Scholarships and bursaries make a difference in students' lives now ...

Scholarships and
bursaries make a positive
and lasting impact in
students’ lives now and in
the future.

Carmen Agar-Newman is the
recipient of the Elsa Stephens
Scholarship in Nursing. Carmen
is in her 4 th year of nursing,
specializing in cardiology. She
says, “ I am employed as a
student nurse in the Coronary
Care Unit and am in awe of the
speedy medical team during
acute situations. With this
scholarship I was able to afford
the “ Introduction to Critical
Care Nursing” course which
will help build my knowledge
base and guide me in the
beginning of my nursing career.
I can’t begin to explain my
appreciation and gratitude for
this scholarship.”
CARMEN
AGAR-NEWMAN

Emergency ward nurse student
Aharon Arnstein is the recipient
of the James and Phillippa Kerr
Scholarship in the School of
Nursing. Aharon says, ” I have
always known I wanted to go
further in my studies and to
work in the field of education
and policy. I hope to be able to
split my work life so I can teach
and maintain my bedside
nursing. Your gift will help me
to continue my masters courses
over the next term and I thank
you sincerely.“
AHARON ARNSTEIN

Jenny Boothman is the winner
of the Mobb Medical Ltd.
Scholarship in Nursing. Jenny
says, "I am enjoying my studies
and am very grateful for this
financial support. I have many
more productive years ahead of
me and my desire is to make a
valuable contribution to the field
of nursing."
JENNY BOOTHMAN

Shauna Breitkreutz, a single mother,
is the recipient of the Paige Cameron
Memorial Bursary in the School of
Child and Youth Care. Shauna says, "
I wanted to gain the knowledge and
skills needed to help empower
children, youth and families to reach
their goals while at the same time
impacting change on a societal level.
I have been honoured to work with
some amazing young people, with
diverse abilities who have all helped
shape me into the practitioner that I
have become. I am happy to share
that I have a job prospect and will be
interviewing for an exciting position
in the school system. I feel optimistic
about this new part of my journey
and am truly thankful for your
generosity."
SHAUNA BREITKREUTZ

I am sincerely honoured to
be nominated for the Jack
Ebbels’ Scholarship in the
School of Public
Administration. I am
confident this support will
strengthen my ability and
resolve to forge a career in
water resource management
and sustainable
development.
NICHOLAS BUNCIC

Judy Bushe is the recipient of the
Zillah (Hobart) Wood
Scholarship in Nursing. She is
training to be a nurse
practitioner and has extensive
emergency room experience. In
the Democratic Republic of the
Congo she has been working as
a nurse educator to support the
prevention and treatment of
children with malaria. In her
spare time she is hoping to make
a difference by raising funds for
orphaned, war-affected
children. She says, “ I am
honored to receive such a
generous donation that will help
me continue my education in
nursing so that I may be in a
better situation to help others.“
JUDY BUSHE

Mary Chu is the recipient of the
David and Joanne Bate Scholarship in
the School of Public Administration.
She says, " I am in the second year of
UVic's full-time MPA Co-op
Program, currently completing my
final course. Previously I have
studied biology (BSc, UVic), Nursing
(RN, U of Alberta) and Social Work
(BSW, UVic). I returned to school for
my MPA in September 2010 to
develop the skills, knowledge,
experience and support network to
realize my goal of working within
the public sector in the areas of
leadership, strategic planning, policy
analysis and/or evaluation. Your
scholarship provides welcomed
support as I enter the Master's
project phase of the program. I am
most grateful for your demonstrated
commitment to supporting students
achieving their goals."
MARY CHU

Benjamin Dowell was a
recipient of the Purves Sisters
Scholarship in the School of
Nursing. He completed his last
preceptorship at the Calgary
Foothills Medical Centre where
he was offered a full-time job in
Haematology. Pictured here with
his newborn daughter, Benjamin
says, “ I am very thankful for
this scholarship, which is very
much appreciated and needed.
Since I began my program I feel
I have found my ‘calling’ and
have pride, satisfaction and
fulfillment daily in what I am
doing.“ The support of this
important School of Nursing
scholarship enabled Benjamin to
finish his degree and support his
family when they needed him
most.
BENJAMIN DOWELL

