Building a workforce for the future through career ready post-secondary is a collective effort, and the entire community is being invited to take part in helping students achieve their ultimate goals.
Selkirk College’s Remarkable Together appeal kicks off in mid-November with Gala 2023 at Nelson’s Tenth Street Campus and a concert at Shambhala Music & Performance Hall presented by students in the Contemporary Music & Technology Program. Taking place on November 25 and November 17 respectively, both events provide a showcase for student talent while raising vital funds to empower learners through their educational journeys.
“Financial aid and support are a cornerstone of success for students at Selkirk College,” says Andrew Jupp, the college’s manager of advancement & alumni relations. “Providing ongoing assistance doesn’t happen without the generosity of donors and these two events allow us to invite the community onto campus for two great evenings to witness all the tremendous work being done by students.”
The annual Selkirk College Gala is a beloved date in the November calendar where guests are treated to scrumptious food and top-notch service by students in the School of Hospitality & Tourism, and outstanding entertainment from the music program. The Gala evening at Mary Hall on the Tenth Street Campus will look a little different this year with an open dining experience where guests can indulge in a wonderful array of culinary delights and enjoy background music featuring an alumni jazz trio and special performance by program faculty. The November 17 Gala Concert is now a separate event that invites music lovers to check out an evening performance by this year’s cohort of talented students.
“This year we are changing it up slightly to provide an atmosphere at Gala that aligns with the latest trends in the hospitality industry,” says Jupp. “It also gives the music students a night on the Shambhala stage that will be electrifying and entertaining. Our supporters and guests now have options, and of course we hope they choose both.”
Making Learning Possible for Everyone
A mature student who returned to the post-secondary classroom in her late-40s to pursue a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at the Castlegar Campus, Katherine Oldfield is one of the students who has been able to find success thanks to the kindness of donors who give to scholarships and bursaries.
“It makes me feel valued because I have taken time to go back to school,” says the third-year student. “After graduation, I am going to be able to give back to my community. This is four years of my life and it’s a lot of hard work, so to have that community support is very helpful.”
Oldfield is a single mom with a daughter who just started her own post-secondary journey and a son who is in Grade 12 at Nelson’s LV Rogers Secondary. Her family left the Seattle area in 2016 to pursue a new life in Canada after Oldfield spent 20 years in private practice as a naturopathic doctor in Washington state. Driven by a desire to be part of a public health care system that is designed for everybody, she chose a new direction.
At a stage of her life when many are working toward retirement, Oldfield was deciding on whether to return to post-secondary for a second career in nursing. Her first consideration was whether she had the adequate savings to support both herself and her children. Discovering more about the amount of assistance offered through financial aid, scholarships and bursaries, Oldfield took the bold step.
“Scholarships help remove barriers and recognize achievement,” she says. “There is a benefit to society when we have higher educated, critical thinkers… no matter what that educational goal is. Every program at Selkirk College benefits our society in some way, so it’s always a good idea to invest in education.”
Already looking forward to giving back to the community in her new career and with two more full years of education left in her degree, Oldfield is still unsure of where she will land upon graduation. Currently spending her semester placement as a student outreach nurse on the streets of Nelson, she is assisting many of the most vulnerable people in the community where the toxic drug crisis is causing multiple levels of harm.
“I truly love being at Selkirk College, being around the cohort and forming good friendships has been refreshing,” says Oldfield. “It’s also been really good for my kids because they see me studying hard and taking the time to apply for scholarships, so modelling that helps them realize they are capable of doing the same.”
Get Your Tickets Now
The Selkirk College Foundation provides more than $500,000 annually in scholarships and bursaries to students spread across all program areas. Without the support of donors, many learners would have no chance of making it through to their dream careers.
Tickets for the two Remarkable Together kick-off events are now on sale. Gala 2023 tickets are $85 and tickets for the music show at the Shambhala Music & Performance Hall start at $20. Both can be purchased online at selkirk.ca or by emailing Andrew Jupp.