William Curran Scholarship

Award a scholarship to graduate students at the Faculty of Education, who demonstrate both financial need and a great potential in their field of study.

This scholarship was generously created by Mr. William Curran. In the spring of 1976, Mr. Curran was admitted to the M.Ed. program at the University of Ottawa. Although he intended to begin courses that summer, he had just completed a Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language at Concordia University and was offered a teaching position in Concordia’s Continuing Education division for the summer. Upon enrolling at the University of Ottawa in September, he was overjoyed by the professionalism, the scholarly values and the warmth he found in the Faculty of Education at the University of Ottawa. Under the guidance of professors, Mr. Curran had the opportunity to grow intellectually and to develop lifelong learning skills that have served him very well throughout his career. The Graduate Program Director at the time, Dr. Mary T. Mulcahy, was a tremendous mentor to him and became a valued, life-long friend. Mr. Curran emerged from his studies at the University of Ottawa confident in his academic abilities and optimistic about his future. Of all the universities he attended, none provided the intellectual challenge, the encouragement, and the mentorship that he received at the University of Ottawa. In 2008, he was welcomed back to his alma mater when he was appointed Adjunct Professor in the new School of Information Studies at the University of Ottawa, where he has taught ever since.

Mr. Curran’s motive for establishing a scholarship at this time is to help current students pursue their studies knowing that some financial assistance is available to them. If this scholarship can help committed students pursue their studies, complete their programs, graduate from the University and make their dreams a reality, his gift will have served its purpose.