Schulich Alumni Support BIPOC Students Through Entrance Awards
In commemorating Black History Month, we are excited to welcome BBA candidates Ana Cassemiro and Naomi Nigusie this coming Fall, made possible through the support from the Wajeeha and Najeeb Family Award and Badrul and Ayesha Haque Family Award.
The awards were established in 2022 by husband-and-wife Nidal Haque (BBA ’15) and Risham Najeeb (BBA ’18), in honour of their parents. They are given to incoming BBA domestic students with preference given to students who self-identify as Black or Indigenous or who have displayed exemplary efforts to elevate BIPOC communities.
“Being immigrants to Canada and Schulich alumni, both of us know how meaningful of a difference financial assistance can make in a student’s life,” said Haque and Najeeb. “We always wanted to be able to pass on the support that we were once given and are grateful and humbled to be able to do so with the scholarships. It is also rewarding to be able to see the incredible profiles of the students that the scholarships are able to support.”
“This scholarship not only assists my financial situation, but it also lessens the burden of financial stresses,” said Cassemiro, recipient of the Badrul and Ayesha Haque Family Award. “I have immense appreciation for the support your family has given the school, and the opportunities you are handing to students through this award”.
“I would like to express my deep gratitude for your generosity in awarding me with the Wajeeha and Najeeb Award, which has allowed me to work less and focus more on my studies,” said Nigusie, recipient of the Wajeeha and Najeeb Family Award. “As someone who values community bonding, I am learning from extreme acts of kindness like yours. This experience is showing me what support really looks like, pushing me to learn how I can support those around me with the resources I have right now.”
To learn more about establishing a named award, please email Catherine Hardman, Director of Philanthropic Engagement chardman@schulich.yorku.ca.