Gordon and Jill Rawlinson have provided a gift of $100,000 to SIAST for the creation of the Rawlco Aboriginal Saskatchewan Innovation and Opportunity Award.
These awards will be provided to any student of self-declared aboriginal ancestry who has completed a business certificate or diploma program at any SIAST campus. According to a SIAST press release, the value of each award is $1,000 and the award program will run for a minimum of three years. The donation will be matched through the Saskatchewan Innovation and Opportunities program making the total benefit to students $200,000.
"Our aboriginal youth are a big part of the future of Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan's economy," says Gordon Rawlinson, president and CEO of Rawlco Radio. "We need to ensure that we are growing the number of students studying business."
As head of Rawlco Radio, one of Canada's most successful broadcasting companies, Gordon Rawlinson's personal and corporate philanthropy has benefited educational, health care and arts organizations in Saskatchewan and Alberta, the release states. Rawlinson was awarded an honorary SIAST diploma in 2013 at SIAST Woodland Campus for his contributions to his industry and his community.
"A significant number of aboriginal business students will benefit from the Rawlinsons' generosity," says Dr. Larry Rosia. "As important, their education at SIAST will benefit the province of Saskatchewan. The Rawlinsons' donation is an investment in aboriginal youth and in the province."
