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 Graduate Student Association (GSA) Makes History with Creation of New Bursary FundFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE $50,000 Matched Endowed Bursary Marks First Major Investment in Trent’s Future by Graduate Students Friday, February 22, 2008, Peterborough The Graduate Student Association (GSA) at Trent has made a significant investment in the University’s future graduate students by donating $25,000 to establish a new GSA Bursaries Fund, creating a $50,000 endowment after the funds were matched by the provincial government’s Ontario Trust for Student Support (OTSS) program. The generous contribution marks the first time a student association at the graduate studies level has taken a leadership role in creating such a substantial bursary fund at Trent. “The creation of this new bursary fund by the GSA is indeed a momentous occasion for Trent University,” said Dianne Lister, vice-president of external relations and advancement. “At a time when our institution is working within a provincial government mandate to double student enrollment at the graduate level, bursary funds like this will play a significant role in attracting the best and brightest graduate students to Trent and ensuring they thrive in their academic pursuits.” The new GSA endowed fund will create two bursaries, valued at $1,000 each, every year. One bursary will be available to students studying at the Masters level; the other will be for students pursuing their Ph.D. The GSA also donated an additional $2,000 so the first GSA bursaries will be available to students in the 2008/09 academic year, while the endowed fund builds. “The goal of this bursary is to increase the amount of financial support available to the graduate student population that is not distributed exclusively on academic achievement, but instead upon financial need,” explained Denina Simmons, GSA treasurer. “Bursaries like these help our graduate students maintain a minimum standard of living in order to achieve educational success; they also provide students with a feeling of dignity knowing that they are valued members of our academic community and society.” -30- For more information, please contact: |
