A total of 306 awards were presented at the Loyalist College Annual Undergraduate Awards Ceremony held on Wednesday, November 16, 2011. The awards, totaling $172,298, were presented from the Loyalist College Foundation and from individual donors, businesses and community organizations. Aboriginal Post-Secondary Education and Training Bursaries, and First Generation Bursaries were provided through provincial government funding.
The College is pleased to acknowledge the establishment of the following new awards which were given out for the first time this year.
The Albert and Ann Theriault Memorial Endowment Fund was established by the Theriault’s friend Mark Gallupe—a faculty member at Loyalist College, and the executor of Mr. Theriault’s estate. Mr. Theriault attended Loyalist, as did two of his grandchildren, and it was his wish that part of his estate be used to establish a bursary. The funds assist students in the Social Service Worker (SSW) program who have overcome challenges and demonstrated a commitment to the Social Service field. Second-year SSW student, Brandy Brant, is the first recipient of the award.
The Andrew White Excellence in Media Award was established in recognition of the work of the late Andrew J. White, President of ITWorld Canada Inc. The award recipient must be a student in excellent standing in any media program, who has completed a ‘new media’ solo assignment that is part of existing curriculum and represents innovation. The candidate should also exemplify professionalism in all regards. Journalism – Online, Print and Broadcast student, Ashliegh Gehl, is this year’s recipient.
First-year Civil Engineering Technician student, Patrick Parkinson, was presented with the C. Donald Royce Memorial Endowment Bursary. The fund was established by a donation from Donald W. Royce in memory of his father, C. Donald Royce, who was a faculty member at Loyalist College from 1968 to 1992 in the Civil and Survey Programs.
The Northland Power Award is presented to Television & New Media Studies students who demonstrate professionalism, the ability to work well with others, and who problem solve and possess a curiosity about new technologies. Loyalist College TV students worked to produce a video for Northland Power. This year’s recipients are third-year students Liam O’Neil and Sydney Sheppard.
Louis O’Driscoll is the first Loyalist College recipient of the Project Hero Scholarship, which provides free tuition for dependents of Canadian Forces personnel who lose their lives while serving in a military mission. Mr. O’Driscoll’s father, Corporal Jacques Larocque, lost his life in 2006, while serving with the Canadian Forces.
The Quinte Early Childhood Education Resource Centre (QECERC) Endowment Fund was established this year with a donation of $100,000. Together with the enhanced matching funds from the provincial government as part of the Ontario Trust for Student Support Program (OTSS), this endowment fund will provide financial assistance to students in Loyalist’s Early Childhood Education program in the form of annual bursaries.
“As we consider dissolving our organization, our wish is that rather than distribute our assets and just fade away, we might be able to find a way to continue to attain our goals,” said QECERC Treasurer Dan Dulmage.
“The present executive members of QECERC have an association of more than four decades standing with the College as faculty or as students, and we are confident in Loyalist’s ability to inspire and train quality Early Childhood Educators.”
Four Early Childhood Education students received a QECERC bursary this year. They are second-year students: Krysten Hemphill; Shantal Lindsay; Heidi Shulist; and, Ryan Stuckless.
All Award recipients and donors were recognized during the event. “These award presentations provide us with the chance to celebrate student accomplishment and to acknowledge our donors with whom we have a genuine human connection,” said College President Maureen Piercy. “The financial support is important, however, it is this special connection that provides students with the motivation they need to continue to reach for their goals.”
“Your family and friends share this recognition with you and we all join in offering our congratulations to you,” commented Stuart Wright, Chair of the Loyalist College Board of Governors. “The many donors who make this awards program possible deserve our gratitude, as does the College Foundation Board, whose members play an important role in supporting the College and its students.”
Foundation Chair Beverley Townsend expressed her gratitude on behalf of the Loyalist College Foundation Board. “We thank our donors and friends most sincerely for your investment in Loyalist students. Tonight we are very pleased to be presenting awards to so many deserving students and we are deeply grateful for your ongoing support.”
For more information regarding the Awards program or the Loyalist College Foundation and its support of Loyalist students and academic programs, contact Dianne Spencer, Executive Director, College Advancement and External Relations at (613) 969-1913, ext. 2235.
Media Contact: Dianne Spencer, Executive Director, College Advancement & External Relations, (613) 969-1913, ext. 2235, dspencer@loyalistc.on.ca