The first recipients of the Dean’s Admission Scholarship for the Arts were celebrated recently at a special event hosted by the Faculty of Arts and Science.

A total of 188 students received the new scholarships for the 2015-16 academic year, which was open to all students in the Bachelor of Arts Honours Program with an average of 88.5-89.9 per cent.

Dean Susan Mumm spoke of the importance of the scholarships in helping to bring “the best” to Queen’s adding that alumni have played a vital role in providing the necessary financial support.

“Asking alumni to give to student scholarships is one of the most fun jobs a dean has because alumni respond really well,” Dean Mumm said at the event. “They can remember what it is like to be a student and not have much money. They want to help the next generation succeed so Canada has its next generation of leaders.”

An example of the difference the scholarships can make was provided by student Skyler McArthur-O’Blenes who said that the support allowed him to stay close to home and be near his family soon after finding out that his father had been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Like the other recipients, his goal was achieved through hard work and he is hopeful that through this a new community is being formed within the Faculty.

The dean and the faculty look forward to a larger event next year when the scholarships are extended to Bachelor of Science Honours students within the 88.5-88.9 per cent range as well.

“We know we attract top-level students at Queen’s,” says Dean Mumm. “This helps us continue that and gives us a competitive advantage in a very competitive landscape.”