The OTA Education Foundation’s Selection Committee has selected five recipients for prestigious scholarships sponsored by OTA trucking companies under the Foundation’s Endowed Scholarship Program.
The Bison Transport Scholarship was awarded to Julian Donovan of London, Ont. who is currently enrolled in his third year of an Honours Business Administration degree at the University of Western Ontario’s Ivey Business School. Julian’s career goal is to be a social entrepreneur. He plans to contribute to Canada’s economic success by creating opportunities to facilitate “aligning the talents and ambitions of individuals with fulfilling jobs” as a way of developing human capital locally, and then replicating globally.
The Bison Transport Scholarship is awarded to one post-secondary student who demonstrates an exemplary commitment to his/her academic studies, and who is enrolled in full time studies at a recognized university or college in Canada.
The Erb Group of Companies Service to Community Scholarship was awarded to Kevin Soetemans of Watford, Ont. and an International Relations and Development student at the University of Windsor. Kevin has been an active member of the Watford Branch of the Lambton Organization for Literacy, where he has volunteered every week to help younger students improve their math skills. He also coordinated fundraising to support the construction of a school in Zambia.
The Erb Group of Companies Service to Community Scholarship is awarded to a first-year post-secondary student enrolled in a recognized college or university who demonstrates a commitment to his/her community, through his/her involvement in community and/or charitable volunteer work.
The JD Smith and Sons Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship was awarded to Nicole Soetemans, whose résumé of accomplishments and leadership achievements are too many to list. She is the recipient of her school’s premier award, the I. R. Davis Leadership Award for excellence in academics. Nicole is studying for a degree in Science with an Honours’ Specialization in Chemistry at the University of Western Ontario, and hopes to follow her education with a career that involves being part of new scientific breakthroughs in either pathology or pharmacology.
The J. D. Smith and Sons Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship recognizes one child of a parent who works in the Ontario trucking industry and who as a student demonstrates exemplary leadership qualities through undertakings in his/her community, school or other volunteer work.
The OTA Professional Driver Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Valarie Wood, whose father is a driver for Canada Cartage. Valarie is a third year student enrolled in Forensic Science at Trent University.
The OTA Professional Driver Memorial Scholarship recognizes the hard work, dedication and professionalism of all Ontario truck drivers and honours the memory of those who have lost their lives while driving on-the-job. Applicants must be the child of a commercial driver who has been driving professionally for a minimum of 5 years.
The OTA Allied Trades Division Scholarship was awarded to Lauren Stacey – a fourth year student at Queen’s University where she is studying Global Development. As a person with a minor physical disability, Lauren has come to “understand the flaws in our current health care system, particularly for those individuals who do not have great financial means or social access.” Lauren will pursue a graduate degree in Occupational Therapy, which she hopes will help her aid disadvantaged persons.
The OTA Allied Trades Davison Scholarships are Awarded to one university student and one college student each year, who have completed at least one year of post-secondary education, and who has demonstrated a strong commitment to his/her academic performance.
The OTA Education Foundation’s Endowed Scholarship program is funded entirely by one-time contributions by the organizations for which the scholarships are named. The eligibility and assessment criteria are determined jointly between the endowed fund contributors and the Foundation, who also administers the scholarship program. For more information on the Foundation or to donate, go to: www.otaef.com.
