This June, NIC board members will present Dr. Allan Duncan Pritchard Legacy Bursary awards to secondary school students during their award ceremonies. These financial awards paused during the pandemic but have been happening again the last few years.
“It was not only fun, but an honour to present a NIC bursary at a local high school award event! The nervous energy in the room was palpable,” said Sandra Harrison, NIC Foundation chair. “Students, faculty, family, and friends were sharing a very special moment in time—and we knew it. For each student, an education and career door had opened because of their hard work and because someone cared enough to donate funds for their education.”
When asked how the awards have helped them, students have pointed out different ways. For one student commuting between communities and unable to work part-time, the award has meant being able to focus on studies without stressing about finances. For another, it lightened the burden of tuition fees and pushed them to work harder toward their goals.
“As the cost of living rises, awards like the Pritchard bursaries are more important than ever to students across our region who are just starting out,” says Diane Naugler, Executive Director of the North Island College Foundation. "Receiving a scholarship or bursary at the start of a student’s journey tells them that their community is behind them and is confident about their future achievements.”
The money comes from the Dr. Allan Duncan Pritchard Legacy Bursary. Through this historic legacy gift to students, Pritchard encouraged the next generation of students to enrich their lives, careers and well-being through education. He was also an accomplished writer, historian, cited expert on architecture, world traveler and philanthropist.
His legacy fund bursaries support any student enrolling in any program at NIC. The donation was an unrestricted gift, which provides flexibility when it comes to helping students. In this case, the NIC Foundation spread the money out to help many students over several years. For the Foundation, Harrison said, the most important aspect is to give more students access to funds.
The awards are available to secondary school students in the region, who can get $1,000 if they attend NIC. Up to $30,000 is available through the 30 schools in North Island College’s catchment area. It should be noted that alternative programs outside traditional secondary schools like Navigate (NIDES) are eligible.
The list of eligible schools
- Alberni District Secondary School
- Bamfield Community School
- Brooks Secondary School – Powell River
- Campbell River Christian School
- Captain Meares Secondary School
- Carihi Secondary School
- Collaborative Education Alternative Program (CEAP) – P/Q
- École Au-coeur-de-l'île
- École Ballenas Secondary School- P/Q
- Eighth Avenue Learning Centre
- Eke Me-Xi Learning Centre
- Georges P. Vanier Secondary School
- Glacier View Secondary
- Gold River Secondary School
- Highland Secondary School
- Indigenous Education (NIDES)
- Kwalikum Secondary School- P/Q
- Kyuquot Secondary School
- Mark R Isfeld Secondary School Ecole Secondaire
- Nala'atsi Alternate School
- Navigate (NIDES)
- North Island Secondary School
- PASS-Woodwinds Alternative School- P/Q
- Phil & Jennie Gaglardi Academy
- Port Hardy Secondary School
- Robron Centre
- Sir Alexander Mackenzie Secondary School – Bella Bella
- Timberline Secondary School
- Ucluelet Secondary School
- Zeballos
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 with the goal of providing the best possible learning facilities are accessible on the NIC region. 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.
