Supporting those “who want to help themselves”

Karen Herland

Every second student relies on some sort of financial aid. Two out of three students who don’t complete their degrees cite finances among the reasons they abandoned their studies.

Put those two facts together, and the importance of financial support for students becomes obvious.

“When I was an international student in my final semester, I couldn’t even register for my courses, I was in so much debt,” recalled Rose Wangechi, who had come from Kenya to study here.

Addressing a team meeting of her Advancement colleagues on the community campaign, the alumni officer described the impact that $500 from the John Molson School of Business made in enabling her to complete her studies and earn her degree.

“I could not be here without that grant,” Wangechi said.

Alex Carpini, Director of Planned Giving, shared a similar message. He financed a lot of his education working in the Kon Tiki bar of the Sheraton Mount-Royal Hotel. But illness put his finances, and ability to finish school, in a precarious situation.

“I was in my last year and the Loyola Alumni Association gave me $500,” Carpini said. He was able to graduate and ended up working with the alumni association over 25 years, until 2005.

Carpini told the group that a donation of as little as $2.75 per week “won’t change your life. But that $500 sure changed mine.”

The Advancement team is seeking to raise current university participation from 41 to 45 per cent. As a demonstration of their commitment to the campaign and the importance of setting an example both internally, and for potential external funders, they hope to have full 100-per-cent participation within their department.

For Carpini, the importance of supporting students is obvious. “We’re helping kids who want to help themselves.”

His sentiment was echoed by Wangechi. “Wealth comes and goes. But education is for life.”