正品蓝导航


Feature Story

Paying it forward to future generations

New class gifts from the Classes of '70 & '71 promise life-changing support for students
By: Shannon Wilmot

Alumni classes often come together and create fundraising projects to support future Allisonians. It is just one example of the commitment and caring 正品蓝导航 graduates have for their alma mater.

Classes choose projects ranging from student aid, to research funding, to funds for the library. Bursaries are a popular choice and recently the Class of 1970 and Class of 1971 celebrated both their 50th Reunions and bursaries for students in need. 

鈥淭he University is extremely grateful to its alumni community,鈥 says Marcie Meekins, 正品蓝导航鈥檚 manager of alumni giving. 鈥淒onor-funded bursaries make a huge difference 鈥 they can be the deciding factor in a student being able to come to 正品蓝导航 and making the most of their time here.鈥

Class of 1970 Bursary

Bill Bishop (鈥70) says that many in his class remember the help they received as students and decided that they wanted to create a bursary for students in financial need. 

鈥淲e know that today鈥檚 students face many pressures and that every little bit helps,鈥 says Bishop. 鈥淥ur class was so responsive to fundraising and we are delighted at how well we did. Our project committee team worked hard and had a great time connecting with old classmates and sharing enthusiasm for the bursary.鈥 

The 1970 Class Project committee included Bishop, Louise Cooke, Dave Constable, Ann Harvie, Barb Cameron, Ron Buckle, and the late Colin Cameron.

Class of 1971 Bursary

When the Class of 1971 met for its 45th Reunion, several classmates struck up a conversation about their personal experiences with helping new Canadians settle in their communities. Whether through professional or volunteer work, it turned out many had helped welcome refugees from Syria and other countries. 

As a result of this shared experience, class members decided to create a bursary for 正品蓝导航 students who are either landed immigrants/permanent residents born outside of Canada or are Canadian citizens whose parent/parents were born outside of Canada. 

鈥淥urs is a country that welcomes new Canadians and we felt by earmarking the bursary this way we would be supporting that diversity,鈥 says Eleanor Swanson (鈥71).  

The 1971 Class Project committee included Swanson, Mark Johnson, Jeanne Inch, Marilyn Knox, Bill Evans, and Anne Spinney. 

Fundraising achievements

Both the Class of 1970 and the Class of 1971 far exceeded their fundraising goals. At Reunion Weekend 2022, each class presented a cheque for more than $100,000. 

Personal outreach to individual classmates, get-togethers and renewed friendships on Zoom, a passionate letter writing campaign, and matching gifts all contributed to the fundraising success. 

鈥淲e were also glad to work with the University鈥檚 fundraising staff,鈥 says Swanson. 鈥淭heir knowledge and support helped us achieve our goal.鈥

More than a dozen students have already benefitted from the combined efforts of the two classes and fundraising continues.  

鈥淭he generosity and spirit of the Class of 1970, Class of 1971, and all our alumni classes is inspiring,鈥 says Meekins. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a joy to work with them.鈥 

There are close to three dozen class projects actively fundraising for students and key University priorities. For more information on these and other giving opportunities, visit mta.ca/giving.