'22-'23 Award Recipients

Education Partnerships

Memorial University of Newfoundland
2022-23 Scholarship Recipients

Chancellor's Graduate Award & Fry Family Foundation Graduate Leadership Award - Khatereh Bahmanpour, St. John's
Chancellor's Undergraduate Award & Fry Family Foundation Undergraduate Leadership Award - Courtney Loveless, St. John's

Clarice Diamond Fry Memorial Scholarship - Rhiana Sheppard, Glovertown
Charlotte Penwell Dolimount Memorial Scholarship - Amber Meade, Fortune
Hugh J. Anderson Chemistry Scholarship - Nicholas Qiu, St. John's
J.M.C. Facey Engineering Scholarship - Jocelyn Ralph, Gander
Ralph Vincent Memorial Business Scholarship - Emma White, Corner Brook

School of Music Dean's Scholarship - Bruce Smith, Spaniard's Bay
Dean's Leadership Award in the Faculty of Business Administration - Jessica Jackson, Gander
Dean's Leadership Award in Education - Emily Inder, Grand Falls-Windsor
Dean's Leadership Award in Engineering - Kamal Ali, St. John's

Community Centre Alliance Recipients
FFF CCA Post-Secondary MUN Scholarships are renewable for up to three additional years. Congratulations to this year's award winners and to the students who had their scholarships renewed for 2022-23. Learn more about these exceptional students here.

2022-23 Recipients:
Dr. Philip Warren Exceptional Achievement Scholarship - Baraa Alkhalif, Emily Sheppard
MUN Entrance Scholarship - Erika Meadus
Bob Dawson Post-Secondary Entrance Scholarship - Madison Kennedy
Post-Secondary Entrance Scholarship - Jamila Nahhat, Momoh Octavious

Renewals:
Dr. Philip Warren Exceptional Achievement Scholarship - Justine King, Madison Murrins, Amy Wilcox, Nicholas Yetman, Allison Yetman, Kirsten Yetman
Post-Secondary Entrance Scholarship - Marissa Connors, Sumitra Subedi

We were happy that 2022-23 saw the return to in-person gatherings. We were fortunate to interact with our FFF Alumni at numerous events including The Chancellor's Awards and our FFF 25th Anniversary Celebration. We were also able to to attend ceremonies with the Community Centre Alliance and the Faculties of Business, Engineering and Music. In addition we had the opportunity to host a table of FFF Alumni at the Engineering Charity Ball.

The Chancellor's Awards/Fry Family Foundation Leadership Awards

Khatereh Bahmanpour is the recipient of the Chancellor's Graduate Award and the Fry Family Foundation Graduate Leadership Award. Khatereh is a graduate of the Master of Education program with a major in Curriculum, Teaching and Learning Studies under the supervision of Dr. Dorothy Vaandering. Khatereh had previously earned a bachelor's degree in Physics, followed by a master's degree in Physics in her home country, Iran. She obtained another bachelor's degree in English Literature from Allameh Tabataba'i University (ATU). Khatereh has actively participated in a variety of extracurricular activities, including conferences, presentations, teaching skill enhancement programs, and community services. These involvements primarily revolved around working with undergraduate and international students at MUN and assisting newcomers at the Association for New Canadians, where she currently serves as an ESL instructor; a position that became a pivotal point in her professional journey, allowing Khatereh to teach the knowledge and skills she acquired during the past year as a newcomer in this country to newcomer students. She has also worked at ANC as a volunteer interpreter/translator, helping Afghani Refugees in many circumstances, such as emergency hospital situations, clinical appointments, legal aid appointments, and provincial and supreme court sessions. At MUN Convocation, Khatereh was also the recipient of the Faculty of Education Dean's Graduate Award and the esteemed title of Fellow of the School of Graduate Studies. Learn more about Khatereh Bahmanpour.

