Understanding that the financial reality of pursuing post-secondary education can be stressful for students, Lethbridge College actively works with community partners to create and offer student awards. On Tuesday, those who have given to the college were recognized at the “Take a Bow” donor recognition event. This past year, a total of $1,084,505 worth of student awards were available to Lethbridge College students.
“That number would absolutely not be possible without the generous philanthropic spirit that we see in action every day here in southern Alberta,” says Dr. Paula Burns, Lethbridge College President and CEO. “Every individual or business that chooses to give to the college and to support our students has a different and personal reason for doing so, but the result is the same — helping to improve the student experience. We are incredibly grateful for that support.”
Student life can be a stressful existence, with classes, labs, homework and studying taking up countless hours, while many students also need to balance work in order to support themselves and their education.
Pier-Luigi Lucca had the added challenge of being an international student after leaving trying conditions in his native South Africa to reunite with his family and pursue his education in Canada.
“The biggest hurdle for me was the cost of tuition for international students, which is almost three times as much as tuition for Canadian students,” says Lucca. “But I am a firm believer that effort yields results, so I threw myself into my studies and was rewarded with student awards acknowledging my effort and circumstances. Because of those awards, I was able to complete my diploma.”
Lucca finished his Civil Engineering Technology diploma in 2017 and earned the Governor General’s Academic Medal, recognizing him as the college’s top academic student.
“Student awards change lives, giving people with nothing the opportunity and time to become something that they themselves can be proud of,” says Lucca.
One of the student awards that helped Lucca was the Volker Stevin Canada Ltd. Civil Engineering Award. It is just one example of how an industry partner has affected the life of a student.
“On behalf of Volker Stevin Canada we would like to congratulate Pier-Luigi on being awarded the Governor General award,” says Dean Jetten, Volker Stevin operations manager. “Volker Stevin Canada has always believed in the importance of giving back to the communities we live and work in. By contributing to student awards at Lethbridge College it is our hope and belief students such as Pier-Luigi are able to focus on their studies and realize their full potential while studying at Lethbridge College.”
Monetary donations to Lethbridge College support not only student awards, but a wide-range of initiatives — from helping to improve curriculum and upgrade infrastructure, equipment and technology; to funding applied research; to supporting Kodiaks Athletics.
The commitment to give back to the college is also seen through the countless volunteer hours contributed by community members who serve on program advisory councils, the Alumni Advisory Council, the Kodiak Athletic Association and various organizing committees.
To learn more about student awards and philanthropic opportunities, contact Lethbridge College’s Development Office at [email protected] or (403) 320-3457.