UFV’s annual awards ceremony creates spirit of success

Social work student and single mother Christine Henderson, pictured with donor Dr. Jean Scott, took home more than $7,000 in scholarships and bursaries on awards night, including the Autumn Jenkinson and Jean Scott scholarships. Photo: Jhim Burwell.

UFV recently hosted its annual Awards Night to recognize outstanding students. The university awarded more than $413,000 in scholarships to 203 students this year.

Over 400 proud donors, grateful award recipients, parents, family, and friends came together to meet and celebrate student success and donor generosity. Many of the award recipients had the opportunity to meet and thank their donors over coffee, appetizers, and dessert.

The evening also featured keynote student speaker Spencer Landsiedel, who provided an address on behalf of all student recipients. Spencer won five awards this year with a total value of over $6,500, including the Aldergrove Credit Union annual leadership award and the Envision annual leadership award in athletics.

“Thanks to generous donors who understand the challenges of studying and paying tuition, I didn’t have to struggle to manage both full-time studies and the pressure of working to pay for my education this year,” noted Spencer during his entertaining and heartfelt speech.

Spencer was one of several winners of multiple awards in attendance. Several more were return recipients as well.

Student recipients in attendance included: Aaron Tellier, a Bachelor of Science student who received two prestigious awards, including a UFV President’s entrance scholarship with a potential value of up to $16,000; Jennifer Martel, also a Bachelor of Science student, who received the UFV Excellence entrance scholarship with a potential value up to $12,000; and Brodie Pearce, the recipient of this year’s Hollister Health Discipline endowment entrance scholarship valued at $1,600, plus one year of tuition.

“It’s rewarding to see my effort and achievements actually pay off,” commented Aaron, when asked how he felt about receiving the president’s scholarship. “Thanks to these scholarships, I don’t have to worry about fitting a job into my academic schedule or filing for student loans. This way, I can direct much more focus toward my studies and hopefully continue this trend through to the end of my university education.”

If you are interested in supporting student success and would like to set up a scholarship/ bursary of your own or contribute to an existing award, please contact UFV director of development Lindsay Follett at 604.851.6326 or lindsay.follett@ufv.ca.

BSc student Jennifer Martel is delighted to have received a UFV excellence entrance scholarship.	BSc student Aaron Tellier won two prestigious awards, including a Ufv President’s entrance scholarship with a value of up to $16,000. Photos: Rick Collins