Saint Mary’s University student Darcy Eygun has been named a recipient of the 2025 3M National Student Fellowship, one of only ten students selected nationwide for this prestigious honour.
Presented by 3M Canada and the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE), the fellowship recognizes full-time undergraduate and diploma students who demonstrate outstanding leadership and a commitment to transforming education in ways that enrich both academic and community life.
A third-year Honours Political Science student with minors in Global Development Studies and Philosophy, Darcy’s academic and community engagement spans language education, social justice advocacy, and international policy research. He teaches French part-time with the Conseil Scolaire Acadien Provincial (CSAP), delivering inclusive language instruction to more than 600 students and developing culturally responsive lesson plans in collaboration with educators at École Mer et Monde.
“It’s an honour to be named a 3M National Student Fellow,” said Darcy. “More than recognition, the award affirms education as a catalyst for empowerment, connection, and justice. It reflects a commitment to leadership, community engagement and transformative learning—principles that guide my academic and public work."
“Having grown up navigating learning differences and linguistic barriers, I often felt out of place in traditional classrooms,” Darcy added. “Thanks to inclusive learning spaces, strong mentorship, and creative approaches to teaching, I not only found a way forward but also a deep sense of purpose in helping others do the same.”
Darcy’s academic journey includes leading Fair Trade initiatives on campus, conducting field research in post-conflict Colombia and The Gambia, and participating in the NATO Field School. He recently completed his Honours thesis, Extracting Profit, Exporting Harm: Canadian Mining and the Capitalist State in Ecuador, which explores how Canadian institutions facilitate extractive industry interests abroad.
“Education gave me the tools to overcome adversity, and now I’m committed to ensuring others have the same opportunity,” Darcy emphasized. “Whether in classrooms, communities, or global policy spaces, I’ll continue to champion education as a force for empowerment, interconnection, and justice.”
The 3M National Student Fellowship has been awarded annually since 2012 and is one of the highest honours for undergraduate students in Canada. Recipients each receive a $5,000 award and an invitation to attend the STLHE Annual Conference, which will be hosted this year in Saskatoon, SK, at TCU Place.
Darcy also expressed appreciation for the support he received throughout the fellowship application process.
“I’m especially grateful to Dr. Gavin Fridell, Jonathan Shaw from The Studio, and the CSAP for their continued support,” he said.
As part of his application journey, Darcy worked closely with the Scholars Academy, an initiative of Saint Mary’s Studio for Teaching and Learning that supports high-achieving students as they pursue prestigious scholarships and fellowships. Through personalized mentorship and academic advising, the program helps students apply for highly competitive opportunities such as the 3M National Student Fellowship, the McCall MacBain Scholarship, and the Rhodes Program at Oxford.
To learn more, visit: studio.smu.ca/scholars-academy