Kirsten Esau is the recipient of
the Sisters of St Ann Graduate
Scholarship in Nursing. Before
studying to become a nurse
practitioner she worked as a
public health nurse. She says, “I
have developed a passion for
serving disadvantaged
populations and those with
chronic health conditions. I have
been greatly blessed in my life
and I hope to use what has been
given to me to help others in
need.”
KIRSTEN ESAU

Jasun Fox, a Graduate from the
School Public Administration,"I
was humbled to be a recipient of
the Ronald C. Corbeil Award for
Merit in Program Evaluation,
because of the high quality of
candidates, and because I
believe that program evaluation
and performance measurement
are essential tools for
maximizing an organization’s
effectiveness. Receiving this
award made me more confident
in my abilities and validated all
of the hard work that I put into
the related courses and co-op
work assignments. In the future,
I am hoping to work in a policy
related position for a provincial
or municipal government."
JASUN FOX

Erin Friesen, shown here with
her family, is from Williams
Lake where she has been
working as the Health Director
of the Alexis Creek First Nation.
Erin had wanted to become a
medical doctor but now that she
is nearing the end of the nurse
practitioner program and
raising two small children she
realizes that this is where she
should be right now. She hopes
to complete a PhD and establish
a women’s health clinic. She is
a recipient of the Thora Duncan
Scholarship in Nursing.
ERIN FRIESEN

Arielle Guetta is the most recent
recipient of the Jack Ebbels
Scholarship. She says, “I have just
completed my first academic
semester of the MPA program and
am about to embark on my first coop.
This scholarship has allowed me
to expand my job scope, and I will be
heading to Ottawa in January to do a
placement with Environment
Canada. Through this co-op I hope to
gain a better understanding of
environmental policy in Canada. My
goal is to use this knowledge in
environmental resource management
at either the provincial or municipal
level. I love living in BC and I am
excited about working where I can
contribute to protecting the natural
resources of this province.
Thanks again for your contribution
to this wonderful scholarship.“
ARIELLE GUETTA

Priscilla Ha is the recipient of
the TP Systems Graham Powell
Memorial Scholarship in Health
Information Science. She is a
third year student who
volunteers after hours and is
involved in on-campus clubs
and playing the piano. She says,
"I am very passionate about
healthcare and I feel that the
Health Information Science
program will assist me in
exploring that. Financial
recognition for my hard work at
school encourages me to strive
for excellence and work harder.
This scholarship has helped me
a great deal and I am very
appreciative."
PRISCILLA HA

Charlene Harmsworth is one of
the recipients of the Thora
Duncan Scholarship in Nursing.
She says, “It is an honour to
receive this scholarship. I plan
to work in critical care nursing
for a few years and then apply
for masters degree in advanced
practice as a nurse practitioner.
Thank you so much for
supporting me in realizing my
dream and for being part of my
nursing education!”
CHARLENE HARMSWORTH

Gillian Hodgson is a recent
recipient of the Thora Duncan
Scholarship in Nursing. She
says, "I am from a small town in
the Kootenays, Trail, where I
began my nursing education. I
know that this is what I am truly
meant to do. I believe there is so
much learning in this career
and that is what excites me most
about it. I hope to explore
emergency, intensive care and
paediatrics nursing in the near
future. Thank you ever so much
for being part of my nursing
education. I am very grateful for
this scholarship."
GILLIAN HODGSON

Katherine Holden is the
recipient of the Thora Duncan
Scholarship. She says, " I have
learned that nursing is a
beautiful profession that inspires
me to follow my passions and to
be the best. For now I am hoping
to work in the area of caring for
the elderly and hospice work. I
am excited to start my last year
of study on the right foot with
lots of energy and a few less
worries. Thanks again for your
wonderful generosity."
KATHERINE HOLDEN

