Selkirk College Students and Donors Celebrate at Scholarship Awards Ceremony

Scholarships were awarded to full time students entering Selkirk College for the first time who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, and to students enrolled in a minimum of 80 percent course load who have also shown exceptional academic success while attending Selkirk College.

“It’s a great opportunity for our students and donors to meet and be recognized.” explained Selkirk College’s Donor Services Coordinator, Joyce Buckler, “We work closely with our donors in terms of creating the criteria for our individual scholarships and trying to match the scholarship criteria to the student. It’s a very positive event for everyone involved.”

Selkirk College Athletic Coordinator, Kim Verigin, is grateful for the opportunities that scholarships present to both potential and enrolled students. “By having scholarships available, we are able to attract high caliber athletes from other areas,” says Kim, “Students such as Nicole Campbell are able to reap the benefits of playing varsity sport while bolstering their education.” Nicole plays for the Selkirk Saints Volleyball team and came to Selkirk College from Coldstream, BC because she was awarded an athletic scholarship.

Nicole was also the recipient of the Ann and Peter Wood Biology Scholarship. Long time donor, Dr Peter Wood, feels strongly about supporting students and their education. "I feel very fortunate to have been supported all through my undergraduate studies in the UK and post-graduate studies at Cornell University in New York State, with bursaries, scholarships and assistantships, provided by local governments, corporations and individual citizens in the form of endowments," said Dr Wood. "In BC we will be missing the boat if more caring people don't get on board and seriously help to increase funding education in as many ways as possible. If we are concerned about higher education for our young people, then we need to directly support it. There is no better investment for Canada and the world than education."

Individuals interested in applying for a scholarship through Selkirk College may obtain an application from the Financial Aid Office on the Castlegar Campus during February and March 2009 only.Further information may be obtained at selkirk.ca.

Anyone interested in creating a scholarship fund through Selkirk College is encouraged to contact the Communication and Development department at 1.866.301.6601 ext 386.

First published on September 19, 2008