Okanagan College Penticton students receiving the Rick and Yasmin Thorpe and Friends Scholarship. Left to right, Rick Thorpe, Sloane More, Dylan Hoogveld, Connie Ramey, Yasmin Thorpe.
Image Credit: Contributed
February 02, 2015 - 4:43 PM
For Penticton resident Sloane More, the pursuit of post-secondary education was a way of opening doors and creating opportunities for her future. That is until she faced the challenge of funding. Thankfully, her ambition for higher education was made possible this year as she was one of the three recipients of the Rick and Yasmin Thorpe and Friends Scholarship awarded by the Okanagan College Foundation.
“Wondering how I would afford tuition, plus living expenses was a barrier for sure. But, what’s wonderful is that there are these generous scholarships available to students which help make schooling accessible,” says More.
“Funding should not be a barrier for these deserving students, and we are proud to help facilitate their desire to advance their education and training,” says Yasmin Thorpe. “We are committed to rewarding those students in our region who participate in the community, apply themselves to excel in their studies, aspire to be leaders, and have a vision for a better future.”
This year More, and fellow students Dylan Hoogveld and Connie Ramey, each received the $2,500 scholarship to support their studies in the three-year Sustainable Construction Management Technology diploma in the Jim Pattison Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Technologies and Renewable Energy Conservation at the Penticton campus.
The program teaches construction techniques, project management, and emerging technologies with the common thread of sustainability woven throughout the multiple disciplines.
“What better way to exemplify the very concepts the students are learning about than for them to attend class in a state-of-the-art building that highlights sustainable green technologies,” says Rick Thorpe. “Innovation and sustainability are the gateways to the businesses of tomorrow. It’s important that students learn today the principles of reducing our carbon footprint.”
“It was fantastic having the chance to shake the hands of the two people whose philanthropic nature made such a difference to me,” says More. “I’ll always remember Rick telling me at that moment to ‘pay it forward,’ and this is exactly what I plan to do one day. It’s a good reminder to do good and to build on their generous momentum.”
Since its inception in 2007, the Rick and Yasmin Thorpe and Friends Scholarship has awarded $61,500 to deserving students from the West and South Okanagan.
The Okanagan College Foundation awarded 67 financial awards to 41 students in Penticton specifically with a total value of $64,650. In the 2013-2014 fiscal year, the Foundation disbursed 647 scholarships and bursaries totaling $541,851 and Okanagan College also awarded an additional 880 financial awards amounting to $404,462, for a combined total of $946,313.
Graduating high-school students, as well as mature students returning to school, who meet the eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply for the Rick and Yasmin Thorpe and Friends Scholarship for the September 2015 intake. There are 10 scholarships available, each for $2,500. Deadline for application is March 6, 2015. More information can be found at www.okanagan.bc.ca/awards.
News from © iNFOnews, 2015