Courtney Loveless is the recipient of the Chancellor’s Undergraduate Award and the Fry Family Foundation Undergraduate Leadership Award. Courtney is a graduate of the Bachelor of Arts Honours program with a double major in Psychology and Gender Studies. In her Psychology Honours thesis, Courtney investigated the role of self-compassion in the satisfaction of married Canadians’ sexual relationships. Courtney’s approach to leadership is centered on empowering others and creating an environment where everyone feels valued and supported. As a first-generation university student and student parent, Courtney wants to use her lived experiences to ensure that no one else has to endure the challenges she faced alone. While at Memorial University, Courtney has served on eight boards/committees and held two volunteer roles that supported fellow students’ well-being and success. Courtney believes strongly in giving back to the community and has volunteered hundreds of hours for local organizations that assist marginalized groups or the most vulnerable members––with a particular focus on organizations that would have improved her life in her younger years. Courtney has four current volunteer positions that contribute to the community in different ways––at Planned Parenthood NL Sexual Health Centre (PPNLSHC), Planned Parenthood 2SLGBTQIA+ warmline, Newfoundland & Labrador Sexual Assault Crisis Prevention Centre (NLSACPC), and Thrive CYN. Through her volunteer work and involvement in student organizations, Courtney believes leadership is about serving others and she strives to create a more inclusive and empathetic society. At MUN Convocation, Courtney also received the University Medal for Excellence in Gender Studies, the George M. Story Award in Arts and the Dr. James L. Walker Award.

Ralph Vincent Memorial Business Scholarship

Emma White is the recipient of the Ralph Vincent Memorial Scholarship. Emma is a second-year student in Memorial University's Bachelor of Commerce (Co-op) Program. In 2021, she graduated with honours from Corner Brook Regional High School. Emma is particularly interested in health and wellness. Throughout high school, she competed in a number of team sports, including volleyball, basketball, soccer, and tennis. In addition to organized sports, Emma enjoys physical activity and outdoor pursuits. Throughout her academic life, Emma has achieved various awards and accomplishments including the Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award; and is currently finalizing the Gold Program; JR Smallwood Scholarship Award, and Professional Institute Legacy Foundation Award winner. Emma plans to pursue a career in business with the goal of obtaining international experience and following opportunities within the province.

Hugh J. Anderson Chemistry Scholarship

Nicholas Qiu is the recipient of the Hugh J. Anderson Chemistry Scholarship. Nicholas is a second-year student currently pursuing his Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Chemistry at Memorial University and aspires to study medicine in the future. Nicholas graduated from Holy Heart of Mary High School with honours and completed the International Baccalaureate program. He has been particularly interested in chemistry since high school, winning bronze at the Canada-Wide Science Fair. Nicholas has been conducting organic fluorophore research with Dr. Yuming Zhao at MUN over the last two years and has recently won the NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA). Outside of school, Nicholas likes to go to the gym, play badminton and volunteer at the Health Sciences Centre. Nicholas is planning to continue his research experience in hopes of publishing his research.

JMC Facey Engineering Scholarship

Jocelyn Ralph receives her scholarship from Marie Burt

Jocelyn Ralph is the recipient of the JMC Facey Engineering Scholarship. Jocelyn is a first-year student at Memorial University, currently studying engineering. Jocelyn plans to major in Mechatronics and wishes to pursue a career in the aerospace industry. She graduated with honours from Gander Collegiate where she was also class valedictorian of 2022 and was awarded the Governor General’s Academic Medal. Jocelyn is involved in the community outside her studies, having volunteered with the Gander Rotary and Gander Women’s Centre. In addition to this, Jocelyn is an exceptional dancer. She has been dancing since age 5, competing provincially, nationally, and internationally, and has received scholarships to dance in Greece and Paris.

Clarice Diamond Fry Memorial Scholarship

Rhiana Sheppard is the recipient of the Clarice Diamond Fry Memorial Scholarship. Rhiana is a first year student at Western Regional School of Nursing, MUN Grenfell Campus. She is an honors graduate from Glovertown Academy. Rhiana has a love for sports and being in nature, she was actively involved in basketball, soccer and softball in high school along with dancing at a local dance studio. In addition to athletics, she has spent her life surrounded by music and has been singing in the Kiwanis Music Festival, Terra Nova Park Folk Festival and many local events for a number of years. Rhiana spent her high school years tutoring elementary school children, coaching gymnastics for 5 years and participating in her school's student council. She hopes to better the lives of others through her work and personal lives, with kindness and compassion. Rhiana will continue to pursue a Bachelor of Nursing and hopes to work in obstetrics in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Charlotte Penwell Dolimount Memorial Scholarship

Amber Meade is the recipient of the Charlotte Penwell Dolimount Memorial Scholarship. Amber is a first year nursing student at Memorial University’s Centre for Nursing Studies campus with a passion to make a meaningful contribution in the lives of others. During high school she was involved in volunteer opportunities that allowed her to recognize an attraction to serving and interacting with people of the community. Amber wants to be a nurse because she understands the value of being a hope to people in the most difficult, vulnerable time of their life. Her ultimate goal after completion of a bachelor’s degree is to work in paediatrics and later study to become a paediatric Nurse Practitioner. Read more about Amber.

