Dean Ozanne credits his parents, Roy and Eva Ozanne, with instilling in him an interest in conservation, an appreciation of the outdoors and an understanding of the importance of maintaining a wild world for future generations.

It’s why two new scholarships created by the Ozanne family aim not only to support students pursuing a future in biological sciences, but also help connect the knowledge those same students acquire in the classroom with real-world volunteer experiences tied to conservation.

“We wanted to provide the financial support that will help MacEwan University attract top students, make it easier for them to pursue graduate studies and offer an experience for them to see conservation in action,” explains Mr. Ozanne. “I really do believe that education makes a difference, and that young, educated people can change the world.”

It’s a sentiment shared by Dr. Annette Trimbee, MacEwan’s president and vice-chancellor. “We are incredibly grateful for this thoughtful and generous donation,” she says. “As someone who benefitted from scholarships in my own undergraduate and graduate education in biological sciences, I truly understand the difference these awards will make. Knowing our students, I can’t help but echo Mr. Ozanne – our students have so much potential to go on and bring meaningful change to their communities and the world.” 

This fall, the Dean and Nina Ozanne Academic Excellence Award in Biological Sciences, which covers all costs for tuition and books, was awarded for the first time to Megan Foxcroft, the top-performing third-year Bachelor of Science student pursuing a Biological Sciences major. Foxcroft, who is in the molecular biology stream of the program, plans to go on to graduate school and study medicine. 

“I feel so honoured,” she says. “The size of this award and the support it provides will make going to graduate school a real possibility.” 

A second award, the Roy and Eva Ozanne Academic Excellence Award in Biological Sciences, is also available to recipients of the Dean and Nina Ozanne award who maintain a minimum 3.7 grade point average and fulfill the award’s volunteer requirements – which has recipients dedicate at least 10 volunteer hours per term to the Sherwood Park Fish and Game Association. 

“Both of my parents were heavily involved in conservation and the outdoors, and the Alberta Fish and Game Association’s work to promote wild places has been a shared passion for our family since the 1960s,” says Mr. Ozanne. “I hope this volunteer experience will enhance their learning and possibly open their eyes to a new area of interest.” 

Volunteering with the organization’s Sherwood Park branch is an opportunity Foxcroft looks forward to. 

“I really think it’s awesome that volunteering is part of this award,” she says. “I already volunteer with a couple of organizations, but the Sherwood Park Fish and Game Association isn’t necessarily an opportunity I would have sought out on my own. It’s a little bit outside of my comfort zone, but I’m excited about getting out into the community to help in a different way and I think there is a lot I will take away from the experience.”

Mr. Ozanne agrees that there is much to be taken from any volunteer experience, including a leg up in a competitive employment environment. 

“I’ve hired hundreds of university graduates over the years, and candidates who volunteer stand out,” says the president and CEO of Guernsey Financial Consulting who also spent 13 years working with ATB Financial. “It’s also an important way to get involved and give back to the community where you live – something I’ve always tried to do in the many different places I’ve called home.”