Last Wednesday night (November 9), humanitarians, philanthropists and donors from across the Dal and Halifax communities came together for a celebration of impact and gratitude.
The university’s annual Halifax Donor Celebration was held in the new Collaborative Health Education Building, and served as a way of thanking those whose gifts and donations make an incredible contribution to the Dal community.
President Richard Florizone addressed an audience of nearly 150 donors, thanking them for their contributions and giving an overview of the initiatives they have helped fund — not just major investments like the upcoming IDEA project and the Ocean Frontier Institute, but scholarships and bursaries that make a transformative impact on the lives of students.
“The heart of Dal is with our students” said Dr. Florizone, “It is gifts of all sizes that make up scholarships, bursaries, and student learning opportunities.”
Many students at ±«Óătv depend on these opportunities, including Nursing student Maike van Niekerk who spoke at the event. Niekerk is an award-winning student: she’s been named one of Canada’s Top 20 Under 20 and received the 2015 Red Cross Young Humanitarian of the Year, along with a ±«Óătv Schulich Leadership Scholarship and the Aramark Leadership Award.
Niekerk’s scholarships allowed her to delve into research on cancer in Indigenous populations while still volunteering nearly 25 hours each week with various health organizations in the region. Additionally, she has started multiple charitable initiatives to help those in need — both locally and across the globe.
“It has a ripple effect” she explained, “Students are able to do incredible things on campus when financial strain is taken away.”
Seeing the work of students like Niekerk is what motivates many donors to give, including Hugh Maccagno and his wife Pat. The Maccagnos helped established the Jeff and Martha Edwards Scholarship for Black Canadians and the Senator Don Oliver Bursary.
“I choose to donate to ±«Óătv because it is well known, well respected and well run” says Hugh, who is originally from Alberta.
Students from all areas of ±«Óătv feel the impacts of donations such as those from the Maccagnos. Tatjana Brauer-Chapin, a Microbiology and Immunology student involved in charitable initiatives across ±«Óătv, was able to visit Nicaragua through the Dal Connects Leadership Program.
“Philanthropic contributions from the community helps to keep our education programs modern” said Chapin, echoing the sentiments of President Florizone.
“We envision a university that graduates students with integrity,” said Florizone, “One that is connected to the issues that matter to the community and the globe.”
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