Derrilyn Husband is the recent
recipient of the Purves Sisters
Scholarship in the School of
Nursing. She says, "During my
time in school I have become a
single mother and the stress and
financial strain often led me to
question my education's
importance. This award has
made it possible for me to
continue with my studies while
providing for my daughter. I
look forward to graduating in
April and beginning my career
in Nursing. As I move forward in
my skills and knowledge I am
hopeful that I will one day work
in the Emergency Department of
my hometown hospital. The
words in this letter cannot
express the gratitude I feel for
your contribution to my
education and the opportunity it
has helped provide for me."
DERRILYN HUSBAND

Eva Jewell is a Masters in
Indigenous Governance
candidate and the recipient of
the David and Mary Norton
Fellowship. Jewell who is a 23
year old Anishinaabekwe from
Chippewas of the Thames First
Nation in Ontario and a mother
of a young toddler, is thrilled to
have the support provided by
this award. Eva says, “ I will be
the first in my family to attain a
Graduate degree, and my
mother and grandmother are
looking forward to being
present for the defense. I thank
you for providing me with the
opportunity of alleviating costs
so I can focus on the importance
of my education! Chi Miigwech
[Thank you greatly.]”
EVA JEWELL

“I am honoured to receive this
scholarship which is
indispensible support to me as I
finish my Bachelor of Nursing
before going on to further
studies."
Alysha Jones is the recipient of
the Thora Duncan Scholarship
in Nursing.
ALYSHA JONES

Avery Kelly is one of the
recipients of the Jack Ebbels
Scholarship in the School of
Public Administration. She says,
"I am honoured to receive the
Jack Ebbels Scholarship in Public
Administration. This scholarship
will provide me with significant
support to focus solely on my
studies this semester, and will
help me to pursue co-op
placements that reflect the
values of the scholarship. I am
grateful for the opportunity and
excited to pursue a career rooted
in resource development and
environmental stewardship."
AVERY KELLY

Jabin Kim is the recipient of the
William and Gladys Partridge
Award in Child Care. Living
away from home and working
with families in distress during
her practica, she says, “Your act
of kindness has supported me in
times when financial support
was needed and absolutely
appreciated. I am very excited to
start this career and be a change
agent who is able to support
children, youth and families.”
Jabin is now employed as a
Child Protection Officer in Port
Coquitlam.
JABIN KIM

I am very thankful to receive the
Jack Ebbels Scholarship as it will
help me to pursue my goal of a
career in natural resource
management. This is a fitting match
because Jack Ebbels, as the
province's chief negotiator in the
Nisga'a land settlement claim, was
dedicated to responsible stewardship
of the land we live in. I am finding
that the Masters in Public
Administration program is providing
me with an invaluable skillset
directly relevant to today's need for
careful and responsible management
of our natural resources. I hope to
make a difference in local, national
and global management of our
planet's wealthy but limited
resources, so that we can pass on a
richer more sustainable world to
future generations. Once again I
thank the Jack Ebbels family for their
assistance in providing this
scholarship.
AMY LAW

I am very thankful for a chance
to be an MPA student at UVic.
Nearing the end of the first
semester I can say with
confidence that the program has
met and exceeded all of my
expectations. I am very
honoured to study alongside
such a great group of aspiring
individuals. I particularly thank
our knowledgeable and
experienced professors who not
only teach, but also take their
time to offer career guidance
and any other advice. I am
exceptionally proud to be
acknowledged by way of
receiving the Jack Ebbels
Scholarship. I will do my best to
ensure that my Master's project
serves as a meaningful
contribution in the realm of
natural resource management.
NATASHA LESNIKOVA

The Purves Sisters Scholarship is
named after three sisters who all
became nurses and who
practiced in British Columbia
their entire careers. Now retired,
the sisters wanted to help other
nursing students, remembering
how difficult it had been for
them to pay for tuition. Lilly Luk
is a recent award recipient
receiving the Purves Sisters
Scholarship in her final year of
studies. She says, "This
scholarship made it easier for
me to focus on my studies and
not have to work as much to pay
for tuition. Thank you!"
LILLY LUK

Glenn and Pauline Greene
donors in the School of Nursing,
with the latest recipient of their
award Devlin McDermitt, now a
nurse at the Royal Jubilee
Hospital. Devlin had not
anticipated the heavy demands
that would be placed on her by
following her calling. “Although
the nursing program has been
challenging, and has expected
more of me than I ever thought
possible, it is well worth the
time and effort.” The Greene
Scholarship not only provided
Devlin with much needed
financial assistance, it has
motivated her studies even more
as she feels that her dedication
and hard work have been
recognized.
DEVLIN MCDERMITT

Recipient of the James and
Phillippa Kerr Graduate
Scholarship in Nursing, Joanne
says, “I wanted to take this
opportunity to say a sincere
thank you. I am truly grateful
for this award and deeply moved
to receive such an honour…
While studying full-time, I am
also working full-time for VIHA
& juggling a busy family life. I
hope by role modeling my love
for life-long learning, this will
help my children to see the
value in it too.”
JOANNE MACLAREN

Allison McLean is the recent
recipient of the Royal Jubilee
Hospital Auxiliary Elsa
Groundwater Scholarship in the
School of Nursing. Currently in
her 4 th year Allison chose
nursing because she wants to
make a difference in the lives of
others. She says, “ I have always
wanted to be an operating room
(OR) nurse. This summer I was
accepted in to the Peri-
Operative Program and begin
my training in January, 2013.
Receiving this award will allow
me to focus primarily on my
studies. Thank you so much for
this opportunity.“
ALLISON MCLEAN

Tricia is a recent graduate of the
Indigenous Governance Program
at UVIC. She explains, “The
David F. Norton and Mary J.
Norton Fellowship provided the
opportunity to finish my
community based research in my
home territory; it provided the
funds necessary to move home in
order to complete my Master’s
Thesis. I am very grateful for the
assistance the Norton Fellowship
offered in a time when support
was needed. I am now a
Research Officer at the National
Association of Friendship Centres
in Ottawa, Ontario. Without my
Master’s Degree I could not have
achieved my career goals; goals
supported by the Norton
Fellowship.”
Meegwetch
TRICIA MCGUIRE-ADAMS

Lisa McPhee is the latest
recipient of the Eileen Lillian
Cowling Memorial Bursary in
the School of Nursing. Lisa says,
"Being in a degree program is
difficult enough and as a single
parent it is even more
complicated and has been at
times overwhelming
emotionally, physically,
mentally and financially. Your
donation has made it possible
for me to finish my degree. I am
the first person in my immediate
family to graduate with a degree
and whenever I ask my daughter
what she would like to be when
she grows up, she tells me “a
nurse," so who knows what we
have started here? Thank you!"
LISA MCPHEE

Simon Minshall is the most
recent recipient of the Denis
and Pat Protti Scholarship in the
School of Health Information
Science. He says, “This award
has meant a great deal to me
and my family.” The time
commitment needed to complete
all the tasks, research and
papers and to complete them
well is significant. The net result
of the award is a number of
hours per week that do not need
to be engaged in employment. To
the donors who help us students
find the time to make good work
possible through this important
endowment fund, I must express
my sincere gratitude and
thanks.“
SIMON MINSHALL

Director of the School of Health
Information Science, Dr. Abdul
Roudsaris and student Haley
Moore, recipient of the Michael
Miller Scholarship. Haley says,
“I feel grateful and honoured to
have been named a recipient of
the Michael Miller Scholarship. I
am passionate about the
healthcare field and truly
believe in the ability of health
informatics to improve patient
care. Thank you for supporting
my education so that I can build
the skills and experience I need
to pursue a rewarding career.”
HALEY MOORE

Julie Moore is a registered
psychiatric nurse working with
medically ill children at the
Stollery Children's hospital in
Edmonton. She is the first
recipient of the James and
Phillippa Kerr Scholarship in the
School of Public Health and
Social Policy who is pursuing a
Master's degree through
distance education. She says, "I
am so grateful to have received
this scholarship. It will allow me
to focus more time and effort on
my studies, giving me a break
from working extra nursing
shifts to support my tuition. This
is a true gift and I thank you so
much for your generosity and
support."
JULIE MOORE

