The TRU Foundation kicked-off its annual campaign today, commemorating TRU’s full membership in the Research Universities Council of BC by featuring keynote addresses from Dr. Wendy Gardner, of the faculty of Resource Science and Tamara Bandet a fourth-year bachelor of science student.
Bandet, who grew up in Barriere, told the capacity crowd gathered for breakfast of the opportunities she’s had through scholarship. Awarded an entrance scholarship in 2007 and most recently, funding from the Undergraduate Research Experience Award Program, she noted that it was this support and mentorship from faculty that enabled her to become involved in research as an undergraduate. Bandet’s research tests antibiotic resistance on a pathogenic bacterium that causes respiratory infections in seniors and ear infections in children.
Rae and Ron Fawcett.
“By giving students the chance to go beyond the classroom and walk down the path of the pursuit of knowledge, you absolutely invest in our future,” Bandet said. “Moreover, you are investing in the lives yet to be touched by discovery.”
Alan Shaver, TRU President and Vice-Chancellor said research is an important milestone in TRU’s development. “As a teaching and research university our mandate for basic and applied research has regional, national, and international relevance and application. Private support is vital to the success of TRU students and to the University; we cannot accomplish all that we do through tuition and government funding alone.”
Last year the Foundation raised over $3 million. The funds were raised from new and existing award donors, fundraising events, annual mail and calling campaigns and contributions to the Brown Family House of Learning. The Foundation is a non-profit society with a volunteer board of 16 directors and another 50 society members from the community at large working hard on various committees to raise money for students. The Foundation endowment fund for student assistance and research now totals $ 16 million.
“The need for donations continues, … there are more students to assist; more funding is needed to create classroom space for our Faulty of Law students and more research opportunities to invest in,” said Norm Daley, chair of this year’s annual campaign.
ANNOUNCED GIFTS
Among the supporters who stood at the breakfast to announce their gifts to kick-off the campaign were Ron and Rae Fawcett, $100,000; Spencer and Jane Bryson of the Stollery Foundation, $150,000; TB Vets with $62,500; and Ken Lepin with $25,000.
MORE INFORMATION
Karen Gamracy, Director Advancement
(p)250-371-5715
(e)kgamracy@tru.ca
