Wedding gifts become scholarship fund

Oshawa, Ont. - The campus of Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) was transformed on Saturday, August 7 as a popular UOIT staff member held her wedding ceremony and reception on the grounds. In lieu of gifts, guests donated money to an endowment fund for bursaries at the university.

Advancement Office Associate Campaign director, Louise Farr married David Chambers at 4 p.m., surrounded by 350 guests. Almost $36,000 has been raised to date, as a result of their special request to honour their union by placing all gifts into a Farr-Chambers Endowed Student Bursary for future students.

Included in the Farr-Chambers Endowed Student Bursary is a one-to-one dollar match from the provincial government's Ontario Student Opportunity Trust Fund (OSOTF). In 1996, the OSOTF was introduced as a financial aid program designed to help students who need it most. In June 2003, the government announced a second phase in which all donations made by individuals or corporations for endowed student aid would be matched dollar-for-dollar.

After years of Louise devoting her time to Durham College in various positions, as a member of the Board of Governors, a volunteer on the Creating Futures Campaign and service on countless committees around Durham Region, Louise and David decided that the best way to balance previous work on behalf of the College, was to give to UOIT in the form of a bursary.

Louise and David met in 1997 while she served as the Ajax-Pickering vice-chair of the school's Creating Futures Campaign. David Chambers is president of The Goldie Company, the consulting firm used for the successful Creating Futures Campaign-designed to raise support for integrated college and university programs in Durham Region; provide state-of-the-art equipment and software; and offer bursaries for Durham College students in need.

Louise and David recognize that while UOIT has only been open for one year, the university has its needs as well. In order to fulfil in part, the vision of UOIT under the leadership of Dr. Gary Polonsky, president and vice-chancellor, Louise and David want to assist students who demonstrate a financial need, to have the opportunity to expand their education and enjoy all that UOIT has to offer.

About the University of Ontario Institute of Technology

As the province's newest university, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology provides a unique combination of academic knowledge, vibrant student life, leading-edge research, and hands-on skills. The university offers career-focused undergraduate degree programs in the fields of business and information technology, sciences, engineering, nursing, justice studies, and education. It is also developing leading-edge research and graduate programs, and is Ontario's first laptop-based university. Sharing selected services with Durham College, UOIT welcomed its first students in September 2003. To find out more, visit www.uoit.ca or call 1.866.844.8648.

About Ontario Tech University
A modern, forwarding-thinking university, Ontario Tech advances the discovery and application of knowledge to accelerate economic growth, regional development and social innovation. We inspire and equip our students and our graduates to make a positive impact in a tech-focused world. For us, it’s not only about developing the next tech breakthrough. Understanding and integrating the social and ethical implications of technology differentiates us as university. Learn more at ontariotechu.ca.

Media contact
Tania Henvey
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
905.721.3111 ext. 2513
tania.henvey@dc-uoit.ca