Celebrating family connection with a gift to help shape a sustainable future
GIVING
A generous gift from The David and Faye Sobey Foundation will support scholarships, research awards and field placements for students in Acadia’s Environmental and Sustainability Studies (ESST) program.
By Suzanne Robicheau (’03)
Philanthropy has played a critical role in improving access for promising students, attracting inspired faculty and positioning Acadia as one of the premier post-secondary institutions in Canada. Thanks to a generous gift of $500,000 to create The David and Faye Sobey Foundation Fund for Environmental and Sustainability Studies, the University’s talented ESST students will benefit from the full experience of hands-on learning and research related to environmental sustainability. “Acadia is a leader in multidisciplinary environmental studies,” says University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Peter Ricketts. “With our planet in critical need of protection, The David and Faye Sobey Foundation’s commitment to shaping a sustainable future is a definite change-maker. We are extremely grateful for this support for our students.” A dynamic program conceived by a diverse group of faculty committed to environmental sustainability, ESST pairs an academically rigorous, trans-disciplinary approach with service to the community and society through applied learning experiences. Although only a few years old, the program’s numbers continue to grow and graduates have already earned a reputation for supporting important environmental change, either directly as environmental specialists or more generally by applying their passion and expertise in related but diverse professional and civic settings.
Vitally important
“The downside of being a new program, with relatively few alumni, is that ESST hasn’t been around long enough to attract many donations for program-specific scholarships, research awards and placement stipends,” says Nancy Handrigan (’92), Vice-President, Advancement (Interim). “That’s one of the reasons this gift from the David and Faye Sobey Foundation is so vitally important.” As one of the first students to graduate from ESST, Emily Murray (’18) was thrilled to hear of The David and Faye Sobey Foundation Fund for Environmental and Sustainability Studies. “This ESST program is so crucial and pressing in our world right now,” she says. “We are currently facing a major ecological crisis and we need all hands on deck in order to change that. This amazing gift takes us a big step closer to making that happen.” Established in 2000 in Nova Scotia, The David and Faye Sobey Foundation is a family foundation created to engage with organizations that benefit communities across Atlantic Canada. The foundation funds programs or projects in the areas of health, education, and community-based initiatives. “Today’s environmental challenges require special solutions,” says Janis Sobey-Hames, David and Faye Sobey’s daughter and Chair of the Foundation. “My father has fond memories of attending Horton Academy at Acadia and playing on the school’s rugby team. The Foundation is very pleased to celebrate this Acadia connection with a gift that advances the purpose of the University’s ESST program and encourages such a collaborative approach to safeguarding precious resources.” Interested individuals, corporations, and foundations are welcome to contribute to The David and Faye Sobey Foundation Fund for Environmental and Sustainability Studies. Together, we can make a difference!
Share this story:
Students grateful for Joyce Foundation support
The Joyce Foundation Bursaries, valued at $5,000 annually and renewable, providing a maximum of four years of support per recipient, are directed in particular to Canadian students preferably from Atlantic Canada or Ontario with demonstrated financial need who have shown exceptionality through a combination of volunteerism, leadership, citizenship, and character. One-third of the Clifford and Helena Oliver Bursaries, also established by The Joyce Family Foundation, are awarded to students from visible minority groups, particularly of African heritage. The Joyce Family Foundation was created by Canadian entrepreneur Ronald V. Joyce. His philanthropy reflects a deep-rooted sense of responsibility to give back to his community. The Foundation's primary focus is to provide access to education for children and youth with significant financial need or facing other socio-economic barriers to success. Born in Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia in 1930, Mr. Joyce is best known as the legendary Canadian entrepreneur who, in 1964, invested in the first Tim Hortons donut shop in Hamilton, Ontario and then grew the business into one of the most successful food service chains in the world. The Foundation’s generosity is very much appreciated, and students are indeed thankful for the support. First-year student Melissa Walters from Halifax, Nova Scotia wants to give back to the community in which she grew up, and looks forward to the day when she can make that dream come true. A Clifford and Helena Oliver Bursary, established by The Joyce Family Foundation, has allowed her to get one step closer, and she is grateful for their support and generosity. “I didn’t have a summer job so I didn’t really have any way to help pay for school. When I got the e-mail, it was like a weight was lifted off my shoulders.”
Doanya Gholami (’21), from Halifax, Nova Scotia, was Class of 2021 valedictorian, graduating with a degree in business, majoring in marketing. The recipient of a Clifford and Helena Oliver Bursary, established by The Joyce Family Foundation, Doanya says, “the money from this bursary enabled me to take risks because I (had) the bursary money to help me out with school, and that’s a good feeling.”
Share this story: