Those who leave a legacy gift to McGill are encouraged to fund the initiatives that mean the most to them. For many, that means supporting life-changing research, excellence in athletics, a Faculty, or future scholars.
Year after year, thanks to the transformative power of legacy giving, McGill donors fund scholarships and bursaries for some of McGill’s most deserving students.
They provide exceptional young minds with the opportunities of a lifetime. Whether it’s the chance to conduct international research, engage in experiential learning, or simply provide the financial freedom to pursue rigorous academics, student recipients are forever grateful to the donors that made it possible.
Here are just a few student stories from the 2021-22 academic year.
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I would like to express my sincere gratitude for receiving the Franz and Judith Kunz Fellowship in Humanities, which allowed me to extend a research stay in Paris for my PhD in French literature.
I conducted research at several national libraries, took on enriching teaching opportunities, and developed contacts with researchers working in my field. I also presented my research at two academic events, providing the occasion to meet and discuss my research with experts in the scientific community.
This stay has been an incredible opportunity, and I am immensely grateful for the financial support provided by this Fellowship.”
Marie Raulier, MA’18, current PhD candidate in French language and literature and recipient of the Franz and Judith Kunz Fellowship in Humanities. Established in 2011 with the generous bequest of Prof. Frank A. Kunz, MA’61, PhD’63, it has aided 50 graduate students thus far.
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91: The number of donors who gave the gift of a lifetime in 2021-22.
$8.6M: The total amount of legacy gifts received in 2021-22.
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I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation as a recipient of the Hans Josef and Klaus Jochem Bursary. I had the opportunity to study earthquake engineering, building design, and numerical modelling under the supervision of Prof. Colin A. Rogers. The award allowed me to focus on my research, and relieved many of my financial concerns. With my deepest gratitude, thank you for your generous support.”
Mohamed Afifi, PhD’21, recipient of the Hans Josef and Klaus Jochem Bursary. Established through Klaus Jochem‘s generous bequest in 2018, it has helped 37 students thus far.
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In 2021-22, legacy donors’ support went to:
20%: Education that shapes future-ready students
19%: Opportunities that open doors
18%: Research that changes lives
7%: Innovation that drives progress
36%: Other
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I am humbled and grateful to be a recipient of the T. F. Rose Bursary as I enter the wonderful, stressful, and rewarding period of clinical clerkship. The learning curve has been steep, but it has shown me the privilege and role I have in the health care system as a future physician.
Thank you for this generosity and kindness, and for making a difference in the lives of medical learners. Being able to do this without the burden of feeling that I should be working or seeking funding is truly priceless.”
Athena Ko, MDCM’22, recipient of the T. F. Rose Bursary. The Bursary was established in 2010 through the generous bequest of Sylvia Rose and has helped fund 65 undergraduate students thus far.
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97: The number of donors who pledged a legacy gift in 2021-22 and joined the 200 for 200 Legacy Challenge.
64: The number of members who joined McGill’s 1821 and Macdonald Legacy Societies in 2021-22. There are now 648 members in total.
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As an international student, finding a source of income has been a struggle. Most grants are not accessible to me, and it has been difficult to find funding outside of my work as a teaching assistant and the grant I receive from my professor. Thanks to the Alexandra Irwin Cowie Fellowship I received a supplementary source of funding, which allowed me to pay my tuition.”
Alexandra Berger, BSc’20, Master of Science student. Recipient of the Alexandra Irwin Cowie Fellowship. Established by a legacy gift from Alexandra Irwin Cowie, BSc’50, in 2010, it has aided 68 students so far!
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Support McGill’s Third Century. Leave a legacy gift today.