The ’72 Class Scholarship Fund began in 1997 at the 25th Reunion of our graduation. Several classmates decided that having the reunion was great but it was also time we started thinking about “giving back”. A scholarship fund for future commerce students was determined as the best answer. Pledges were asked for and classmates pledged $34,000 before the 25th Reunion was over. A wonderful beginning!
To formally establish the Class of ’72 Scholarship Fund the University was approached. It was decided to set up the fund as an endowed fund. It would be set up and controlled by the University of Manitoba Senate. As an endowed fund, the principal of the fund cannot be touched. The fund can only disburse scholarships up to the amount of its annual earnings. The fund is managed by the University as part of its total endowed funds.
It was two years before the University Senate established the Class of ’72 endowment fund. The first award under the fund was given in 2001 in the amount of $1,000. The scholarship awards have continued annually since then.
At the 40th Reunion in 2012 our classmates again contributed generously. Thanks to some matching contributions by the Manitoba Government, the Scholarship Fund grew to $211,000. The earnings available for annual scholarships grew accordingly. For the year 2021, the Class of ’72 Scholarship Fund gave 6 scholarships valued at $1,500 and 1 at $2,000 for a total of $11,000. The special award of $2,000 was made to honour the passing of Dean John Mundie in April, 2021.
As of February, 2022 the Fund principal stands at $361,000 thanks to significant recent contributions from classmate Wes Douglas. We look forward to the 50th Reunion in September and its contribution to the Fund.
I would like to acknowledge Don Keatch and Linda Stewart for their dedication to the Fund over the past 25 years. Linda was tireless in getting the fund set up at the University. She continues to manage all the dealings with the University and the Asper School. Every year Don Keatch organizes the review of the candidates and arranges the awards (which have been given by Zoom the last two years). All this without pay nor expenses covered. Thank-you Don and Linda.
Our Class of ’72 Scholarship Fund is by far the largest class fund at the Asper School. It is something our class should be very proud of.
Stu Breckon
August, 2022