Sydney Whiting has earned a Rhodes Scholarship to the University of Oxford. (Photo: University of Lethbridge)

By David Opinko

Lethbridge woman earns Rhodes Scholarship to study at Oxford University

Nov 20, 2025 | 10:11 AM

The University of Lethbridge (U of L) says one of its students has been awarded a major opportunity to study at one of the world’s most renowned universities.

Sydney Whiting has been named a 2026 Rhodes Scholar, meaning she will get a full scholarship to the University of Oxford in England.

She attended a finalist’s interview in Edmonton last week and was driving back to Lethbridge on Sunday when she got the call.

“I was absolutely thrilled,” says Whiting, who is the fourth U of L student in school history to receive the honour. “My family is so excited, and I’m so happy to share this with them, the University of Lethbridge and the community at large, as well.”

Her supervisor, Dr. Lars Hallstrom, a political science professor at the U of L, describes Whiting as an outstanding student who has taken advantage of all the opportunities and experiences available at the U of L.

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“It has been a pleasure, if not an honour, to work with Sydney for these past few years, both in class and at the Prentice Institute,” says Hallstrom. “I am absolutely delighted that she has received this scholarship.”

Whiting is a graduate of Chinook High School in Lethbridge. She participated in a leadership program and was involved with the Youth Climate Strikes and the former Climate Hub of Southern Alberta.

She is currently enrolled in a political science program at the U of L.

Outside of the classroom, Whiting represented Canadians as part of the delegation to the Y7 Summit, the youth advisory group to the G7 in Tokyo, as well as the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

She is set to complete her degree in December and will continue to work as a research associate at the Prentice Institute next year until the fall.

Whiting intends to apply to the Oxford Blavatnik School of Government for their public policy one plus one program. The two-year program will earn her master’s degrees in both public policy and public policy research.