I will never forget the moment I found out I had received the scholarship. It’s etched into my memory.

Just the day before, we had finally submitted my high school results to MacEwan after weeks of waiting. 

The next morning, when I woke up, I saw a notification on my phone. Still groggy, I opened the email and there it was: confirmation that I had been awarded a scholarship. I froze for a second in disbelief, then leapt up and ran straight to my parents’ room. We stood there together, hugging, crying and laughing all at once. It was a moment of pure joy.

In that instant, everything changed. The weight of uncertainty lifted, and I was overwhelmed with relief, pride and deep gratitude. It wasn’t just financial support, it was recognition. It meant that the long nights, the setbacks and the perseverance had all been worth it. Someone believed in me. That moment became a turning point, not just in my academic journey, but in how I saw myself. It reminded me that I wasn’t alone and that I had every reason to keep moving forward with hope and confidence.

– Emmanuel Ogbondeminu, Bachelor of Science student 

Scholarships, awards and bursaries like the one Emmanuel received are made possible, in part, through the generosity of MacEwan faculty and staff who contribute to the university’s Students First campaign, which is just wrapping up its 2025 appeal.