October 14, 2009

Alumna personalizes bursary

Employee and alumna Daisy Bank has established a student bursary. / Photo: Ken Bendiktsen

“In school I watched friends work and go to school at the same time and I know how hard they worked,” says Bank. “They really deserved help. Social Sciences isn’t typically a very heavily supported faculty, and I wanted to help out in the area where I received my degree.”

At first, Bank thought she would give to an existing scholarship or bursary, but when she started looking into it, she realized how easy it was to set up a bursary of her own.

Because she can set the criteria, Bank makes sure the money is directed towards something she feels passionately about, and goes to a student she feels deserves it.

“At first I didn’t think it was something I could do, but it’s actually worked out really well,” says Bank. “I really loved my program, and I’m glad I can support someone else who loves it, and maybe even inspire them to take it to the next level.”

Bank would like anyone who is considering a gift to the U of C to know that making a gift and even establishing a bursary or award in your name is easy. “It really doesn’t take much,” she says. “It’s such an easy, small thing to do, but it makes such a difference.”