By Patchen Barss
Dependable, inventive, and an adept communicator: these qualities won William Tomlinson many a science fair competition, a place at Carleton University to study mechanical engineering, and a 2025 EKO Scholarship.
“I have fairly prevalent ADHD, and the science fair projects gave me something that I could hyper focus on for large periods of time without any issues,” he says. “Furthermore, I also really enjoy talking at length about topics I find interesting. Presenting my projects gave me a great opportunity to do exactly that.”
Tomlinson’s creativity tends to manifest in building and design projects — mechanical wings for a school drama, remote controlled airplanes and boats, plus more speculative challenges like flying cars and delivery systems for remote communities.
“I am driven to create,” he says. The word “driven” is appropriate, given how many of his creations have had a vehicular component. It’s not all drones, air taxis, and watercraft, though. He also designs infrastructure projects, including everything from a window platform for his cat, to orbital solar power stations.
“So long as I can give form to the ideas in my mind, I will be content,” he says.
People who know Tomlinson through the Quinte Regional Science and Technology Fair call him “the little professor,” in recognition of his skill and enthusiasm for explaining complicated scientific concepts. They praise his problem-solving skills and collaborative spirit. Tomlinson works to ensure people know they can rely on him.
“Being dependable is an incredibly important quality to have,” he says. “I have had many experiences throughout my life that have highlighted the importance and necessity of being dependable.”
He says he’s grateful to EKO for allowing him to devote his mind more toward engineering problems and less toward financial ones.
“This scholarship means that I will have more assistance heading into university and will be able to focus more on the ride and less on how much money I have,” he says. “My hope is that this scholarship will help pave the way for a successful career in engineering and thus, in life.”
He is also aware that a successful life involves more than academic studies and a career path.
“Once out of university I will either try to join the workforce right away or take a few years and travel,” he says. “I haven't really gotten out of the country much yet so I would like to make some memories while I am still young. I want to visit Japan at some point as well as some mountains in South America.”
Meet our 2025 EKO Scholars