2 minute read
Students and Donors Connect on Charter Day
By Dan Blackwell
Photos by Minh Truong
What better way to celebrate Victoria University’s 187th birthday than by honouring the more than 1,200 students who received scholarships and awards, many of which are provided by alumni donors and other friends of the University? Alumni had the opportunity to personally connect with students at the Charter Day ceremony.
John Grant Vic 8T3 and Susan Gillmeister Vic 8T1 met students Judith Joshi and Giedre Alsaadi, who received the 1980s Legacy Scholarship, created to honour the graduates of their decade and as a tribute to a dearly departed friend, Peter Stokreef Vic 8T3. “We just felt like a tight-knit group who wanted to give back and honour those who are no longer with us,” Gillmeister says.
“This scholarship will allow me to consider getting a master’s degree or going to med school,” says Joshi. “Thanks to donations like these, I hope to go on to my master’s studies where I can focus on environmental sustainability to help us transition into a more sustainable future,” adds Alsaadi.
During the ceremony, former Victoria University chancellor Wendy Cecil C.M. Vic 7T1 introduced honorary degree recipient Jill Heinerth, a deep-sea diver, filmmaker and environmental advocate. Afterwards, Cecil met with student Jacob Mark Stoutchinine, who received the Wayne Reesor Thomas Scholarship she founded.
“Meeting the recipient of this scholarship feels like a chance to touch the future,” says Cecil. Stoutchinine was honoured to be recognized and hopes to one day pay it forward. “I would love to have a scholarship named after me someday,” he says.
Ellen Edmonds, who founded the George W. Edmonds Scholarship in memory of her late husband, George Edmonds Vic 4T8, was pleased to be part of the celebrations. “George embodied the Vic spirit,” says Edmonds. “I know he would be very happy to see some of his money helping Victoria College students.”
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To discover how you can empower the next wave of Vic students to shape the future, visit vic.utoronto.ca/alumni/giving.
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