Brock scholarships support 59 Niagara high school grads

A young man in a blue Brock University hoodie holds a box that says congratulations on it.

Ben Walker, who will graduate from Port Colborne High School this spring and begin classes at Brock in the fall, is one of 59 recipients of the University’s 2022 Niagara Principal’s Scholarships.

Nearly 60 local high school students have received a boost from Brock University that will help them pursue their post-secondary dreams.

For the seventh consecutive year, the University has presented the Niagara Principal’s Scholarships to two students from nearly every public, Catholic and private secondary school in the region. The entrance scholarships are given to graduating high school students who have demonstrated not only high academic results, but also strong community engagement.

Brock welcomed this year’s recipients to campus on Tuesday, May 17 for a ceremony in their honour, following two years of virtual presentations.

Since the award’s inception, the University has contributed more than $1 million to local high school students, including $147,500 in funding for 2022.

The scholarships are intended to not only provide students support on their academic journey, but to also nurture their continued development as engaged citizens, said Brock Interim President and Vice-Chancellor Lynn Wells.

“Brock is committed to the future of the Niagara region and that includes investing in the leaders of tomorrow,” she said. “We’re proud to support these talented young individuals on their paths to success and look forward to all that they will accomplish in the coming years as they continue to grow their involvement locally and on campus.”

Ben Walker, who graduates this spring from Port Colborne High School, was honoured to receive the scholarship and have his efforts both in school and in the community recognized.

“It was amazing to be able to have that experience, engaging with other future Brock leaders,” he said of Tuesday’s event. “I am looking forward to becoming a Brock student.”

Walker will begin his time in the University’s Concurrent Education program this fall.

“I chose Brock because I love the feel of the campus,” he said. “It feels like I can be my truest self at Brock University.”

Walker said he hopes to hit the ground running in September, joining extracurricular activities and student life initiatives on campus, and further developing his leadership skills through various Brock opportunities.

In addition to being individually honoured at the ceremony, scholarship recipients were each gifted an awards box filled with Brock University gear and items to get their post-secondary experience off on the right foot.

“It was so exciting for everyone involved to be able to honour this year’s group in person,” said Carly Dugo, Recruitment Officer, Campus Initiatives. “This was our chance to give these rising stars a warm Brock welcome while recognizing their efforts in front of their families and future peers.”

The scholarships were presented as part of Brock’s inaugural Niagara Applicants’ Reception, held to welcome local applicants to campus to get a taste of their future Brock experience. Similar events are held in communities across Ontario, connecting applicants with Brock ambassadors to talk about the next steps in their journey.

Recipients of the 2022 Niagara Principal’s Scholarships: