Dr. Donald M. Leishman Convention Experience
About the Experience
The Dr. Donald M. Leishman Convention Experience, created by the Leishman family in 2022, is an exciting opportunity that provides financial support for five students to attend the PDAC Convention. The Experience offers networking and learning opportunities for students in a geoscience or mining related program who have never attended the Convention.
With the cost of travel, accommodations, PDAC student membership, an All-Access Student Pass, invitations to private networking events and a meal allowance covered, this rare opportunity provides immense value to any geoscience undergraduate, or graduate student who would like to attend the annual PDAC Convention.
The objective of this experience is to expose students to networking and learning opportunities with industry professionals at the World’s Premier Mineral Exploration & Mining Convention.
Dr. Donald M. Leishman
Don Leishman worked as a family physician for 42 years in Kirkland Lake, Toronto and Thunder Bay. Although a medical doctor, two of his passions were geology and mining. Some of Don's favourite memories were made at the annual Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada Convention in Toronto each year. He loved bumping into old friends, making new ones, and enjoying great meals with his family and friends in the industry from around the world. While at the PDAC convention, Don would regularly converse with students, provide advice and offer mentorship.
The Leishman family have created this award in honor of Don, and is a legacy to him for his longstanding support for PDAC, and passion for student mentorship in the minerals industry. The Leishman family hope to continue Dr. Leishman’s legacy by providing geoscience students with an opportunity to attend the PDAC Convention, develop lasting friendships, and advance their careers.
Eligibility and Application Requirements
Eligibility
- Students must be enrolled full-time in a geoscience or mining related program at a Canadian post-secondary institution.
- Have never attended the PDAC Convention.
- Must be available to travel to Toronto from Sunday, March 2 and attend the convention until Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
Application Requirements
- Up to date resume.
- Short (3 – 5 minute) video that highlights their interest in their program of study, why they would like to work in the minerals industry and what they hope to gain from the convention. Video must be hosted on an external site (ex. Google Drive Link, YouTube Link).