2008 Legacy Gala raises $250,000 to support bursaries and endowments for UOIT students

OSHAWA, Ont. - Thanks to the generous contributions of sponsors, auction donors, partners and other guests at the 2008 Legacy Gala, hundreds of additional students will now be able to make their post-secondary dreams a reality through Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT).

The seventh annual gala, held September 12 at Tosca Banquet Hall and Conference Centre, raised $250,000 for student bursaries and scholarship endowments, which includes $125,000 in matching funds through the provincial government's Ontario Trust for Student Support.

"On behalf of UOIT, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in contributing to the amazing success of the 2008 Legacy Gala,"said Dr. Ronald Bordessa, president of UOIT. "Ongoing support for this event ensures that financial barriers to a post-secondary education will continue to be broken down. It ensures that many more young men and women will be able to access UOIT's leading-edge learning environment and pursue the kinds of innovative programs that place them in great demand upon graduation."

The Argentina-themed event, which treated guests to an evening in an elegant Buenos Aires café setting, was attended by hundreds of guests, including business and corporate leaders, politicians and other community leaders, and students, staff and administration from both schools. Guests were treated to authentic Argentinian cuisine, wine tasting, and a professional display of tango and salsa dances. More than 70 local businesses and sponsors donated silent auction items.

"Durham College would like to thank everyone for joining us to celebrate the set reasured partnerships that are so intrinsic to our students' success,"said Don Lovisa, president of Durham College. "Once again, countless businesses,community partners and individuals have demonstrated their incredible generosity.Their contributions have made the gala a tremendous success and will provide a helping hand to students as they pursue their studies and gain the market-ready skills needed to attain rewarding careers and make a difference in the world."

Sponsors of this year's gala included the Albis family, owners of Tosca and Avanti Trattoria; Ontario Power Generation; Bill and Delphine Patchett: the Caribbean Event and Grant Morris Associates Ltd.; The Retired Teachers of Ontario; Campus Living Centres Inc.; Durham College Alumni Association; Metroland Durham Region Media Group; Bill and Janis Robinson; BMO; Durham Region Police Services Board;RBC; and Veridian Corporation. Table sponsors were Bob and Sallie Baun; Cameco Corporation; Chartwells; CIBC Wood Gundy; Meloche-Monnex; Messier-Dowty;Rogers; Schneider Electric; and Wardrop Engineering Inc.

The Legacy Gala is held each September to raise funds for students attending UOITand Durham College. It is designed to relieve students' financial burden and help them pursue their post-secondary educational goals.

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About UOIT
As an innovative university, UOIT delivers a leading-edge learning environment that uniquely combines academic knowledge, research opportunities, hands-on skills and a vibrant student life. UOIT's more than 5,500 students are taught by professors who are experts in their fields from around the world. As Ontario's first laptop-based university, the university offers a diverse array of challenging undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its faculties of Business and Information Technology; Criminology, Justice and Policy Studies; Education; Energy Systems and Nuclear Science; Engineering and Applied Science; Health Sciences; and Science. UOIT's commitment to research excellence has resulted in millions of dollars in grants and awards, including five Canada Research Chairs. To find out more, visit www.uoit.ca or call 905.721.8668.

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Media contact
MJ Jaffray
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
905.721.8668 ext. 2333
mj.jaffray@uoit.ca