Dean's Leadership Award in Business

Jessica Jackson is the recipient of the FFF Dean’s Leadership Award in the Faculty of Business Administration. Jessica has just completed her joint Bachelor of Commerce (Co-operative) and Bachelor of Arts Degrees double majoring in Business Administration and Sociology, as well as, obtaining a Certificate in Criminology. Throughout her program, Jessica completed three of her work terms within the Human Resources and Talent Acquisition fields. Moreover, during her time at Memorial University, Jessica was very involved in the student community. Throughout her five years of post-secondary, she has held roles of MUN Commerce 2023 Class President, the 58th Annual Memorial Business Day Chair, a Student Representative of the Business Administration Faculty Council, a Student Representative of the Business Administration Committee on Undergraduate Studies, Cluett Hall Residence Vice-President and was a Co-Founder of the MacPherson College Tower Tip-Off Charity Event. Outside of her academics, Jessica volunteers as a Skate Canada Official and loves travelling and spending time outdoors. Jessica hopes to apply her knowledge and leadership skills developed throughout her university experience to her future professional career. Jessica also received the Faculty of Business Administration Advisory Board B. Comm. (Co-op) Award for Excellence at Convocation.

Dean's Leadership Award in Education

Emily Inder is the recipient of the FFF Dean’s Leadership Award in Education. Emily has spent time using her knowledge in French to explore and continue her learning with the hope to inspire young learners. Following her recent teaching internship, she attended a national conference organized by the Canadian Association of Second Language Teachers (CASLT) which afforded her the opportunity to gain rich experiential knowledge. This experience was invaluable in guiding her future teaching practices. Emily has been successful in leading various recreational programs within the Town of Grand Falls-Windsor where she values building community connections with all members of her community. Her intention is to keep the French language alive in small communities by allowing children to discover French in a fun, inclusive, and educational environment. Outside of school, Emily takes any opportunity she can to travel and see the world. Cultural and language exchange are both integral parts of her lifelong learning. Living in Newfoundland and Labrador, she takes every opportunity to explore the island in order to broaden her perspective and become an impactful educator. She is looking forward to encouraging children in all aspects of their learning by supporting them, guiding them, and forming connections academically, socially and emotionally. Read about Emily's mural project at Woodland Primary School.

Dean's Leadership Award in Engineering

Kamal Ali is the recipient of the FFF Dean's Leadership Award in Engineering. Kamal is a Computer Engineering student (class of '23) with a strong passion for student activities. He started Hack Frost NL to create the opportunity for students at Memorial University to fully experience a large-scale hackathon. Through the support of the university, local companies, and a talented team, Kamal led Hack Frost NL to organize two online hackathons for 200 students each, including high school students. He hopes that these hackathons help students learn skills in a new way while having fun. He currently sits on the advisory board of Hack Frost NL. Currently, Kamal is the Vice Chair of the MUN IEEE Student Branch helping organize gatherings and technical events for Electrical and Computer Engineering students. He is also the Cofounder for the MUN Coders Community where he helps organize coding meetups for students to practice solving challenging programming questions. Kamal believes that this recognition will encourage him to continue seeking new ways to contribute to the student body at Memorial. Kamal was also a finalist for the 2023 MUN Chancellor's Award.

School of Music Dean's Scholarship

Bruce Smith is the recipient of the FFF School of Music Dean’s Scholarship for the 2022-23 scholarship year. Bruce graduated with Honors from Ascension Collegiate, Bay Roberts, NL in June 2022. Music has always been a major part in Bruce’s life since he started piano lessons at 6 years of age. He studies voice, piano, and classical guitar while completing examinations with the Royal Conservatory of Music. Bruce was awarded two gold medals in classical guitar with RCM. He was an active member of the Traditional Ensemble Group at Ascension Collegiate High School and he continues to play for community, church, and fundraising events. Bruce is a member of Refuge, a youth band in St. Matthew’s Church, Bay Roberts. He is a versatile musician playing guitar, piano, drums, and assists with the vocals. Most recently, he offers drum lessons to the youth in his local church.
In April 2022, Bruce received the Junior Instrumental Rose Bowl Runner-Up Award at the St.John’s Kiwanis Festival and competed in the 2022 Provincial Festival. Bruce will attend Memorial University School of Music in September 2022 studying classical guitar.