A gift from an anonymous local donor will defray the cost of university for first-year students in each of the Faculty of Education, the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD) and the Department of Psychology within the Faculty of Health.
Each Faculty will receive $5,000 a year over five years for the scholarship, reflecting a total gift amount of $75,000.
The donor, an engineer by training, understands that many university students are finding it increasingly difficult to fund their education given challenging economic times, changes to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) and the uncertainty of clear career paths after graduation.
“This scholarship represents an important opportunity to give back to the community and to support the next generation of students and leaders,” he said in an interview. “My desire is to provide funding for three programs which are socially critical but are often economically undervalued.”
The donor believes that increasing access to education is essential and warrants support.
“I’ve benefited a lot from great teachers,” he said. “I value what a great teacher can do for a class or even for one student. ‘To teach is to touch’ and the impact a teacher can have on someone is enduring and profound.”
Professor Robert Savage, dean of the Faculty of Education at York, said, “I salute our donor’s generosity, as well as his deep understanding that good educators have a foundational impact on student success at all levels.
“In helping to remove financial barriers for talented students, he is creating opportunities for not only those students, but also the generations of others who will be influenced by these future teachers’ skills, knowledge and values. The ripple effect will touch people far beyond the Faculty of Education.”
The donor also aims to help students in the arts and in psychology. As a patron and supporter of the arts, he believes art can challenge people to think deeply about themselves and society. In addition, mental health support should extend to everyone, he said, because “a great mental health practitioner can make a real and lasting impact on someone’s life.”
“Beginning University is a significant milestone, and support during this important transition can have a lasting impact on a student’s confidence, success and academic journey,” says Faculty of Health Dean David Peters. “This generous gift recognizes the value of psychology education and will help our students thrive at York."
Brandon Vickerd, dean of AMPD, says the donor’s investment in student success across multiple disciplines reflects a deep commitment to the transformative power of education.
“By supporting students at a pivotal stage in their academic journeys, this gift will help foster creativity, leadership and meaningful community impact. We are grateful for the donor’s vision and generosity,” he says.
The scholarships, named the Wild Rose Awards after the donor’s native Alberta, are open to first-year undergraduates in each field. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and a strong dedication to leadership through volunteer work, student leadership roles or other community involvement, as well as a demonstrated commitment to advancing women in their field or community through leadership, advocacy or engagement.
Those interested are asked to submit a brief statement about themselves with their application.
“These scholarships are intended to enable students to pursue leadership opportunities, refine their craft and access training that they are passionate about,” the donor said. “I hope that this scholarship allows recipients to create something beautiful, whether through understanding, insight, creativity or by paying it forward to others.”
For additional information about the Wild Rose Awards, visit Student Financial Services.
With files from Elaine Smith