Loyalist College student Ashley Macdonald awarded the Ontario Remembrance Scholarship

Belleville, Ontario, April 30, 2021 – Loyalist College announced today that Ashley Macdonald, a second-year Paramedic student, has been awarded the Ontario Remembrance Scholarship valued at $10,000.

The Ontario Remembrance Scholarship was launched by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities to honour the lives lost in the crash of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 on January 8, 2020, including 57 Canadians, 34 of whom were employed at or studying in colleges and universities.

Selection for this one-time award was based on students’ community involvement, academic achievement and demonstrated financial need, as well as letters of recommendation and a personal essay.

“The gift of financial assistance for students in pursuit of postsecondary education is a powerful way for the Ministry of Colleges and Universities to commemorate such a tragic loss of life which was deeply felt across the country, throughout our academic communities and around the world,” said Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, Loyalist College President and CEO. “Financial support removes barriers and empowers students to innovate. I’m so pleased and proud that Ashley will have access to this unique opportunity as she completes her education. She has overcome significant obstacles in pursuit of her personal and professional goals, without losing sight of the importance of helping others. Her outstanding commitment to serving her community and her passion for mental health advocacy is truly remarkable.”

Ashley Macdonald, a second-year Paramedic student, has been awarded the Ontario Remembrance Scholarship valued at $10,000.

Ashley is dedicated to fighting the stigma surrounding mental illness and increasing mental wellness resources in health care. As a volunteer Event Medical Responder and Site Lead for the Overdose Outreach Team with St. John Ambulance in Surrey, British Columbia, Ashley devoted her time to assisting individuals struggling with addiction and homelessness. She has participated in educating youth about mental health by using her own experiences to inspire her peers through speaking engagements at schools. Ashley is also a volunteer ski patroller, as well as a tutor and lab assistant for Loyalist College students in the first year of the Paramedic program.

“Climbing a mountain and seeing the view from the top is more beautiful if you struggled to get there and achieved something in the process of climbing,” said Ashley. “There is strength in enduring difficult experiences and learning to thrive. I’m honoured to receive the Ontario Remembrance Scholarship as I continue to climb toward my goals and advocate for greater mental health supports in our health care system.”

Click here to view a video interview with Ashley.

About Loyalist College

Ranked one of Canada’s top 50 research colleges and #1 in the country for industry research income as a percentage of total research income, Loyalist College empowers students, faculty, staff, and partners through experiential, industry cluster-based education, training and applied research programs. As Ontario’s Destination College, the College provides job-ready graduates for, and knowledge transfer to, industry and the community. Of 2017-18 Loyalist graduates, 88.5 percent were employed within six months after graduation. Located on more than 200 acres in the beautiful Bay of Quinte region, the College is perfectly positioned between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. Loyalist College offers more than 70 full-time diploma, certificate and apprenticeship programs in biosciences, building sciences, business, community service, health and wellness, media studies, public safety, and skilled trades. Continuing education options are available through LoyalistFocus.com, including hundreds of online, distance and in-class courses, and through the College’s 100+ university transfer agreements. Loyalist College is a key driver of social and economic health in eastern Ontario. It contributes 3.7 percent of the Gross Regional Product, representing $382 million annually to the regional economy – based on a March 2020 report by Emsi. For more information on Loyalist College’s Belleville, Bancroft and Toronto campuses and Port Hope satellite location, visit YoureGoingPlaces.com.

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Contact: Kerry Lorimer, Director, Marketing, Communications and Recruitment
Loyalist College, klorimer@loyalistcollege.com, 613-969-1913, ext. 2536