To help NIC students, Vancouver Island accounting firm Chan Nowosad Boates (CNB) stepped forward in 2020 to make a then-record corporate donation of $125,000. A large part went to help with technological support for students to work remotely during the pandemic, but part of the donation included $25,000 for bursaries over five years to students in financial need who live in the north part of Vancouver Island.
For Port McNeill’s Amanda Murphy, the bursary helped her graduate from the health care assistant program. She had been raising two kids on her own and also took in two children of a friend, so the support was essential.
“Being a single mom, it helped me get on my feet and pay a couple bills down after not being able to work as much while going to school,” she said. “It was a huge relief.”
Former student Jennifer Spooner said the bursary allowed her to “love what she does and do what she loves.” She graduated from NIC with a fine arts degree in 2022 and focused on painting with acrylic and tattooing skin art. In 2023, she went into the college’s metal jewellery certificate program at the Campbell River campus where she graduated in April. Working from home in Sayward, she now has a business called Spoon-Mam's Art & Jewellery.
“I want to thank my family and friends as well as NIC and all the sponsors like CNB who have helped me and supported me through my journey as an artist,” she said. “I couldn't have done it without all the help.”
The bursary is available to students in northern Vancouver Island communities, including Campbell River, Port Hardy, Port McNeill, Port Alice, Alert Bay and Zeballos. The bursaries provide a total of $5,000 for each year.
“Education is one of the best equalizers,” said Derek Lamb, CNB partner. “Our partners believe that access to education provides individuals with an opportunity to achieve growth for themselves and their families, and that education can provide an individual with the opportunity to better outcomes not just for themselves but for future generations of their family.”
For CNB, these stories from students come as welcome news, and Lamb said the partners are always thrilled to get a message.
“It goes around to all our partners. Literally, everybody reads it,” he said. “The feedback we get is the best.”
Many of the people who work for CNB came through NIC. The company also provides opportunities for co-op and summer students.
There is always room for more accountants, Lamb said, so CNB’s community support helps people pursue their education for a range of career paths while also helping them stay in their communities on the north Island.
“We wanted to do what we could to reduce barriers to education or reduce stress,” he said. “We wanted to make it as easy as possible for people to succeed.”
In addition to the bursaries, CNB is now providing $10,000 for Business Achievement Awards for accounting and business administration students. This was the first year for the awards, which recognize students who get top marks in different classes.
“The purpose of the award was to recognize and award those individuals that work very hard in achieving success in their courses,” Lamb added.
Chan Nowosad Boates is the largest accounting firm on Northern Vancouver Island, with offices located in Campbell River and the Comox Valley, and has been serving clients on the Island since 1983.
About the NIC Foundation
The NIC Foundation has been advancing student success, education and community growth through NIC since 1992. It supports NIC students through scholarships and bursaries, classroom equipment and technology investments. It envisions a future where every student has the opportunity to pursue post‐secondary education, train for a new career or develop employable skills to support themselves and their families.
To support the NIC Foundation and make a difference in the lives of post‐secondary students, call 250-334-5074 or visit https://foundation.nic.bc.ca.
