Rotary Bursaries Bring Christmas Joy to Students

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News Dec 14, 2014 Gravenhurst Banner

GRAVENHURST — This year the Rotary Bursary Endowment Fund awarded a total of $44,000 to 37 students. The students, who either live in Gravenhurst or attended school in Gravenhurst, will find a portion of their tuition has been paid by the Rotary Bursary Endowment Fund before Christmas.

The bursary fund sends money awarded to students directly to the registrar of the schools the students are attending. The students are attending universities or colleges from New Brunswick to Ontario. They are at Nipissing University, Queen’s University, Ryerson University, Trent University, University of Ottawa, University of Toronto, University of Windsor, University of Western Ontario, Sir Wilfred Laurier University, York University, Cambrian College, Canador College, Conestoga College Institute of Technology, Fanshawe College, Centennial College, Durham College, and Georgian College, New Brunswick Bible Institute, University of New Brunswick and Mount Allison University.

“There is no restriction on where they go to school or what they study, providing their studies lead to a degree, diploma or certificate,” said Ken Little, chairman of the endowment fund. “This is reflected in this year’s recipients who are studying a wide range of subjects.”

Those areas of study include: educational studies, bachelor of science-biology, general bachelor of arts, honours computer science, business management, honours psychology, business administration, concurrent education/honours arts, honours sociology, drama and communication in media and film, medical sciences, philosophy and women’s studies, business economics, theatre arts – technical production, sport, recreation and leisure services, automotive service technology, occupational physiotherapy assistant, electrical technology, architectural technology,

“The generosity of the community has been fantastic and we are encouraged that we will be able to continue to support more students, thus fulfilling the purpose the community expects,” said Little. “They have entrusted us with significant contributions and we have engaged RBC Dominion Securities to make sure it is managed in a professional manner. Every dollar the public has contributed is still in the fund and the interest and dividends from those investments have allowed us to support those 37 students.”

Every student received between $1,000 and $2,000. With continued support they hope to provide larger and more substantial bursaries to those students and families needing financial help.

The fund is overseen by the Rotary Club, “which is a big advantage because there are no administration fees being deducted from the donations and I send out tax receipts to donors for their 2014 tax returns right away,” said Dick Augustine the treasurer of the fund.

To donate call 705-687-7777, go to bursaryfund.ca or mail a cheque to Rotary Bursary Endowment Fund, Box 888, Gravenhurst, ON, P1P 1V2.