KELOWNA - In recognition of educational merit and community contributions, the Okanagan College Foundation has awarded 136 Okanagan College Kelowna campus students with a total of 173 scholarships and bursaries valued at $169,697 during the 2013-2014 academic year.

“Our students consistently demonstrate incredible dedication to our community while also excelling in their studies,” says Central Okanagan Regional Dean Heather Schneider. “We encourage our students to be involved, to challenge themselves, and to achieve success. These awards are a recognition of their accomplishments, and encourages new students to follow in their footsteps.”

Graduating this year from the Bachelor of Business Administration Honours program in Accounting, Amanda Wright expressed her gratitude for receiving two awards that recognized her commitments to philanthropy and academic success.

“The Honours program is quite intensive. Receiving these generous awards means that I can focus on my courses, my honours thesis research, and still continue with my non-profit commitments,” says Wright, who is the executive advisor and past president of the Okanagan College Accounting Club, a volunteer with United Way, the volunteer coordinator for Motionball Kelowna supporting the Special Olympics Canada Foundation, and a former board executive with Gennext Kelowna.

Wright received the Crowe MacKay LLP CAEF Scholarship and also the Edd Kyle Memorial Award totaling $6,500. After she graduates this spring, she will begin an articling position with local accounting and business consulting firm KPMG in Kelowna.

“Our donors are an integral part of our community here at the College,” says Kathy Butler, Executive Director of the Okanagan College Foundation. “Their generosity makes it possible for students to pursue their studies and explore new careers. These awards not only help relieve the financial pressure and support students being able to stay in school, but beyond that they let students know that there are donors in the community behind them, celebrating their successes.”

The 173 Kelowna awards represent a portion of the total number of awards, bursaries and scholarships granted each year by Okanagan College. In 2013-2014 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.

Starting now, students are encouraged to apply for Okanagan College awards, bursaries and scholarships for the September 2015 intake. Specific awards information, deadlines and application details can be found at www.okanagan.bc.ca/awards.

News from © iNFOnews, 2015