KAMLOOPS — Thompson Rivers University’s (TRU) Bob Gaglardi School of Business and Economics and long-time Kamloops resident Norm Daley have launched a $1 million endowment campaign to support students in the region.

The Norm Daley Initiative invites 30 donors to contribute $35,000 each. Gifts have already been committed by seven donors, with over $250,000 raised to date.

Each donation of $35,000 provides a scholarship or award of $1,400 every year to a student in the name of the donor’s family or business, or in honour of a person or organization of their choosing. Donors have input into the award criteria, with priority on Canadian business students from the BC Interior. The award will be maintained in perpetuity.

“For years, being in business, I have seen the benefits of having TRU within our community,” said Daley. “With the cost of education and the cost of living today, these students need our help to ensure that we have people in the workforce moving forward.”

Daley’s generosity has already impacted many TRU students, including Kirsten Zubak, who received the 2021 Daley Family Accounting Excellence Award.

“Receiving this award validates my choice in major and knowing that other people believe in my potential encourages me to work even harder to attain my goals,” she said. “Being able to use this award for my tuition means that I can focus on my future ambitions with less stress.”

“Strong community connections are foundational to our school, and we are deeply grateful to Norm for his leadership on this initiative,” said Dr. Michael Henry, dean of the Bob Gaglardi School of Business and Economics. “This endowment will help make education more accessible for students in our region, ensuring they have the option to choose a business education that will prepare them to excel as leaders in their workplaces and communities.”

Norm Daley has been a prominent figure in Kamloops since setting up Daley & Company (now Grant Thornton LLP) in Kamloops in 1991. His involvement with hockey, baseball, curling and the arts is well known. Daley is also a TRU donor who has employed graduates of the university’s Bob Gaglardi School of Business and Economics. In May 2021, TRU bestowed Daley with an honorary degree (Doctor of Letters, honoris causa) — the highest form of recognition offered by the university, awarded for demonstrated excellence in a variety of fields.

Contact:
Kathy Sinclair, Senior Communications Consultant, University Relations
Thompson Rivers University
250-371-5697 | kasinclair@tru.ca