Curiosity and a love of learning leads Lodewyk to prestigious scholarship
- Aug 4
- 4 min read
By Ann Marie Chechalk
A young Niagara man with close 4-H ties has received national academic recognition.
Matthias Lodewyk won one of this year’s Schulich scholarships. Chosen from a national pool of more than 350,000 graduating high school students, only 100 outstanding students received this year’s scholarship from more than 1,300 nominees who were put forward by their schools.
Recipients pursuing an engineering degree will receive $120,000, while those studying science, technology or mathematics will receive $100,000 to attend one of our 20 partner universities across Canada.
“Schulich Leader Scholarships help Canada’s leading universities identify and support exceptional STEM students with the potential to become tomorrow’s innovators, entrepreneurs and industry leaders. As these scholars develop ground-breaking ideas and create new opportunities, it is important that Canada continues to foster an environment where talent can thrive,” said Judy Schulich, president of the Schulich Foundation.
Lodewyk’s academic advisor, Tricia Maughan selected the young man as the school’s nominee.
“I have always been a homeschooled student,” said Lodewyk, “however when looking at pursuing engineering in post-secondary education, I took most of my grade 12 courses at Great Lakes Christian High School in the past year. We are very grateful to Great Lakes Christian High School for accepting me as a visiting student in my senior year.”
Lodewyk said he believes God gave him a love of learning, curiosity and problem-solving nature.
“In homeschool from an early age I had the liberty to explore and encounter the world around me in creative ways,” he said.
At age 13, he built his own backyard forge and spent many hours exploring the methods of a blacksmith. The next year he built a homemade record player out of a cardboard box and a handful of electronics.
“Progressing through elementary school and into high school, my innovations began to become more refined and recognized, and I found that mechatronics engineering was my passion as it is built on developing and integrating cutting-edge technologies and is an excellent place to be inspired and equipped to create novel innovations,” he said.
Inspired by chemistry and renewable fuel sources, last fall he began work on an electrolyzer that converted H2O into its respective hydrogen and oxygen molecules.
“My ‘hydrogen generator’ allowed the oxygen to be released into the atmosphere but contained and compressed the gaseous hydrogen,” he said.
“As I began to consider hydrogen as a renewable and clean burning fuel source, I realized the modifications necessary to convert a standard small engine to run on such a fuel. I also realized that these modifications could be automated so that the desired fuel could be selected and the necessary adjustments electronically controlled.”
He used the project to compete in the Niagara Region Science and Engineering Fair (NRSEF) for GLCHS. Lodewyk received recognition there, winning the Accipiter Radar Technologies award for engineering innovation, the OACETT award, the Rotary Club of Niagara-on-the-Lake award, the IEEE prize for basic electricity and magnetism, and the Ontario Power Generation award.
Lodewyk’s advanced physics class at GLCHS also participated in an engineering competition at Canada’s Wonderland.
In this contest teams of two to four students were tasked with building a marble roller coaster and would compete for either the ‘most fun to ride award,’ the ‘top artistic design’ or the ‘best overall roller coaster,’ which was a category based on technical merit.
“On a team with two other Great Lakes students, our roller coaster won the top award of best overall roller coaster in 2026.”
Lodewyk remains grateful for the gifts he’s been given.
“Knowing that all the gifts and talents I have received are gifts from God, I desire to serve Him in my innovating. I realize a huge way innovations can shape the world for good is by providing for those in need,” he said.
“On a medical mission trip in 2025, I saw how a simple innovation called the life straw provided numerous people with clean drinking water; a privilege we often take for granted. This summer I am traveling to Zambia and Zimbabwe to serve others and hopefully find inspiration for innovations that could solve problems and help those in need.”
“One of my passions is solving problems,” said Lodewyk, “and building a business around new technology.”
Western University is known for its engineering program, he said.
“Western Engineering does not just provide world-class academics, but it also develops innovation-ready students through experiential learning. However, Western is also known for its business programs, and it is the balance of creating new and exciting technologies, making them accessible for others and seeing them applied in the real world that also led me to business. I eagerly anticipate the rigorous academics, in addition to the leadership and business opportunities for students of Western University.”
Lodewyk called the scholarship a great honour and privilege to receive.
“When I received this award, I couldn’t contain my joy. The relief from the financial concerns for the coming years of university education was immense, and I am grateful for the opportunities and time this award gives me to work on innovations,” he said.
“I thank God and give Him the glory for this award, as it is by His grace that I am who I am, and it is His blessings that I steward. I would also like to thank my parents, especially my mom for the years of homeschooling and the ways they have spoken into my life, inspired me to work hard, and put up with the early stages of each of my innovations spread all across the kitchen table.”
A celebration by the family was enjoyed by all as they can’t wait to see what new experiments Lodewyk will participate in as he begins his journey in university.
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