"My father is currently in the ICU on life support in critical condition and this is a very difficult time for my family and me. The support I received through the Student Support Fund allowed me to pay my rent, buy groceries, and support my family."
It's for students like this that Nipissing University has instituted, and is fundraising for, a new Student Support Fund says Paul Cook, who is wrapping up his eight-year tenure as Nipissing’s Chancellor.
A recent sold-out gala marked the culmination of an eight-month fundraising campaign for the fund, resulting in over $600,000 for the cause.
The Student Support Fund provides urgent financial assistance to students who find themselves in need as a result of unexpected circumstances such as housing insecurity, illness, family crisis, or other emergencies.
"It could be a health crisis, it could be a mental health crisis, it could be housing challenges," says Cook, a former chief of police.
"We've had a number of students unfortunately lose everything to fires. This empowers students to continue with their education as opposed to giving up their dreams because they've lost everything, or they can't afford to continue their education because of something that's going on that's beyond their control."
One student who used the fund said, "After my family home burnt down in June and we lost everything, I was not sure how I was going to be able to afford a new laptop while still saving for tuition and living expenses for the fall. Your donation will help me to complete my final year of my undergraduate degree."
The idea is to raise enough money so it would continue to provide support for students in perpetuity. If you can raise enough money the interest will allow students to continue to avail themselves well into the future.
That number is $1,000,000 confirmed Cook.
"Yeah, $1,000,000 is the number based on what we would normally pay out on a year, the interest on that would cover our expenses forever."
So Cook put together a group made up of people who have strong ties to the university and are well connected to the community, plus several others who have some experience in philanthropy.
"So far we're really impressed with the work that's been done. As you know, "Cook told BayToday. "North Bay is one of the most generous communities in Canada and we're getting there and we have that gala last week on the final day of convocation. We're able to announce that to date we're at $606,000. So some work to go, but certainly closer to our goal than we were eight months ago."
“It was humbling to see so many people come together in the name of student success,” said Kevin Wamsley, president of Nipissing University.
“I’d like to extend my sincere gratitude to Paul Cook and all members of the Chancellor’s Cabinet for their unwavering commitment to the Student Support Fund. Their contributions to this important cause will be felt for generations to come,” said Wamsley.
“Seeing the community come out in such great numbers to support students is nothing short of inspiring and a true testament to the generosity of our community,” said Harikesh Panchal, President, Nipissing University Student Union. “The funds raised will make a lasting difference in the lives of students who are facing difficult situations and, if not for this fund, may have had to choose between paying their bills and continuing with their education.”
Nipissing plans to make An Evening at Nipissing an annual tradition for members of the community to gather in support of a "critical area of need at the University."
To learn more about the Student Support Fund or to donate, click here.
