Southeast Regional College students attending classes at the Estevan campus were recipients last Wednesday of nearly $15,000 of the total of $75,000 made available to students in the form of scholarships and bursaries.
Terry Gillispie, vice-president of development for the college served as emcee for the short program held in the main auditorium of the Saskatchewan Energy Training Institute. College president and CEO Dion McGrath was also in attendance to congratulate the award-winning students. Some students were recipients of multiple awards as Gillespie noted the scholarship reach had been extended thanks in large part to the addition of Saskatchewan Opportunity Scholarships, which were introduced in 2011. The Ministry of Advance Education offers funding for post-secondary students in the form of these scholarships. Monies raised for scholarships through private sector and community-based partners is matched by the Saskatchewan Opportunity Scholarships in most categories. On Wednesday, $6,475 was awarded through the Saskatchewan Opportunity Scholarship plan.
During the Estevan event, a total of $14,850 was handed out to students in 19 different fields of study in front of staff, community participants, fellow students and family members.
Dave Harazny, marketing manager for the college said they were very thankful for the support the bursary and scholarship program has enjoyed from local industries and organizations throughout the years, allowing the program to grow.
"Because we have smaller class sizes and strong community support, our students have a greater chance of receiving a scholarship or bursary at the college versus attending a larger institution. This is a huge advantage," said Harazny.
Students attending classes and courses in Weyburn, Moosomin and Whitewood received their awards earlier in the month.
The multiple award winners from the Estevan campus included Chantel Johnson, Aaron Tytlandsvik, Alex Hackel and Sanketkumar Patel. Johnson and Tytlandsvik picked up three awards each for a total of $1,950 and $2,000, respectively. The others received two awards while Logan Trippel, enrolled in the electrician course, was the recipient of the Government of Saskatchewan Opportunity Scholarship in the amount of $1,750.
Johnson is enrolled in the office education program while Tytlandsvik is training to become a power engineer, as is Patel while Hackel joins Trippel in the electrician classes.
Other scholarship and bursary recipients included Preston Benning, Kendra Braun, Desiree Tuttosi, Marlene Piel, Isaak Greifenhagen, Lindsay Schoenthal, Callie Fair and Shane Knight-Waters.
All the awards were distributed through the Southeast Education Foundation, the fundraising arm for the scholarship and bursary program.
"From the foundation and everyone at Southeast College, congratulations and best of luck continuing your studies. We in the local communities look forward to you starting your career path and making our communities a better place, whether it be as an electrician, office administrator, power engineer or other capacity."
Following the presentations the students, staff, presenters and family members were invited to stay and socialize while enjoying some cake and refreshments.
