Belleville, Ontario, July 19, 2021 – Loyalist College has partnered with the Belleville Police Service in support of equitable learning opportunities for Indigenous students. Through the College’s new Belleville Police Service Indigenous Student Bursary, one student of Indigenous heritage in the College’s Police Foundations program will receive $2,500 toward their education.
“It is our collective responsibility to create a more equitable world, one that respects, celebrates and makes space for the contributions of Indigenous people,” said Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, Loyalist College President and CEO. “Across the College – from Student Success services to the Indigenous Resource Centre – we provide customized supports in an environment in which our students can further cultural activities to express and develop their Indigenous identity. We are deeply appreciative of Belleville Police Service’s generous donation which not only removes barriers to education but represents an important step toward increased inclusivity and equity in our community.”
Chief of Police Mike Callaghan and Deputy Chief Chris Barry of the Belleville Police Service have committed to an annual donation, to be distributed over the course of the school year, which will help cover the expenses of one graduating high school student from the Hastings County area who has shown community involvement and demonstrates financial need. Priority will be given to students who are members of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte.
“The Belleville Police Service strives to ensure that our police service is reflective of our community,” said Callaghan. “We endeavour to be inclusive and diverse in our recruiting process and would cherish the prospect to provide a career opportunity for an Indigenous person from our own community. We believe that we have many capable Indigenous members locally, who with the assistance of the bursary, could become a member of the Belleville Police Service Team.”
Interested students are asked to email awards@loyalistcollege.com. The deadline to apply is July 30, 2021.
About Loyalist College
Ranked one of Canada’s top 50 research colleges and #1 in the country for industry research income as a percentage of total research income, Loyalist College empowers students, faculty, staff, and partners through experiential, industry cluster-based education, training and applied research programs. As Ontario’s Destination College, the College provides job-ready graduates for, and knowledge transfer to, industry and the community. Of 2018-19 graduates, 88.8 percent were employed within six months after graduation. Located on more than 200 acres in the beautiful Bay of Quinte region, the College is perfectly positioned between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. Loyalist College offers more than 70 full-time diploma, certificate and apprenticeship programs in biosciences, building sciences, business, community service, health and wellness, media studies, public safety, and skilled trades. Continuing education options are available through LoyalistFocus.com, including hundreds of online, distance and in-class courses, and through the College’s 100+ university transfer agreements. Loyalist College is a key driver of social and economic health in eastern Ontario. It contributes 3.7 percent of the Gross Regional Product, representing $382 million annually to the regional economy – based on a March 2020 report by Emsi. For more information on Loyalist College’s Belleville, Bancroft and Toronto campuses and Port Hope satellite location, visit YoureGoingPlaces.com.
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Contact: Ashliegh Gehl, Coordinator, Marketing, Communications
Loyalist College, agehl@loyalistcollege.com, 613-969-1913, ext. 2826