Celebrating 50 Years

On Monday, November 6, 2017, at Canada House, London, the Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund celebrated its 50th anniversary. Scholars, past and present, supporters, committee members and friends living in the UK, joined to mark this historic event.

The Canadian High Commissioner for Canada to the UK, Her Excellency, Janice Charette, welcomed the assembled guests, complimenting the CCSF for its efforts in supporting outstanding Canadians pursuing academic and artistic postgraduate studies in the UK. She expressed optimism around the students’ contribution to Canada’s bright future.

Jill Cannon, CCSF Chair, in thanking supporters, emphasised the vital role played by the Maple Leaf Trust in coordinating donor support. Jill highlighted the crucial services of countless past and present CCSF Trustees and committee members, all volunteers, and gave special mention to Julia Montgomery and Deborah Bowsher, longstanding committee members.

Jill then introduced the evening’s special guest, Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England – a Canadian who, like CCSF scholars, had come to the United Kingdom to pursue postgraduate studies. His words of wisdom to scholars were insightful and inspiring.

The evening continued with brief remarks from two recent scholars, Joana Cook and Louis-David Lord, who described how the CCSF’s awards enabled them to pursue their academic ambitions. A spectacular trio of musical performances from former scholars: Charis Hanning, Barbara Cole Walton, Gillian Keith, Carson Becke and Warren Zielinski concluded the formal part of the evening. Following the musical performances, guests were invited to remain and meet the many scholars, past and present in attendance.

The anniversary celebration affirmed the special relationship between scholars and supporters and the strong connection within the Canadian community who, for over fifty years, has generously supported some of Canada’s best and brightest scholars.

The CCSF is very grateful to all those who attended the celebration and contributed to such a memorable evening. Please enjoy seeing some of the photos taken that evening here.

Special thanks is given to past scholars who contributed profiles and photos for our celebratory programme, which you can download here: CCSF 50th Anniversary Programme

Please enjoy this gallery of photos taken at the CCSF 50th Anniversary event in November 2017.