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Scholarship Opportunities

The Shannon Burwash Memorial Awards for Equine and Agricultural Studies

In May of 2014, Dr. Wayne Burwash launched the Shannon Burwash Memorial Award for Equine and Agricultural Studies at The Calgary Foundation, to honor the legacy of Shannon’s love for the horse and her contribution to the horse industry. 

Each year the number of scholarship applications received far exceeds funds available for distribution, and the cost of higher education continues to rise. One of the most impactful ways to address this challenge is funding scholarship awards.

Gifts to a scholarship fund are not spent; they generate interest income which is used to award scholarships. Your support is an investment in the future of our industry as deserving students develop into the leaders of tomorrow.

This is the fifth year that scholarships have been awarded since Shannon’s passing in 2013, totaling $23,000 to date. Congratulations to all the recipients and best wishes for rewarding careers involving the horse.

Shannon Burwash with "Oprah" (Lopin Foran Invite) Credit: Holy Nicole Photography

The overall goal was to raise $125,000 so the fund can keep generating annual awards into the future. Dr. Burwash’s personal commitment to this goal was that he matched all other donors’ contributions to a maximum of $62,500. Dr. Burwash is most appreciative of all the generous donors to date.

As of 2019, the fund reached its target goal of $125,000, but welcomes further donations so that it may increase the number of scholarships awarded annually,

Shannon Burwash was a leader and a lover of the horse industry across Canada. To honour her legacy,  scholarships will continue to be awarded to deserving students who are focused on getting a post-secondary education, and being involved in the horse industry in their future.

Apply by midnight, June 1st, annually

Awards Overview:

Three annual Scholarships will be distributed each calendar year. Preference will be given to eligible, full-time, post-secondary students whose studies have emphasis on the horse, agriculture, agri-business or equine veterinary medicine.

  1. Shannon Burwash Award for Leadership and Excellence in Equine, Agri-Business and/or Agricultural Studies
    One award valued at $2,000. For students entering more advanced years of study (third year and beyond) in any field of study with emphasis on horses, agriculture, agribusiness, animal health technology, or equine veterinary medicine at an accredited Canadian post-secondary institution. Eligibility criteria and application details are available at The Calgary Foundation’s website. Click here for Undergraduate & Graduate Awards.
  2. Shannon Burwash Award for for Encouragement in Equine, Agri-Business and/or Agricultural Studies

    Two awards valued at $1,000 each. For students entering first or second year of study at a Canadian post-secondary institution in any field of study with emphasis on horses, agriculture, agri-business, animal health technology or equine veterinary medicine. Eligibility criteria and application details are available at the Calgary Foundation’s website. Click here for High School & First Year Student Awards.

Application Procedure:

To apply, all students must visit The Calgary Foundation website at either of the blue underlined links indicated above. 

Help us continue to provide these awards into the future with a donation to the Shannon Burwash Memorial Awards for Equine and Agricultural Studies

To Donate

    Online:  Visit https://payment.csfm.com/donations/calgaryfoundation/, choose  DONATE  at top, right hand side of the webpage, click on the link for “Donate to an Existing Fund”, and then search the drop-down menu for “Shannon Burwash Memorial Fund for Equine and and Agricultural Studies (listed alphabetically). VISA and MasterCard are accepted. 

    By Phone:  To pay by credit card over the phone, call 403-802-7700 during office hours 8:00am – 4:00pm.  Please do not leave your credit card number on voicemail.

    In Person:  The Calgary Foundation, Kahanoff Centre, #1180, 105 12 Ave. SE, Calgary during office hours.

    By Mail:  Cheque payable to The Calgary Foundation, indicating “Shannon Burwash Memorial Award” in the memo section.  Mail to: The Calgary Foundation, #1180, 105 12 Ave., SE, Calgary, AB. T2G 1A1

    Tax Receipts for Donations: A Canadian tax receipt will be issued for donations over $25

For more information, contact Ms. Darlene Chrapko, Student Awards Officer, at The Calgary Foundation at Telephone: 403-802-7711 or
Email: dchrapko@calgaryfoundation.org

For more information please contact:

 Dr. Wayne Burwash

Chair, CQHA Burwash Scholarship Committee

Email address: wburwash@burwash.ca