Yukon College Launches Foundation

October 22, 2015

WHITEHORSE - Yukon College is pleased to announce the creation of the Yukon College Foundation, lead by an impressive Board of Directors - Wendy Tayler, President, Alkan Air and inaugural board chair; Jim Wilson, Branch Manager, RBC Royal Bank; Pat Tobler, Vice President/Branch Manager, EDI Environmental Dynamics Inc.; Allison Rippin Armstrong, Vice President Lands and Environment, Kaminak Gold Corporation; and Pierre Lacasse, Senior Financial Planning Advisor, Assante Financial Management – the Foundation will enhance opportunities for students, support leading-edge research and create opportunities for innovation and teaching excellence. 

“As a young mother, working part-time, Yukon College gave me the support I needed to stay in school and earn my Certified Professional Accountant designation. From there, I had the confidence to persevere and work towards my goal of one day owning my own business,” said Tayler. “The importance of education to our territory and our economy is incomparable, and I am honoured to help Yukon students reach for their potential and realize their dreams.”

The first priority of the Yukon College Foundation will be tripling the amount of financial support available to students annually. Donor-funded awards include bursaries, which provide financial aid to those struggling to pay for post-secondary and scholarships recognizing student achievement. Awards can be created through an endowment, which supports students in perpetuity, or paid annually. Thanks to the generosity of individual Yukoners, businesses and service clubs, the Foundation has already raised $27,000 of its $45,000 annual goal.

“Yukon College is on a growth trajectory,” said President Karen Barnes, “and I appreciate that such impressive community leaders are willing to share their valuable time and energy to help us achieve our goals. It speaks to the value they place on post-secondary education in Yukon.”

On October 27th Yukon College will host its 6th Annual Student Awards Ceremony, an evening that brings student award recipients and award donors together to celebrate student success and the generosity of our community.

For more information about the Yukon College Foundation or creating a student award – yukoncollege.yk.ca/student-awards