Support for injured student

President Claude Lajeunesse has written to the organizers of a trust fund for Leslie Markofsky, who started studies at the JMSB in September, to offer him a tuition waiver and other support. The prize-winning student was seriously injured in the Sept. 13 shooting at Dawson College and is slowly recovering.

“I have personally been following reports in regards to Leslie’s recovery and I’m quite relieved and pleased to hear that things are progressing well in his case,” Lajeunesse wrote.

“Here at Concordia we certainly feel as though Leslie is part of the family, and we are looking forward to his return to classes. To that end, I want to let you know that the university will waive Leslie’s tuition fees for however long he remains a Concordia student. We are dedicated to helping Leslie complete his studies here, and hope this gesture can make a difference.”

He suggested a meeting with the Markofsky family to determine other ways to help Leslie.

The 23-year-old student was visiting friends at Dawson College when a gunman opened fire, killing one student and injuring others. He was the most seriously injured of those who survived, but has made what his family has described as a miraculous recovery, emerging from a coma.

He is now able to walk and talk, but he fa ces a long rehabilitation period. The trust fund will help with disabilities that may result from his injury and ease his re-entry to school life. A spring fashion show, sporting events and a gala evening are being planned by the organizers.

Leslie, who was a ski instructor at Mont Tremblant, is scheduled to appear Nov. 24 at the Salon d’hiver ski show at Place Bonaventure.

If you would like to contribute to the trust fund, please contact Alec Kowalchuk, (514) 481-2819, or Neil Small, (514) 260-5533.