An outstanding chemistry scholar who insists on giving credit to others for her accomplishments is one of six recipients in this year's Sherwood Lett Competition, the premier scholarships for senior undergraduates at UBC.
Fahreen Dossa graduates next month with a combined honours bachelor of science degree in chemistry and biochemistry.
"It's not just about me. When you accomplish something, you don't accomplish it alone," says Dossa.
Dossa won the Sherwood Lett Memorial Scholarship, named in honour of the late chief justice of B.C. and first president of UBC's Alma Mater Society. The scholarship carries a $5,000 prize.
Dossa says that both Science One, a first-year interdisciplinary program and her exchange studies at Lund University in Sweden shaped her learning philosophy.
"The crucial part is in both instances I was learning in a community of learners. I learned from my peers as much as from my professors," says Dossa.
Dossa hopes to join Canadian Crossroads International for a four-month posting in West Africa before pursuing a PhD in chemistry on a scholarship at Cambridge.
Third-year Law student Kim Stanton, who has been in the top 10 per cent of her Law class, receives the $7,000 John H. Mitchell Memorial scholarship.
She graduates May 28, but doesn't necessarily plan to practise law.
A community activist with a passion for human rights since she was 16, Stanton says she came to law school for legal training to help her affect change.
"I think we need to find ways to make the law effective for people," Stanton says. "Going to court isn't always the answer. Educating people about their rights and educating law-makers about the impact of law on people is effective too."
Stanton will article at the B. C. Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC).
A non-profit organization providing legal representation and advocacy support to public interest groups, PIAC is currently representing the B. C. Civil Liberties Union at the APEC hearings.
Winnipeg native Jenna Newman leaves UBC next month with a bachelor's degree in honours English and the $3,500 Amy E. Sauder scholarship.
Newman, who has financed her education through scholarships, hopes to earn a PhD after taking a year or two off and eventually plans to be a writer of contemporary fiction.
"My critical thinking and writing skills developed immensely through interaction with my professors and classmates," says Newman.
Other Lett winners this year include: fourth-year medical student Laura Bennion, C. K. Choi Scholarship ($7,500); Kristine Chambers, fourth-year Human Kinetics, Harry Logan Memorial Scholarship ($5,000); Kibben Jackson, third-year Law, Jean Craig Smith scholarship ($2,000).
Last year, UBC awarded more than $19 million in scholarships, fellowships, awards and prizes to UBC students.