Gift from two A&S alumni establishes new undergraduate award for Indigenous excellence

Alex Hudek (left) and Winter Wei, whose gift established the Indigenous Excellence Award, at U of T Convocation 2025.Photo credit: Lisa Sakulensky.

Arts & Science alumni Alexander Hudek and Xue (Winter) Wei knew they wanted to give back to U of T and support future generations of students. Hudek found inspiration from a land acknowledgement at a concert and began considering how they could turn words into action.

“I wanted to contribute tangibly to support Indigenous students,” says Hudek, who earned an honours bachelor of science in 2002 as a member of New College. “Education is one way to help create opportunities and reduce systemic inequities.”

Hudek and Wei’s generous gift was matched by the faculty, creating a $250,000 fund to establish the Alexander Hudek and Xue Wei Indigenous Excellence Award. This renewable award will provide an Indigenous undergraduate student with up to $10,000 in financial support per year over four years.

Neither Hudek nor Wei come from an Indigenous background, but both understand the transformative impact of education — especially when it is unburdened by financial constraints.

Wei has been a leader in user experience design for over 10 years. She founded Muse and Mate — a practice journal for musicians — and is currently working as a cartoonist and illustrator. Hudek co-founded and later sold Kira Systems, a Toronto-based enterprise software company that specializes in AI-powered contract analysis. Both found themselves at a stage in their careers where they had the capacity and desire to create meaningful change in the lives of Arts & Science students.

“Every once in a while, we talked about how we want to give back,” says Wei, who earned an honours bachelor of science in 2007, also as a member of New College, and completed her master of information in 2022 at U of T. “We donate to arts and music, but I feel like education is a cornerstone of our lives.”

Hudek also pursued graduate studies and benefited from graduate scholarships while at the University of Waterloo, which he says were hugely helpful for paying his way through school while still living a well-balanced life.

“I could have coffee out and regular things without having the finances in my head at all times,” he says.

Wei says she spent so much time at her part-time jobs that applying for scholarships felt overwhelming. That’s why they ensured the Indigenous Excellence Award is granted automatically to Indigenous undergraduate students, setting them up for success in their education.

Wei says it felt natural to create an award that supports Indigenous students. As someone who lives in Canada and knows its history, she felt an obligation to do her part in empowering the original custodians of the land.

A lifelong learner, Hudek strives to learn more about the experiences of Indigenous peoples in Canada. “I’m interested in better understanding a meaningful path forward to truth and reconciliation.”

Originally published on August 10, 2026 by Coby Zucker – A&S News