Students from Nova Scotia’s valley region will see their educational goals realized in a new award designed to support them through their journey at NSCC.
The Mud Creek Rotary NSCC Entrance Award, announced on May 18, 2018 at Kingstec Campus, is being funded through a $110,000 donation by the Rotary Club of Wolfville-Mud Creek.
Each year in perpetuity, $1,000 in NSCC tuition support will be awarded to one graduating student from each high school in the community: Central Kings Rural High School, Horton High School, Northeast Kings Education Centre and West Kings District High School.
“We are in a position to make a difference in the community and as Rotarians, we feel a duty to do just that,” says Tom Herman, President of the Rotary Club of Wolfville-Mud Creek.
“An endowment as a vehicle has that ‘forever’ attraction. Well, so does education. We thought by combining the two, what better way to realize our Club’s vision of a more equitable, respectful and sustainable world.”
The donation was made in support of Make Way — The Campaign for NSCC, which aims to open doors to opportunity and change the lives of Nova Scotians through access to education.
Jeremiah Banks, a first-year Electronic Engineering Technician student, and bursary award recipient, knows the difference awards like the new Mud Creek Rotary NSCC Entrance Award can make.
“Transitioning into a new chapter of your life is extremely scary. The financial help is a huge thing for a lot of students who just don’t have that traditional support or something to fall back on,” he says.
“More than the funds, just receiving awards is a huge encouragement to know there are people out there in the community who want to support me, and other students, who want to do something great. I’m super happy that there will be even more opportunities for my peers, because of this donation.”
Of the new award, NSCC President, Don Bureaux, says, “This contribution will be honoured and will be used to make significant change in people’s lives.”
He adds, “The greatest equalizer in society is the opportunity for people to pursue a post-secondary education. Once they are able to cross the gap, get into a program and graduate, quite frankly, the world is their oyster.”
