Mount Allison University international relations alumnus Jonathan Ferguson is a recipient of the McCall MacBain Scholarship, Canada’s first comprehensive leadership-based scholarship program for master’s and professional studies at McGill University. He is among 20 Canadian recipients of the McCall McBain scholarship.

“I was shocked. I think I still am shocked. I was working from home when I got the news,” says Ferguson. “My roommate was gone, so I shared the news with his cat and then called my parents and sister.”

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.

“Final interviews were truly so much fun,” says Ferguson. “Finalists 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.”

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

“Similarly, it was very humbling to be interviewed by hardworking community leaders who took the time to contribute to this process,” says Ferguson. “Realizing 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.”

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

“This 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.”

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

“It 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!”

Read more about Ferguson’s story and the McCall MacBain Scholarship. 

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