TMU receives $10 million McCall MacBain gift for Tmu scholarships
Toronto Metropolitan University said Tuesday that the McCall MacBain Foundation gave it $10 million for renewable scholarships for health-care students, a gift tied to tmu programs in nursing, midwifery, social work, public health and nutrition. The university said the awards will help 300 students over the next decade before the fund continues indefinitely.
The McCall MacBain Community Health Awards will be worth $8,500 a year and go to Canadian citizens and permanent residents based on academic merit, financial need and community engagement. At least 30 students will receive scholarships each year, and the endowment will later support four new nursing students annually.
Mohamed Lachemi on TMU
TMU president Mohamed Lachemi welcomed the gift and said it will empower “excellence in the next generation of talented health-care professionals” and “contribute to an increase in the capacity for comprehensive care.” He also said, “These awards will be incredibly impactful for students at TMU.”
Lachemi added that “Financial barriers connected to the costs of education remain the primary obstacle to post-secondary success” and said, “By alleviating some of the financial stress, we will ensure that a student’s potential is not limited by their economic circumstances.”
McCall MacBain Foundation support
Alexandra Conliffe, the foundation’s chief executive officer, said, “We hope this program will make it possible for committed students to pursue clinical excellence and build thriving careers as health-care leaders to meet the growing needs in their communities.” The donation is the largest single investment in student scholarships in TMU’s history.
The awards are being placed in a faculty that the university said has among the highest proportion of students demonstrating financial need. Ontario lifted a seven-year tuition freeze in February and overhauled OSAP, capping non-repayable grants at 25 per cent, as post-secondary costs continue to rise.
Health-care students at TMU
The foundation was established in 2007 by Canadians John and Marcy McCall MacBain from the proceeds of the sale of Trader Classified Media. TMU said the foundation has focused largely on scholarships and invests in 40 programs around the world, including prior support for the university’s Peer Support program.
For students in the affected programs, the new awards mean a renewable $8,500 annual scholarship that can continue for multiple years, with eligibility limited to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. The first decade is set to reach 300 students, then the fund is designed to keep going with yearly nursing support after that.
