Originally posted by College and Institutes Canada
Niagara Falls, May 8, 2019 – Thanks to a generous donation of $1 million from Paul and Gerri Charette, Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) will offer a brand-new bursary program for students attending CICan member
The CICan Paul and Gerri Charette Bursary Program will provide financial support to college and institute students who demonstrate financial needs and face barriers to participate or complete post-secondary education. This year the fund will finance a total of ten bursaries of up to $5,000 each.
“In grade 12, I was given a $200 bursary that changed my life”, said Paul Charette. “Now that my wife Gerri and I are in a position to give back, we want to help students in similar need, and especially those from rural communities who have limited access to bursaries and scholarships. I hope that one day, looking back, these recipients will feel the same way I did many years ago.”
“We are incredibly grateful to Paul and Gerri for their generous donation that will help make a real difference for students across Canada, and we hope this will pave the way for other donors”, added CICan President and CEO, Denise Amyot. “As we all know, accessing post-secondary education can be a challenge for many rural students, and this bursary will help relieve some of the pressures they face. In doing so, we will not only help them achieve their dreams, but also ensure they are able to contribute fully to their communities.”
As past President and CEO of Bird Construction, Paul Charette has long recognized the importance of producing graduates who are equipped to meet current industry needs. He is also keenly aware of the challenges faced by rural students and has been a tireless supporter and champion of college and institute education, working with his local colleges and institutes, and serving on the Board of CICan for several years.
The first Paul and Gerri Charette bursaries will be distributed in September 2019. For more information, please consult the CICan website.
