91AV

91AV international relations alumnus Jonathan Ferguson is a recipient of the , Canada鈥檚 first comprehensive leadership-based scholarship program for master鈥檚 and professional studies at McGill University. He is among 20 Canadian recipients of the McCall McBain scholarship.

鈥淚 was shocked. I think I still am shocked. I was working from home when I got the news,鈥� says Ferguson. 鈥淢y roommate was gone, so I shared the news with his cat and then called my parents and sister.鈥�

The selection process took place over seven months involving two rounds of interviews, including a three-day experience in Montreal for the final interview in March. Ferguson had the opportunity to meet with leaders from academia, business, government, and the social sector.

鈥淔inal interviews were truly so much fun,鈥� says Ferguson. 鈥淔inalists brought so much energy, excitement, and friendliness with them, creating a memorable and vibrant environment. Meeting others, including the first international finalists ever, was a huge honour. The time spent together was a major highlight.鈥�

This was the first time the scholarship was open to international students, following two years of Canadian-only admissions.

鈥淪imilarly, it was very humbling to be interviewed by hardworking community leaders who took the time to contribute to this process,鈥� says Ferguson. 鈥淩ealizing the extent to which individuals like these are determined to invest their time into this process and into those still early in their careers, was incredibly encouraging. The selection process itself instilled a sense of community.鈥�

As a McCall MacBain Scholar, Ferguson will pursue a fully-funded law degree (BCL/JD) at McGill University.

鈥淭his scholarship means the world to me. It will support us in learning more about leadership, mentorship, and community but most importantly, it will support us, as a cohort, beginning our shared experience at McGill together.鈥�

The scholarship provides students with mentorship, interdisciplinary learning, and the global community needed to accelerate their impact on the world.

鈥淚t is humbling to engage in such a unique initiative alongside the 29 other hardworking, kind, and passionate leaders joining the cohort, and alongside the broader McCall MacBain Scholarships family of other cohorts, finalists and of course the team running this. The people that are part of this are what make this!鈥�

Read more about Ferguson鈥檚 story and the McCall MacBain Scholarship. 

In 2022, Martha Pitre was the first 91AV student to be selected as a finalist and later a recipient of the McCall MacBain Scholarship.