Joshua Bond is one of the University of Manitoba's 2020 Schulich Leaders Scholarship recipients. He is studying mechanical engineering in the Price Faculty of Engineering.
Meet this year’s Schulich Leaders: Joshua Bond
As one of the University of Manitoba’s 2020 Schulich Leaders, Joshua Bond has been recognized for his high achievements in academics, community service, sports and music.
In high school, Bond excelled in all subjects, but his passion was math and physics. The talented percussionist also excelled on the volleyball court, helping lead the team to the AAAA provincial finals.
As a first year mechanical engineering student in the Price Faculty of Engineering, Bond wants to use his varied experiences to design solutions to some of the world’s problems.
“There is a lot of teamwork and creativity required in mechanical engineering, and I think that I will enjoy that aspect of it. The idea of designing and creating something from start to finish is one that is greatly interesting to me, and I think mechanical engineering best enables me to pursue that interest,” says Bond, who is also excited about making connections with like-minded people at university.
Bond brings with him the experiences he gained as part of a team that competed in the Manitoba Envirothon, an annual hands-on environmental education competition for high school students. The competition saw him and his four teammates win the provincial competition and represent the province in the 2019 international competition.
“Firstly, I learned how to work quickly with a team to accomplish a goal, something that I believe will help me with engineering. Secondly I was exposed to the realities of and issues with our interactions with the environment here in Manitoba, most notably agriculture and sustainability efforts. With an engineering degree I hope to be able to help solve these issues, at least in part.”
Through it all, Bond has woven a thread of community service into his accomplishments.
A dedicated volunteer through Keira’s Krusade, a charity started by and named for his sister who passed away from brain cancer when she was 11, Bond has helped raise over $83,000 for CancerCare Manitoba in support of pediatric brain cancer research. He has also assembled and delivered monthly care packages to children who are living with cancer, and their families. “As I have a strong personal connection with Keira’s Krusade, it is immensely valuable to me that I continue my sister’s legacy and work toward the goal of improving the lives of children diagnosed with cancer that was also so important to her,” says Bond.
Bond is not only a team player; he is also a leader. He has organized a Christmas concert for the past two years for patients at Grace Hospital and Grace Hospice, recruiting his friends and playing alongside them in an effort to bring joy to people experiencing challenging situations.
“I think the great thing about community service is that everyone wins,” says Bond. “For me, involving myself in the community helps me to meet new people, and also gives me a feeling of satisfaction that I am making a difference, though it may be small. The whole community benefits when those that are the most vulnerable receive help.”
So what does becoming a Schulich Leader and receiving $100,000 to support him over the four years of his engineering degree mean to him?
“Being a Schulich Leader is very exciting. It gives me an opportunity to meet other leaders and make connections, as well as motivation to pursue my goal of becoming an engineer,” says Bond.
“This scholarship will have a monumental impact on my years in university and subsequently my life to come,” he continues. “Because of the financial benefits, I will not have to work much, if at all, during university, allowing me to spend more time on my studies and community involvement. I believe that this will open many doors for me down the road.”
The Schulich Leadership Scholarship is awarded every year to 50 students enrolling in a STEM program at a Canadian university. Bond was chosen for the entrance award based on his outstanding academic record, leadership and community service. He is one of two UM students to receive the award this year. The other is Shubhneet Thind, read about her here.