More than $1.1 million in scholarships awarded since 2000
993. That’s the total number of scholarships that have been gifted by the Stream-Flo Group of Companies to the children of their employees since the program started a quarter century ago.
Attached to every single scholarship, is a story.
Like that of twins Neha and Nidhi, and their father Vijay Patel, a journeyman machinist for Stream-Flo who has been with the company for 17 years.
Neha and Nidhi both received the President’s Award scholarship of $1,000 per year during their four years of post-secondary schooling.
Neha obtained two bachelor’s degrees as a result of her studies, a Bachelor of Science (BSc) from MacEwan University with a double major in biological sciences and psychology, then a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Alberta.
Nidhi completed a combined degree program at the University of Alberta, earning a BSc with a double major in physics and mathematics, along with a Bachelor of Education.
It turns out the academic apple doesn’t fall far from the tree in the Patel house.
Before immigrating to Canada, father Vijay was a mathematics and science teacher.
“Higher education has always been deeply valued in our family,” wrote his daughter Nidhi through email. “Our father’s achievements through education — especially his rise to becoming a principal despite early financial hardship — have had a lasting influence on us.”
While the supremely humble Vijay is reticent to share much about his academic achievements, he beams when speaking of the scholastic success his daughters have accomplished.
“I’m a proud, proud father,” said Vijay with a big smile. “Back home I was a teacher, so I told my daughter (Nidhi), and she said daddy I want to be a teacher like you.”
Stream-Flo Journeyman Machinist Vijay Patel poses with his two daughters Neha and Nidhi at their respective graduations. Neha is in the purple dress in the picture on the left and Nidhi is in the cap and gown in the photo on the right.
Following in their father’s footsteps
Nidhi is doing exactly that now, working as a substitute teacher for the Blackgold School Divison.
Neha, meanwhile, is working as a Registered Nurse at the University of Alberta Hospital in the Acute Stroke Unit under their Neurosciences Department.
“They’re good kids,” said proud dad Vijay. “I’m really satisfied with their education.”
Both Neha and Nidhi say they used the scholarship funds they received from the Stream-Flo Group Scholarship Program to help pay for their tuition and course-related materials.
In a world of rising costs — post-secondary education no exception — the bursaries helped lift a burden.
“Knowing I had consistent support — contingent on maintaining academic performance — helped relieve a great deal of stress associated with tuition and educational expenses,” wrote Neha. “It allowed me to concentrate on excelling in my studies without the constant worry of financial strain.”
Twin Nidhi expressed much the same sentiment when asked what impact the Stream-Flo Group Scholarship Program has had on her life.
“The scholarship from Stream-Flo made a significant difference in my academic journey,” stated Nidhi. “Knowing that my hard work was being recognized and backed by my father’s company gave me a sense of pride and stability, and it allowed me to focus on academic excellence without being overwhelmed by financial concerns.”
‘You take care of the people, the people will take care of the company’
The success story of Neha and Nidhi that continues to be written is exactly why the Stream-Flo Group Scholarship Program was started in the first place.
In lessening the financial burden or worry associated with post-secondary education for the children of its employees, the program continues to achieve an important goal of its late founder Duncan McNeill, who was a staunch supporter of education and the immense benefits it provides.
“My dad always said if you take care of the people, then the people will take care of the company,” says Stream-Flo Group CEO Mark McNeill. “Our scholarship program is a prime example of this philosophy in action.”
Last year the program celebrated another major milestone, surpassing the $1 million mark in total money awarded.
In addition to celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025, this year also sees the program set a new single-year record with 79 scholarships being awarded.
“Our scholarship program is open to every employee, including our international locations,” explained McNeill. “It makes me really proud to see the children of our staff in Malaysia and India receiving these scholarships alongside our North American employees. The benefits of higher education are universal, and this program has done a great deal of good over its 25 years of existence.”
Clockwise from top left: Will Julian and Robert Antony in India, Rudi Saputra and Andrie Kalim and Jeff Colbert in Indonesia, and Zie Saidon and Will Julian in Malaysia pose for photos during the 2025 scholarship presentations.
Program requires logistical expertise
Of course, someone needs to manage it.
Enter Stream-Flo Senior HR Advisor Tanya LaFrance, who has been overseeing the program for the past five years.
“It’s a scholarship season,” said LaFrance about the overall duration and time that goes into successfully coordinating the required info and details every year.
With a new high watermark of 79 scholarships awarded in 2025, this year’s “scholarship season” as it were required even more logistical expertise on LaFrance’s part.
But she says the connections she makes with colleagues across the corporation in running the program, makes all the hard work and planning more than worth it.
“It’s a neat way to meet others across the group of companies,” said LaFrance.
Others such as Vijay, and the story of his twins Neha and Nidhi.
“You see him (Vijay) light up,” said LaFrance. “He is proud of what his daughters have achieved.”
That pride extends to where he works, too.
“Who is going to give me this much money for my daughters?” laughed Vijay when asked what the scholarship support has meant to him. “Thank you to the McNeill family, I’m really proud of this company.”
Stream-Flo Group CEO Mark McNeill, left, and Stream-Flo Vice President Global Sales and Strategic Development Kevin McNeill, right, pose for a photo with Vijay during scholarship presentations.
The 2025 Stream-Flo Group Scholarship recipients from Master Flo pose together for a group photo during the presentation ceremony.