About/

Our scholarships and awards programs

Building futures, honouring legacy.

Celebrating our legacy by providing scholarships that help open doors for future consultants.

At Eckler, our purpose is simple yet powerful: to care and to do right by people so that together we can achieve a brighter, more secure future. While our current purpose statement was born in 2019, Eckler’s leaders have played a pivotal role in shaping Canada’s professional landscape for nearly 100 years. Through innovation and leadership in actuarial and broader consulting services, Eckler has helped generations of people and organizations achieve greater security, opportunity and success. As part of this legacy, we are proud to offer a range of scholarships and awards that recognize academic excellence, promote diversity, and provide financial support to students pursuing careers in fields represented across Eckler.

Our scholarship and award programs reflect Eckler’s belief that education is a catalyst for opportunity and change. Through endowments at leading Canadian universities, we support students from all backgrounds. Our scholarships not only honour the legacy of past leaders like Samuel Eckler, M. David R. Brown, Murray Segal, and Hugh G. White, but also reinforce our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and the advancement of the professions represented across Eckler.

Our scholarships and awards

Honouring Sam Eckler

Samuel Eckler was a trailblazer in the Canadian actuarial profession and the founding chairman of Eckler Partners Ltd., one of Canada’s first actuarial consulting firms. Sam was a pioneer in public sector pensions, government healthcare, and workers’ compensation programs, and played a key role in shaping Canada’s pension legislation through his work with the Ontario Committee on Portable Pensions. Known for his integrity, civility, and entrepreneurial spirit, Sam’s legacy lives on in Eckler’s values and culture. The scholarship and medal named in his honour reflect his lifelong commitment to education, professional excellence, and the advancement of actuarial science.

University of Waterloo signage

Samuel Eckler Medal in Actuarial Science
University of Waterloo

Established in 1985 at the University of Waterloo, the Samuel Eckler Medal in Actuarial Science is awarded annually to the most outstanding graduating student in the Actuarial Science Program. Named in honour of our founder, the medal recognizes academic excellence and leadership in actuarial studies. The award was initiated by Eckler to celebrate Sam Eckler’s distinguished career and contributions to the profession, particularly in public sector pensions and social programs. Since its inception, the medal has highlighted top graduates who have gone on to successful careers in consulting, insurance, finance, and academia.

Samuel Eckler Memorial Scholarship in Actuarial Science
University of Toronto

Established in 2012 at the University of Toronto, this scholarship is awarded to an outstanding second-year student enrolled in the Specialist Program in Actuarial Science. To qualify, the student must have an overall A average.  The scholarship is renewable for the third and fourth years, provided the student remains in the Specialist Program, maintains a B+ average overall, and continues to achieve an A average in all required actuarial courses. Selection is based on academic performance and does not require a separate application.

Exterior shot of a building on the the University of Toronto campus. University of Toronto is carved into the stone work.

Honouring M. David R. Brown

M. David R. Brown was a long-serving Eckler Principal and former Managing Partner, who dedicated over five decades to advancing the actuarial profession and supporting pension clients across Canada. A University of Manitoba gold medalist in actuarial science, David was known for his integrity, mentorship, and leadership, both at Eckler and in the broader pension community. David was President of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (CIA) from 1996 to 1997, and in 2024, he was posthumously awarded the CIA’s Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his contributions and influence on the actuarial profession and beyond. His legacy continues to inspire future generations of actuaries and consultants.

University of Manitoba Administration Building in Winnipeg, MB, Canada, on July 19, 2023. The University of Manitoba is a Canadian public research university in the province of Manitoba.

David R. Brown Scholarship in Actuarial Studies
University of Manitoba

Established in 2017 at the University of Manitoba, this scholarship supports students enrolled full-time in either the Bachelor of Commerce program with a major in Actuarial Mathematics or the Bachelor of Science program in Actuarial Mathematics or Statistics-Actuarial Mathematics. Eligible recipients must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5 and demonstrate active involvement in extracurricular activities. Preference is given to students who self-identify as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit from Canada.

Honouring Murray Segal

 Murray Segal was a distinguished actuary and long-time leader at Eckler. After graduating from the University of Manitoba, he joined Eckler where he built a remarkable career spanning decades. Murray served on the firm’s Board of Directors and held key leadership roles, including Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary. He was best known for his pioneering work in actuarial evidence, heading up the firm’s Expert Witness practice, earning a national reputation as one of Canada’s foremost experts in the field. His contributions to landmark legal cases and his dedication to the profession left a lasting legacy.

Murray Segal Memorial Scholarship in Actuarial Studies
University of Manitoba

 Established in 2005, this scholarship is awarded at the University of Manitoba and supports students enrolled full-time in either the Bachelor of Commerce program with a major in Actuarial Mathematics or the Bachelor of Science program in Actuarial Mathematics or Statistics-Actuarial Mathematics. Eligible applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.75 over their first three years of study and demonstrate strong academic achievement in actuarial studies.

University of Manitoba Administration Building in Winnipeg, MB, Canada, on July 19, 2023.  The University of Manitoba is a Canadian public research university in the province of Manitoba.

Honouring Hugh G. White

Hugh G. White was a Principal at Eckler, recognized for his expertise in actuarial science, risk management, and insurance. A Fellow of both the Casualty Actuarial Society and the Canadian Institute of Actuaries, Hugh held senior management roles in the insurance industry before joining Eckler in 1999. He was deeply involved with the Canadian Institute of Actuaries, serving as vice president, secretary-treasurer, and board member, and contributed to numerous committees advancing the profession. In honour of his commitment to education and the actuarial community, the Hugh G. White Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to the top mathematics graduate from London Central Secondary School entering a Canadian university program in actuarial science or mathematics.

Hugh G. White Memorial Scholarship
London Central Secondary School

Established in 2011, this scholarship is awarded to the graduating student from London Central Secondary School with the highest mathematics mark, who has been accepted into an Actuarial Science or Mathematics degree program at a Canadian university and has applied for the award.

Front entrance to a highschool.

Other scholarships and student opportunities

Eckler is also proud to support the Equality of Opportunity Scholarship (EOS) offered by the Actuarial Foundation of Canada (AFC) to “promote diversity in the actuarial, mathematics & statistics, data management, and computer science professions.” The EOS Fund provides scholarships to eligible Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour Canadian students who face financial and societal barriers to attending the university or college program of their choice.

These programs reflect Eckler’s commitment to fostering the next generation of business professionals and consultants. For more information on how to apply, please contact the respective institutions.