Anne Sabat leaves legacy gift to students of Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology

Durham College (DC) and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) announced today a $900,000 donation from the Estate of Anne Sabat. The gift will be shared equally by the two institutions to create scholarships and bursaries for students to pursue post-secondary education.

Ms. Sabat, who passed away in 2015, was a longtime resident of Oshawa whose family built a successful dry goods and retail business after arriving in Canada in the early 1900s. Although Ms. Sabat’s father and mother had little formal education, they strongly believed in its benefits and this commitment was carried on by their children, and in particular Anne, who strongly supported the college and the university.

This generous bequest will create bursaries for graduates from DC’s Centre for Success (CFS) program. The program is a partnership between the college and five local school boards designed to enable in-risk secondary school students to complete their high school academic requirements in a college setting via access to smaller class sizes, flexible schedules and increased one-to-one access to teachers. Approximately $9,000 will be distributed annually to CFS graduates who are in need of financial assistance to continue their post-secondary education. In the event that none of the centre’s graduates meet the eligibility criteria for a given year, funds will be made available to other DC students facing financial hardship to help them continue their education.

At the university, the legacy gift will be added to the Sabat Family Endowment. This fund rewards students with a minimum average of 80 per cent who are entering or continuing full-time studies. Annual income from the fund will be matched by the university to support as many as 12 annual awards with a value up to $3,000 each.

Quotes

“My Aunt Anne took great delight in meeting with staff and students and learning more about their work, studies and needs. I know she was very pleased with her decision to make these gifts to both the college and UOIT, which will total almost $1 million.”
-Sylvia Boissoin, the Sabat family

“We are incredibly grateful to the Sabat family, and particularly to Ron and Sylvia Boissoin, who have served as executors of Anne’s estate and have worked tirelessly to ensure that her wishes to make this generous donation to DC become a reality. Thanks to their commitment to education and to the young people of Durham Region, more students will be able to continue their post-secondary education and go on to lead successful and fulfilling lives.” 
-Don Lovisa, President, Durham College

“Anne Sabat was not only a part of our community but a part of the university family. We are honoured by her investment in the future of our students. Her gift will open the door to opportunity for generations to come. The Sabat family legacy will live on in our graduates, the entrepreneurs, economic builders, creators and thinkers who will shape our future.”
-Tim McTiernan, PhD, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Ontario Institute of Technology

Media contacts:

Terra Suffel
Communications and Marketing
Durham College
905.721.2000 ext. 6233
terra.suffel@durhamcollege.ca

Bryan Oliver
Communications and Marketing
University of Ontario Institute of Technology
905.721.8668 ext. 6709
bryan.oliver@uoit.ca