Dr. Gary McPherson Leadership Scholarship

The Dr. Gary McPherson Leadership Scholarship honors Dr. Gary McPherson, an extraordinary Albertan who dedicated his life to improving conditions for people with disabilities. Despite being paralyzed due to polio, McPherson was a sports enthusiast who helped transform wheelchair sports into the worldwide Paralympic movement. He served as Chair of the Premier's Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities and Vice-Chair of the Alberta Paraplegic Foundation, receiving prestigious awards including the Order of Canada, Queen's Jubilee Medal, and Alberta Order of Excellence. This scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate outstanding leadership, particularly in the area of disability, and show initiative to improve the lives of others while attending publicly-funded post-secondary institutions in Alberta. The award supports full-time students enrolled in undergraduate, professional, graduate, apprenticeship, diploma, or certificate programs. Applicants must be Canadian citizens, Permanent Residents, or Protected Persons who are Alberta residents, enrolled full-time at a publicly-funded institution in Alberta, and in satisfactory academic standing. The scholarship continues Dr. McPherson's legacy of promoting community development and supporting young people.