Halifax graduate awarded prestigious F. Murray Fraser QC Scholarship

Sophia Wedderburn comes from a family with deep roots in Halifax's legal and civil rights community, but, this fall, she's trading the Atlantic coast for the Rocky Mountains.

As the 2025 recipient of the F. Murray Fraser QC Scholarship, the University of King's College graduate will begin her legal studies at the University of Calgary.

The $16,150 award, based on academic merit and community service, honours F. Murray Fraser, former UCalgary president and vice-chancellor. While preference is given to graduates of King’s and adjacent Dalhousie University in Halifax, the award is open to all eligible applicants.

A strong family history in law

Wedderburn's family connection to the legal world runs deep. Her grandfather, Gus Wedderburn, was a litigator and civil rights advocate in Halifax, while her great-aunt, Rosemary Brown, was the first Black woman elected to the provincial government of British Columbia.

“Having such a strong and rich family history has truly been such a beacon for me. I was just always taught growing up: nothing is out of reach if you work hard and you really want it,” says Wedderburn.

The scholarship creates an additional connection as Wedderburn's father was friends with Fraser's son, cementing what she describes as a meant-to-be feeling about her path to Calgary.

Wedderburn completed her Bachelor of Arts at King's, majoring in law, justice and society. She credits King's unique Foundation Year Program, which develops critical thinking through classic texts, as valuable preparation for law school.

UCalgary's Calgary Curriculum continues this approach, starting first-year students with a three-week intensive program on the foundations of law where they learn to increase their understanding of legal history, the basics of law and other fundamentals.

International experience and creative voice

Wedderburn's academic journey included an exchange program in Malta, where she volunteered with the Migrant Women Association. At King's, she served as a student ambassador, doing outreach work and writing articles about events.

“I love to write creatively, and I don't think that creative and academic writing need to be mutually exclusive,” says Wedderburn. “I feel like the two can come together in so many beautiful ways.”

This past summer, she spoke at youth conferences for Halifax's Black community.

Catherine Valestuk, head of recruitment & admissions of UCalgary Law, says these experiences make Wedderburn a strong fit for the scholarship.

“If I could have created somebody in my imagination for this award, it would be Sophia,” says Valestuk. “I've met her personally and she's so engaging, she's going to be a wonderful law student for us.”

A meaningful connection to UCalgary Law

Learning she was the F. Murray Fraser QC Scholarship recipient brought Wedderburn excitement and gratitude. That feeling grew as she learned more about Fraser and his wife, Anne, whose legacy of public service left a strong impression.

Murray Fraser, Hon. LLD’96, served as UCalgary’s president and vice-chancellor from 1988 to 1996; he passed away in 1997. The scholarship was created in his memory by Anne Fraser, Hon. LLD’96, who was named a Member of the Order of Canada in 2005.

“What a power couple they are, in the truest sense of the word,” Wedderburn says. “It makes me so proud and honoured to be the recipient of this unique scholarship.”

UCalgary Law has welcomed five other King's College graduates into this year's incoming class.

“To be able to look at what Murray Fraser has provided to the communities he’s been part of and find students that really reflect those same values and strengths, to select students on that basis is a really special thing,” says Valestuk.

Valestuk says she hopes more students consider applying for scholarships like this.

Looking ahead

As for what’s next for Wedderburn, she is focused on combining her interests in civil rights, creative writing and intersectional feminism into a career that reflects who she is.

“To bring together things that I'm passionate about — that's what I'm going to let guide me through these next few years and beyond,” she says.

And, while she'll miss the ocean, she says the mountains will do just fine.