OTA Education Foundation announces scholarship winners

Avatar photo

TORONTO, Ont. — Six lucky students have been awarded scholarships as part of the OTA Education Foundation’s endowed scholarship program.

The Bison Transport Scholarship was awarded to Cam Brubacher, a resident of Milverton, Ont. who is currently enrolled in his third year of an Honours Concurrent Education program at Wilfrid Laurier University. Officials say Brubacher is working towards becoming a teacher, noting in his letter to the selection committee, “I want to set a good role model for students.”

The award is given 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 Dunk, a resident of Warkworth, Ont. and a Construction Engineering Technician student at Algonquin College. Dunk has been an active member of Scouting for 10 years, and has helped with several Scouting events. He has also volunteered extensively for the local hockey association, the town of Warkworth, his high school and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

The award is give 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 J.D. Smith and Sons “Leaders of Tomorrow” Scholarship was awarded to Kelly Nelson, whose father is an owner/operator for a Mississauga trucking company. Nelson is a resident of Tyrone, Ont., and is enrolled in the third year of studies at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, N.S., where she is working towards an advanced major in mathematics. Officials say leadership abilities are clearly demonstrated through her numerous roles both in and out of school. Nelson was named valedictorian of her grade 8 class, was “prime minister” of her high school’s student council, and was selected as one of the 2010 Faces of the Future in high school. In university, she served as a resident assistant, and is co-president of the university’s Math Society, and is now serving as a residence House Director.

The J.D. Smith and Sons “Leaders of Tomorrow” Scholarship recognizes one student each year who is the child of a parent who works in the Ontario trucking industry, and who demonstrates exemplary leadership qualities through undertakings in his/her community, school or other volunteer work.

The OTA Professional Driver Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Sylvia Gurczak, whose father is an owner/operator for Empire Transportation of Grimsby, Ont. Gurczak is a third year student enrolled in Information and Media Studies at the University of Western Ontario and hopes to work in advertising or for a publication upon graduating. In her essay to the selection committee, Gurczak spoke of her father’s “dedication, professional and hard work” and his belief that safety is critical to success.

The OTA Professional Driver Memorial Scholarship is intended to recognize 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 five years.

The OTA Allied Trades Division Scholarships were awarded to one university and one college student. Kevin McIlvenna, a resident of Smiths Falls, Ont. and a fourth-year student at Queen’s University received the University scholarship. McIlvenna is pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce degree, along with a professional accounting designation, and has already set his sights on obtaining a MBA degree, according to Foundation officials.

Megan Tilley, a resident of Oakville, Ont. and a second-year student in Sheridan College’s Journalism program has already completed a four-year Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Ottawa, and is the recipient of the division’s College scholarship. Armed with her diploma in print journalism, Tilley hopes to land a job in magazine publishing where she can hone her skills as a writer, editor and page designer.

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.

For more information, visit www.ontruck.org/educationfoundation.

Avatar photo

Truck News is Canada's leading trucking newspaper - news and information for trucking companies, owner/operators, truck drivers and logistics professionals working in the Canadian trucking industry.


Have your say


This is a moderated forum. Comments will no longer be published unless they are accompanied by a first and last name and a verifiable email address. (Today's Trucking will not publish or share the email address.) Profane language and content deemed to be libelous, racist, or threatening in nature will not be published under any circumstances.

*