John Nsabimana in the School of
Child and Youth Care is the
recipient of the Nelson Family
Bursary for International
Students in the Faculty of HSD.
John was a Rwandan refugee as
a child and plans to pursue a
career in Humanitarian Affairs,
particularly in the areas of child
protection, emergencies and
education. John is the Regional
Youth representative for the
United Nations Children’s
Agency and represents Canada
at the annual Youth Assembly at
the United Nations Headquarters
in New York. He is presently
pursuing a Masters in Public
Administration (MPA) from the
UVic School of Public
Administration.
JOHN NSABIMANA

Recipient of the Agnes Shahariw
Memorial Scholarship in the
School of Child and Youth Care.
Having grown up as a child in
need and going through the
devastation of AIDS on her
family, community and country,
Jolly founded the organization
“Action for Children” which
cares for over 10,000 children
in more than 3,000 families in
Uganda. "When I received the
news of the award from the
University of Victoria, I felt like
a heavy burden had just been
lifted off my head! I had reason
to smile, but instead, I cried for
joy!"
JOLLY NYEKO

Halima O'Brien is the recipient
of the Purves Sisters Memorial
Scholarship and is in her last
year in the School of Nursing.
She says, "For my practicum I
was able to work at the Easter
Seals' Camp Shawnigan for
children with disabilities. The
learning was incredible but most
of all the children and youth at
the camp were inspiring. Thank
you for being a blessing to me
this year. I hope that you will
experience the unexpected joy
of having a stranger help you
reach your dreams."
HALIMA O'BRIEN

Heather Payrastre is the
recipient of the Zillah (Hobart)
Wood Graduate Scholarship in
Nursing and hopes to pursue a
career as a nurse educator. She
says, “My research is focused on
optimizing undergraduate
education surrounding the care
of children with disabilities. I
am thrilled to have been selected
for this scholarships as it helps
me to balance the financial
burden of a graduate education
and feel supported by members
of the community who are
dedicated to nursing practice.
Like the late Mrs. Wood I was a
nurse at a summer camp. I feel
connected to this
commemorative donation
through learning about its roots
in a passion for our discipline.
Thank you so much for your
support.”
HEATHER PAYRASTRE

Jocelyn Rodrigue, winner of the
Ultan Patrick Byrne Family
Education Bursary Trust Fund
says, “This award has been of
significant assistance in
lightening the burden of paying
for my tuition. As a single
mother of three this bursary
motivates me to continue to
strive for excellence and upon
completion of the nursing
program I plan to specialize in
emergency room nursing. “
JOCELYN RODRIGUE

Justin St. Maurice was the first
Canadian recipient of the Health
Information Management
System Masters Scholarship and
also the recipient of the Denis
and Pat Protti Scholarship in the
School of Health Information
Science. Justin says, “Your
financial assistance has greatly
assisted me and my family in
pursuing this dream and I am
sincerely grateful for your
contribution. I have just
completed the first draft of my
thesis on bio-psychosocial
concepts from primary care
with language processing and
linking them to emergency room
use. I look forward to sharing
the results with the school and
the larger academic
community.“
JUSTIN ST. MAURICE

Daleena Siggelkow is a third
year Social Work student who
hopes to specialize in family and
foster care. She is most grateful
to be the student award
recipient of the Anita Lancaster
Scholarship in the School of
Social Work. This award allows
her time to volunteer at the
Young Parent Support Network
and the Best Buddies program
working with adults who have
disabilities. Daleena says,
“Without this support I would
be seeking part-time work and
would not have the time to give
back to the community. This
Scholarship has been such a
blessing for me!”
DALEENA SIGGELKOW

Mary Smith is the recipient of
the Gertrude Helen Robertson
Graduate Scholarship. Mary
says, "I am very honored to
receive such support. Awards
such as this are more than just a
financial boost; they are
motivating and spur us on to
continue striving for academic
excellence."
MARY SMITH

