On March 27, Durham College hosted its annual Student Donor Reception in appreciation of the college’s hard-working bursary recipients and their generous donors.

Approximately 75 students and donors came together, some meeting face-to-face for the first time. They gathered in the college’s new Student Services building to chat, mingle, and listen to personal stories from students, as well as Don Lovisa, president, Durham College, David Chambers, president, Durham College Foundation and associate vice-president, Office of Development and for the first time this year, a donor, Robert C. Wordham addressed those in attendance.

“We are honoured to have several individual and corporate bursary donors provide our students with much-needed financial support,” said Lovisa. “Their ongoing support and invaluable assistance helps ensure our students have access to quality learning experiences, programs designed to meet the needs of employers and exceptional professors with real-world experience.”

Almost $296,000 has been donated toward Durham College endowed bursaries for the 2011-2012 fiscal year. These funds are then distributed through bursaries to students. Student recipients may use their bursary to purchase groceries, pay rent or offset other costs such as transportation, school supplies, and/or appropriate professional clothing to ensure they are ready to enter the business world. Bursaries provide much needed financial relief for students and their families.

The Durham College Alumni Association, contributed $40,000 over the past 12 months bringing the Alumni endowment fund to a total of $200,000 in just over seven years. This year it is also partnering with the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists to establish a joint endowment to provide an award for students in an engineering or applied science technology program.

“By creating an award, scholarship or bursary, the donors have tangibly shown that success matters and have helped us live our mission of the student experience comes first at Durham College,” said Chambers.

Students interested in applying for a donor award can do so through MyCampus. For more information on the Durham College Awards program and a listing of awards, please visit the Donor Awards program page.