Giving Tuesday changes students' lives

Posted: November 29, 2016 6:00 a.m.

Klaryza Belen, a 5th year student in Industrial Systems Engineering, received much needed financial assistance from Giving Tuesday donors. Says Belen; "This bursary has really helped me pay for textbooks and/or daycare fees." Photo courtesy of Niko Lehocky.

Here’s your opportunity to make a difference in a student’s life. November 29 is Giving Tuesday, a day dedicated to giving back to non-profit organizations through volunteerism and donations.

We’re asking for your help. Every dollar you donate will go towards bursaries and scholarships for students. We spoke with some students who have been beneficiaries of Giving Tuesday.

Jill Price is a second-year PhD student in experimental and applied psychology. She chose the U of R because of its great programs and professors.

"I also grew up in Regina and both of my parents are U of R alumni. So, it keeps me close to family and friends," says Price, who plans on continuing to teach at the U of R and hopes to eventually become a full-time professor. "I am so honoured to be a recipient of this bursary. It has alleviated some of the financial burden of tuition fees, allowing me to focus on my classes while expanding my research skills. Thank you so much.”

Matthew Pacholko is in his fourth year in the faculty of kinesiology and health studies. He chose the U of R to "gain knowledge in a well-structured and well-administered environment with great professors."

Pacholko's aspirations are to "convocate with a bachelor of kinesiology and health studies degree and obtain my certification as a Certified Exercise Physiologist (CEP). Aid individuals with functional limitations, injuries, chronic diseases or disabilities through exercise therapy."

The Giving Tuesday Bursary has made a big difference for him.

"I was thrilled when I received an email indicating that I was selected as a recipient,"says Pacholko. "The financial assistance from the Giving Tuesday Bursary has allowed me to concentrate more on my studies, rather than finances. I want to give a special thanks to the president’s office for matching the personal donations from donors in 2015."

(l-r) Jill Price, Matthew Pacholko, Joshua Campbell and Klaryza Belen.

Joshua Campbell is a graduate of the master of journalism program. He's currently back teaching at Miller Comprehensive Catholic High School. He plans on teaching long form journalism at the high school level and continue to produce documentaries.

"I am deeply grateful for this bursary. Money was very tight this year given that I had to pay tuition as well as finance a documentary film," says Campbell. "I really appreciate you helping make this film happen. Please visit www.growingdeception.com for more information about the documentary film that I made for my master of journalism project.”

Klaryza Belen is in her fifth year of industrial systems engineering. She aspires to work in a "company where I am a part of the improvement of people's lives, industries and/or the environment and to be able to give back some money for scholarships for those students who are in need like me."

Belen says receiving a Giving Tuesday Bursary in 2015 was a blessing.

"I'm a full-time student when I received the bursary and a mom, so working while going to school wasn't feasible at the time," says Belen. "Student loans have a quota for the amount of money they lend, and I'm not wanting to borrow too much money, so this bursary has really helped me pay for textbooks and/or daycare fees."

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