Gratitude through generosity

Upon graduation from Pickering College in 2023, Ryan Francis ‘23 gifted the school to show his appreciation for its integral role in shaping him both academically and personally.

Ryan purchased a table for the Dining Hall where he spent many happy advisor and class lunches since beginning his time at Pickering College in Grade 7. This generous gesture was both to give back to the community that has meant so much to him as well as to inspire others to leave a lasting mark on the school.

“(Coming to Pickering College) was one of the best decisions that we made, and so I just wanted to contribute because it had such a big impact on my life,” he says.

Reflecting on his time at PC, Ryan says he was surrounded by a group of friends with whom he moved through the grades, and they would always look at the back of chairs and the tables in the Dining Hall to see if they recognized anyone.

“There were a lot of students in the upper years whose families we reminisced about, because we knew them from when they were at the school, and so I wanted to have that sort of lasting impact because I know a lot of people in the lower grades,” he explains.

When asked about the inspiration for his generosity, Ryan speaks of his early years of giving through organizations such as World Vision that left an indelible mark and connected him with similarly aged children around the globe. This experience sowed the seeds of a desire to make a lasting impact and to widen that impact to more than just one individual.

His family has also played a key role in influencing his philanthropic focus. Ryan, who is completing his first year of a business administration degree with aspirations to major in honours finance, is at St. Francis Xavier University and is a fourth-generation St. FX student in his family.

“Since my parents are generous donors to educational causes, I hope to follow in their footsteps in the future,” he acknowledges, recognizing the profound impact education can have on shaping lives.

Ryan says staying involved with Pickering College after graduation remains a priority. He visits the school whenever he is back home to see his family and has continued to maintain strong ties with teachers whom he credits as having made a tremendous impact on his life, including Mrs. Lawson-Cameron and his advisor Mr. Johnston.

When asked about his advice for fellow alumni who may be interested in making a meaningful difference through philanthropy, Ryan advocates for the power of participation. He stresses that the spirit of giving, no matter the size of the gift, is what makes a significant difference.

“It doesn’t have to be large, donate anything that helps. Whether it’s a large donation or small, however much you donate does make a difference and recognizes what a phenomenal school it is,” he says.

Ryan looks forward to continuing to show his deep appreciation for Pickering College as he volunteers to help the current Grade 12 students transition to university by sharing his experiences, later this spring.