The two latest recipients of the Heaslip Scholarship are arts students Mary Germaine and Stephanie Tucker.

Originally from Toronto, philosophy student Ms. Germaine had no connection to Newfoundland before choosing to attend university in St. John’s.

“I thought it would be cool to move halfway across the country to go to university,” she laughed, adding, “I was right, it is pretty cool – I love it here.”

Stephanie Tucker, who is studying communication studies and English, was recommended to apply for Memorial’s largest undergraduate scholarship by senior arts adviser Denise Hooper. Ms. Germaine, on the other hand, heard about the Heaslip from her roommate Sarah Messer who was one of the recipients in 2012.

Both students are in the second year of their arts programs.

“Stephanie is one of those extraordinary students whose obvious enthusiasm and curiosity has a tendency to animate those students around her,” said Dr. Christopher Lockett, a professor in the Department of English Language and Literature. “Her very presence makes the classroom hum with energy.”

Dr. Seamus O’Neill of the Department of Philosophy considers Ms. Germaine a “very bright and motivated student” who has ”strong principles and convictions, but is always open to new ideas and to mature debate and discussion of others’ opinions.”

The  $15,000 award, which is funded by a donation from The William and Nona Heaslip Foundation, is awarded annually to two students who are registered for full-time studies, have scholarship standing, are in financial need and have demonstrated outstanding involvement in university and/or community affairs. Preference is given to those students enrolled in the Faculty of Arts.

Ms. Tucker has just returned from “the most amazing experience” – four weeks in Conegliano, Italy, at the MUN in Italy program initiated by the communications studies program. Now that she has won the Heaslip, she is already making plans to attend a program at Harlow in an upcoming semester. She is also gearing up for her second summer working for Coast 101.1 as the summer cruiser staffer, in between volunteer stints at the SPCA thrift store and a MUCEP position with Memorial's Division of Marketing and Communications.

For her part, Ms. Germaine is “super involved” with the philosophy department. She is the current president of the philosophy students’ society and also has a MUCEP position at the Faculty of Arts’ Writing Centre. This summer she is also helping to plan the third annual Refugee and Immigrant Advisory Council’s (RIAC) summer cultural festival, which will be held in Bowering Park on Aug. 24.

Both students are enthusiastic about their futures armed with arts degrees.

“I love studying arts,” said Ms. Germaine. “I don’t know what I’m going to do with it but I seem to be doing well so far!”

Ms. Tucker agreed.

“People don’t realize how many options you have when you study arts. Just because you might not have a predetermined path, doesn’t mean there isn’t a road for you or you’re not going to go somewhere.”

In other Heaslip-related news, Juliette Ryan and Mary McLevey, the 2011 scholarship winners, were given their final renewals. Renewals were also given to Robert Roach and Sarah Messer, the 2012 scholarship winners.