Campion College alumna Lindsay Weichel (BA Hons. '03, Linguistics) was named a Rhodes Scholar and will begin her studies at Oxford in October 2006.
"It's amazing. It was a huge surprise. I feel very lucky and honoured [to have been selected]," said Weichel.
A UR scholar, Weichel excelled in her undergraduate studies, receiving the Reverend Gerald F. Lahey, SJ Prize for most outstanding graduate at Campion College in 2003.
"Lindsay is one of the brightest students I have ever taught in a first-year English class. She has always been conscientious in her studies and very determined, but at the same time very modest," said Samira McCarthy, Dean, Campion College.
Weichel is currently a graduate student in the First Nations University of Canada Linguistics program at the University of Regina. She plans to complete her thesis on Pokomchi', an aboriginal Guatemalan language, in the Spring of 2006.
Weichel's main area of interest has been the preservation of aboriginal languages and plans to continue her doctoral studies in linguistics at Oxford. Upon completion of her PhD, she hopes to find a career in teaching and researching aboriginal languages.
While Weichel admits that she has always had an interest in the study of languages, it was her university professors who really motivated her to continue her studies in this field.
"They are so enthusiastic about Indian languages and about what they do," said Weichel.
The Rhodes Scholarship was first presented in Canada in 1904. Rhodes Scholars are granted full scholarship for two years of study at Oxford, but may be eligible to apply for a third year.
Weichel is the first Campion alumna to receive this prestigious award.