Robyn Spilker is the recipient of
the Anita Lancaster Scholarship
in the School of Social Work.
She says, "I chose to go into
social work because I love
working with people to create
caring, supportive communities.
When I graduate I plan to work
with women, families and
children at community nonprofits.
Eventually I hope to
pursue graduate studies and
become a professor at a faculty
of Social Work in Canada.
Thank you for helping me
further my education and my
aspirations!"
ROBIN SPILKER

Colleen Spooner is the recipient
of the Winnifred M. Clark
Bursary for undergraduates in
the School of Child and Youth
Care.
Colleen says “Education,
moving, and money all cause
stress, but because of my
bursary I didn't have to worry as
much about the money and
could concentrate more on my
education and studying to be
who I aspire to be.”
COLLEEN SPOONER

Rebecca is a mother and Masters
Student in Social Work,
Indigenous Specialization, at
UVic. On her mother’s side she
is Inupiaq from Alaska and on
her father’s side she is English.
She was raised on Wet’suwet’en
territories in Smithers, BC.
Rebecca is the recipient of the
Workplace Family Wellness
Scholarship in Social Work. She
says “It’s an honour to receive
this scholarship. It’s also a gift
that I really need, after using
student loans for so many years.
When I am finished, I wish to
continue working in the area of
my thesis topic, which is
relationship to place and
identity. Thank you for
supporting me in this work!”
REBECCA TAYLOR

Dustin van Gerven is the most
recent recipient of the Kishan
Singh & Kartar Kaur Sidhu
Memorial Bursary at the
University of Victoria. Dustin is
studying cognitive
neuropsychology with an
interest in spatial navigation,
memory and cross-cultural
differences. He says, "This
bursary provides much needed
financial relief for my family
and me: we have newborn son
(Oliver, 4 months) and I have
just learned that I will not be
receiving national grant funding
this year. Your contribution to
my education will enable me to
remain focused on my training
with less financial stress and
debt. My sincerest thanks."
DUSTIN VAN GERVEN

Third year Nursing student
Jessica Vandecar is the recipient
of the Dorothy Kergin Bursary.
Raising two small children while
attending university has had its
challenges. Jessica says,
“This financial gift is coming to
me at a time of critical need and
I am forever grateful. It is gifts
such as these that have enabled
me to focus on school without
having to worry about how to
feed my kids or keep them
warm. I am a strong student
with high hopes of working in
the West Kootenays in maternal
and child health. Thank you
again for your help."
JESSICA VANDECAR

“I am very grateful to have
received the Clark Bursary. I am
finishing my degree this summer
in Child and Youth Care. I will
be working in the field of youth
and mental health. Thank you so
much for you generosity.”
In gratitude,
Holly Wiebe
HOLLY WIEBE

Leah Wilson is the recipient of
the Joan E. Newton Scholarship
in Nursing through the
Canadian Federation of
University Women. She has been
a long time volunteer with Big
Brothers and Big Sisters. Leah
says, “I am currently starting the
final semester in the first year of
my Master’s Degree in Nursing
at the University of Victoria. I
am in the Nurse Practitioner
option of this degree and after
graduation plan to work in the
community in primary care. My
clinical interest lies in health
promotion and disease
prevention in women’s health,
specifically around nutrition,
body image and the prevention
of eating disorders.”
LEAH WILSON

Jennifer Yeoman received the
James and Phillippa Kerr
Graduate Scholarship in
Nursing. She says, "I am
currently in my first year of the
Masters in Nursing Program at
UVic with the Nurse Educator
focus. Nursing has been my
passion for many years and I
currently work in the Intensive
Care Unit at Surrey Memorial
Hospital. I aspire to educate the
next generation of dynamic
nurses and with your support I
am one step closer to achieving
my goals. Thank you for making
the James and Phillippa Kerr
Graduate Scholarship in Nursing
possible. I will never forget the
generosity extended to me."
JENNIFER YEOMAN