913 scholarships have been given out since program started in 2000
Supporting education has always been a key focus for the Stream-Flo Group of Companies in our commitment to making the communities where we live and work better.
While our organization has supported numerous educational institutions over the years through donations and other initiatives, it is our Stream-Flo Group Scholarship Program — which benefits the children of our employees — that stands as a pillar of our post-secondary support and makes us most proud.
This year, after the awarding of 72 scholarships, we are extremely pleased to announce that we have awarded more than $1 million since the program began in 2000.
“It is a great milestone and one that has hundreds of stories attached to it,” said Stream-Flo Group President and CEO Mark McNeill. “One of the things I am most proud of is the international aspect of the program, with the children of our staff members across our global operations being eligible and benefitting from this support. From Malaysia to India, the UAE, Houston, Aberdeen, the positive effects and educational growth it has encouraged have been far reaching.”
Stream-Flo Group President and CEO Mark McNeill and Master Flo Valve Inc. President Larry Walton pose for a group photo with some of the 2024 Edmonton scholarship recipients. (Redd Francisco)
Overseeing and administering the program for the past few years has been Tanya LaFrance. The Senior Human Resources Advisor for Stream-Flo Industries says managing it is a big task, but one that is ultimately very rewarding.
“Meeting the parents and hearing some of their stories of how proud they are of their child and what program they are taking is very fulfilling,” she said. “This program is part of who we are as a company and these scholarships make a difference in their lives, and I am proud to be a part of that.”
Supporting the next generation
Reflecting further on the program and the connections she’s made with other employees because of it, LaFrance says hearing how proud staff members are of their kids — especially those who are first-generation Canadians — puts the program into greater context.
“They came to Canada for a reason, to make their lives better, and now they’ve had children and they want their kids to have everything as well,” she said. “We have a lot of high achievers with our employees’ kids, so they are doing many good things.”
The Stream-Flo Group Scholarship Program has two categories of awards. There is the President’s Award and J.D. (Duncan) McNeill Award given out, with the latter going to the applicant with the highest average each year.
As the program celebrates a major milestone this year in surpassing $1 million awarded, another one is set to arrive in 2025, which will see the scholarship program celebrate its 25th anniversary.
“I look forward to us continuing this terrific tradition of supporting our employees and their children’s pursuit of higher education for many years to come” concluded McNeill. “The roots of the program are strong, and its branches of positive benefits are many and growing.”
