VICTORIA, B.C. – Eighty-nine post-secondary students – including a graduate of Northern Lights College – received Ike Barber Transfer Scholarships worth $5,000 each in September from the Irving K. Barber British Columbia Scholarship Society.
Emma MacTavish of Dawson Creek, currently attending Royal Roads University, was the recipient of one of the scholarships. She was recognized in June Convocation ceremonies with a University Arts and Sciences Certificate in Humanities from NLC.
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 the province to complete their degrees.
They are funded from the returns on a $15 million endowment established by the province in 2006. The fund is named after philanthropist Irving K. Barber who died earlier this year at the age of 89 after many years of generously supporting public education and research projects in British Columbia.
“Here in B.C. we have earned international recognition for offering one of the most extensive post-secondary transfer systems in the world,” said John Yap, Minister of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology. “I’m delighted that with these scholarships we’re making it easier for these students to make the most of their learning opportunities and move between our post-secondary institutions to succeed in their studies and fulfil their ambitions.”
To qualify for the Transfer Scholarships, students must have strong grades and demonstrated volunteer service to their school and/or community.
“Mr. Barber would have been very proud of this group of deserving young people who will go on to make contributions to their province,” said Hugh Gordon, chair of the scholarship society. “Our society is pleased to support BC’s strong post secondary system.”
The Irving K. Barber BC Scholarship Society works with the Victoria Foundation to manage a series of scholarship and education award programs that support B.C. students attending public post-secondary institutions. The Society recently announced expanded scholarship and award programs for Aboriginal students and students hoping to complete part of their education overseas. Since 2006, the Society has awarded over $4.5 million in scholarships to several thousand students throughout BC.
To find out more about this fund, call the Victoria Foundation at 250-381-5532 or visit www.bcscholarship.ca.