An endowment will be established at Thompson Rivers University as a result of a settlement made by the RCMP to Mrs. Cisowski, Robert Dziekanski’s mother. Robert died two and a half years ago at the Vancouver Airport while he was in route to Kamloops from Poland to join his mother who resides in Kamloops.

“We will be working very closely with Ms. Cisowski to ensure this award honours her son, his interests in geography and his heritage,” – Christopher Seguin, TRU VP Advancement,

TRU will receive $20,000 to establish a student assistance endowment which will produce an annual bursary, the first of which will be awarded in fall of 2011.

“We are honoured that in the midst of her grief and through the public spectacle that has surrounded Ms. Cisowski during she has thought of reaching out to assist students at Thompson Rivers University,” said Christopher Seguin, TRU Vice President Advancement. “Out of a tragedy, this endowment will be a living legacy and a source of hope and possibility.”

The terms of reference for the Robert Dziekanski Award are currently being written. “We will be working very closely with Ms. Cisowski to ensure this award honours her son, his interests in geography and his heritage,” said Seguin.