VICTORIA – Eight-five British Columbia students will each receive a $5,000 Ike Barber Transfer Scholarship this year from the Irving K. Barber British Columbia Scholarship Society announced chair Hugh Gordon today.
Among the award recipients is Susan Phillips of Fort St. John. Currently a student at University of Northern British Columbia, Phillips formerly attended Northern Lights College in the Social Services Worker Diploma program.
Dr. Irving K. Barber, the philanthropist for whom the scholarship is named said, “These scholarships help students obtain their post-secondary degrees while rewarding their outstanding accomplishments, both in the classroom and in the community.” Dr. Barber is a director of the Society and the founder of Slocan Forest Products Ltd. He is also known for his commitment to education and research in British Columbia.
The scholarships are awarded annually to undergraduate students who have completed two years at a public post-secondary institution in B.C. and are transferring to another degree-granting institution in B.C. to complete their degrees. They are funded from the returns on a $15 million endowment established by the Province in 2006.
“The Irving K. Barber BC scholarships encourage students to take advantage of some of the best features of B.C.’s post-secondary system – choice and transferability,” said Ida Chong Minister of Science and Universities, and Regional Economic and Skills Development. “For students seeking a degree, having the ability to transfer easily between institutions means they can start their degrees at their closest community college or institute, saving them thousands of dollars in costs.”
Students must have a grade point average of at least 3.5 or 87.5 per cent for 54 credits completed and have demonstrated service to their school and/or community. Scholarships of $5,000 each are awarded annually to undergraduate students across BC.
“Education is the foundation of a productive, democratic and civil society,” said Gordon. “An investment in the knowledge and skills of British Columbia’s students is an investment that benefits our society and thus all British Columbians.”
The Irving K. Barber BC Scholarship Society works in partnership with the Victoria Foundation to provide scholarships to students attending public post-secondary institutions both throughout the province and internationally. To date, the Society has awarded almost $2.5 million in scholarships.
To find out more about this fund call the Victoria Foundation at 250-381-5532 or visit www.bcscholarship.ca.