Dreams Take Flight: OAC Student Receives "Life-Changing" $80,000 Scholarship

Thomas Deng’s dreams have always been big. From Millbank, BC, the first-year BSc Agricultural Science student is the inaugural recipient of the Wilder Family Leadership Scholarship, receiving an $80,000 boost toward his career ambitions in agriculture and food – an award he calls life-changing.

Backed by a $2-million gift from OAC alumnus Andy Wilder (BSc Agr. ’84) the Wilder Family Leadership Scholarship is awarded to an OAC undergraduate student who has significant leadership experience. 

Throughout high school, Thomas exemplified leadership by volunteering at a rehabilitation institute for individuals with Down syndrome. The leadership lessons he took from this meaningful experience helped him throughout his academics, sports and other ventures, including being named the captain for his golf team and a proud BIPOC representative at his high school.  

Raised on a family farm, Thomas developed a deep love for the science and art of food production from a young age. “Growing up, the barn was my playground,” he says. “I used to take care of my cows, Betsy and Daisy, and brush our horses, Rainbow and Magic. As I got older, my passions changed and I started to get fascinated by the science behind agriculture.” 

Thomas’s passion isn’t just about farming; he’s genuinely curious about the bigger picture of food production and its role in society. Inspired by U of G’s dedication to cultivating future leaders in agriculture, Thomas chose the university not only for its strong reputation but also for the close-knit community he’s found there. 

“When I first stepped on campus, it felt like home,” Thomas recalls. “My fellow Aggies made the transition to university so smooth. In just two months, I’ve made great friends and so many memories.”

He’s equally impressed by the faculty. “OAC has some of the best professors and TAs who really care about my education. With their support, I feel like the OAC is going to shape me into a future leader in Canadian agriculture.” 

Thomas’ favourite course so far is the AGR 4010-Special Studies in Agricultural Science, taught by Dr. Mike von Massow. “The course is a little different from others as it is team-focused with students from a variety of fields coming together to market a new innovative agricultural product at local and international competitions, says Deng. “I particularly love this course because I feel like I am able to work with and learn with people from all sorts of backgrounds.” 

The Wilder Family Leadership Scholarship has opened doors that Thomas might not have been able to walk through otherwise. “This scholarship means the world to me,” he says. “Without it, I wouldn’t have been able to experience all that OAC offers and learn from my fantastic Aggie profs.” 

As he embarks on his university journey, Thomas looks forward to taking the knowledge and skills he’s developing back to his roots in sustainable farming, and eventually, to the broader Canadian agriculture industry.  

Thanks to a $2-million gift from U of G alumnus Andy Wilder (BSc Agr. ‘84), three new scholarships have been created to attract top Canadian and international students to the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) to pursue a career in the Canadian agri-food sector. The Wilder Family Scholarship recipients also include: 

Wilder Family Scholarship: 

Victor Angulo Tirado has been selected as the recipient of the Wilder Family Scholarship. Victor, who came to the University of Guelph to study Animal Biology, has long aspired to become a veterinarian. This scholarship provides him with the vital support needed to pursue an undergraduate program that paves the way toward admission into the Ontario Veterinary College. Victor expresses deep gratitude for this life-changing opportunity, as it lifts the financial burden of tuition, allowing him to focus on achieving his dream of a career in veterinary medicine. 

Grace Song is the recipient of the Wilder Family Scholarship, awarded for her dedication to animal biology and her goal of becoming a veterinarian. Raised in Toronto by Korean immigrant parents, Grace's passion for animals led her to the Animal Biology program at the University of Guelph. This scholarship has significantly eased the financial burden of her education, allowing her to focus on her studies and future career. 

Wilder Family Graduate Scholarships: 

Sajal Ahlawat is a Master of Plant Agriculture student at the University of Guelph, specializing in breeding and genetics. With a strong background in plant breeding and sustainable agriculture from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology in India, Sajal is committed to advancing innovative breeding techniques to address agricultural challenges and support food security. The Wilder Graduate Scholarship would allow Sajal to focus on molecular breeding and crop hybridization, furthering contributions to seed technology and sustainable farming.  

Xiaowen Gong has been selected as the recipient of the Wilder Family Scholarship in recognition of her dedication to agricultural science. With a Master’s in Horticulture from Nanjing Agricultural University and a Bachelor’s in Agricultural Science and Engineering from Qingdao Agricultural University, Xiaowen has excelled academically. As a Bioassay Engineer, she led projects focused on biopesticides and sustainable agricultural practices.