Dozens of Okanagan College students attending the Penticton campus will have smiles on their faces and more money in their pockets this week when awards totaling $41,750 are handed out from the Okanagan College Foundation.

Thirty-three students will be receiving 44 awards at the annual Awards Reception, which takes place Thursday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. at the Penticton campus.

“Each one of these students is very deserving of these awards, and awards like this encourage students to do their best in their studies. They are role models for many other students on campus,” said South Okanagan-Similkameen Regional Dean Donna Lomas.

One of those students receiving more than one award is Trina Carroll, a 38 year old single mother of twins, who is in her third year to obtain her Bachelor Degree in Business Administration.

Carroll is receiving three awards: The Jim Henderson 3rd year business award, the City of Penticton Centennial Community Spirit Award, and the Harley Biddlecombe Legacy Award. After receiving seven awards in 2012, Carroll says: “I’m a whole different person now. I see opportunities where I used to see challenges. Before I used to think I couldn’t do it. Now I look at something and figure: why not give it a shot? Thank you donors, a hundred times.”

Over the years, numerous organizations and individuals have established memorial awards, scholarships, and bursaries, including groups like Valley First, Penticton Women in Business, Okanagan Fest-of-Ale and the Kiwanis Club of Penticton.

“This Awards night means a lot to students, but it is also significant for our donors who appreciate a chance to meet the recipients and see for themselves how donating to the Foundation has helped power the College’s promise to transform lives,” said Kathy Butler, Executive Director of the Okanagan College Foundation.


The Penticton awards night is just one of four Awards receptions held at each of the campuses. Awards given out at these receptions represent a portion of the total number of awards granted each year to deserving Okanagan College students.

In the 2012-13 fiscal year, the Okanagan College Foundation gave out $676,826 in scholarships and bursaries.

News from © iNFOnews, 2013