STM Celebrates Student Bursary Awards

STM is grateful to the many donors who generously lighten the financial load for our students and make it possible for them to succeed. On November 20 at STM’s Bursary Award Reception, STM awarded bursaries valued at $143,250 to 111 students!  

President Carl Still expressed his gratitude to STM’s donors: “On behalf of all of us at St. Thomas More College, I thank all our donors for your generosity and your presence here today. Your trust in our College to steward your gifts inspires us to live out our mission – to explore the ongoing dialogue between reason and faith. And your faith in our students, and their potential, has the power to transform their lives and our society through the contributions they will eventually make.”

Behind every bursary are donors’ own journeys. Our donors’ personal histories were shaped by the education STM provides, and they care enough about our students that they are inspired to help today’s students along their educational path. At the award event, representatives of two of our bursary awards inspired our students with their stories.

Rose Woloschuk spoke of her parents, Cornelius and Rosallie Woloschuk, whose commitment to education was so great that they sent all ten of their children to STM. Rose spoke movingly about what it meant to her to receive a bursary during her years as a student, and how she realized she must “pay it forward” by establishing the Cornelius and Rosallie Woloschuk Memorial Bursary.

Elaine Zakreski shared how she met her husband Peter Zakreski, a “boy from Alvena,” at STM.  Peter’s career as a Senior Vice-President at Federated Coop and his community service were shaped by the values of his STM education. But Elaine reminded students that the greatest life lesson is that while we sail along on our own life journey, eventually we come to recognize that God is steering the ship.

Here is a message of thanks from one of our students who received a bursary:

“Your kindness is not only an investment in my education, but also in the future of my family. My children see me working hard toward my degree, and I hope it inspires them to persevere in their own dreams. Your generosity helps make that possible, and I am deeply grateful. Thank you once again for your meaningful support. Please know that your gift is making a real difference in our lives.”

Thanks to all our donors whose faith in our students and in STM allows us to support students financially, as they develop their God-given gifts through their studies!