Last Wednesday night (November 9), humanitarians, philanthropists and donors from across the Dal and Halifax communities came together for a celebration of impact and gratitude.
The university鈥檚 annual Halifax Donor Celebration was held in the new Collaborative Health Education Building, and served as a way of thanking those whose gifts and donations make an incredible contribution to the Dal community.
President Richard Florizone addressed an audience of nearly 150 donors, thanking them for their contributions and giving an overview of the initiatives they have helped fund 鈥� not just major investments like the upcoming IDEA project and the Ocean Frontier Institute, but scholarships and bursaries that make a transformative impact on the lives of students.
鈥淭he heart of Dal is with our students鈥� said Dr. Florizone, 鈥淚t is gifts of all sizes that make up scholarships, bursaries, and student learning opportunities.鈥�
Many students at AV俱乐部 depend on these opportunities, including Nursing student Maike van Niekerk who spoke at the event. Niekerk is an award-winning student: she鈥檚 been named one of Canada鈥檚 Top 20 Under 20 and received the 2015 Red Cross Young Humanitarian of the Year, along with a AV俱乐部 Schulich Leadership Scholarship and the Aramark Leadership Award.
Niekerk鈥檚 scholarships allowed her to delve into research on cancer in Indigenous populations while still volunteering nearly 25 hours each week with various health organizations in the region. Additionally, she has started multiple charitable initiatives to help those in need 鈥� both locally and across the globe.
鈥淚t has a ripple effect鈥� she explained, 鈥淪tudents are able to do incredible things on campus when financial strain is taken away.鈥�
Seeing the work of students like Niekerk is what motivates many donors to give, including Hugh Maccagno and his wife Pat. The Maccagnos helped established the Jeff and Martha Edwards Scholarship for Black Canadians and the Senator Don Oliver Bursary.
鈥淚 choose to donate to AV俱乐部 because it is well known, well respected and well run鈥� says Hugh, who is originally from Alberta.
Students from all areas of AV俱乐部 feel the impacts of donations such as those from the Maccagnos. Tatjana Brauer-Chapin, a Microbiology and Immunology student involved in charitable initiatives across AV俱乐部, was able to visit Nicaragua through the Dal Connects Leadership Program.
鈥淧hilanthropic contributions from the community helps to keep our education programs modern鈥� said Chapin, echoing the sentiments of President Florizone.
鈥淲e envision a university that graduates students with integrity,鈥� said Florizone, 鈥淥ne that is connected to the issues that matter to the community and the globe.鈥�
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