New Bursaries Help Smash Barriers
The Joyce Foundation’s latest gift will help 20 new university students next fall
During the 2013-2014 academic year, only 11 per cent of qualified high school students who applied for a donor-funded bursary at the University of Calgary were successful. Thanks to a recent gift from the Joyce Foundation, that statistic is about to change as more students will soon be able to afford a university education.
The Joyce Foundation’s gift of $5-million will create The Joyce Foundation Jack Perraton and Ed & Lois Marshall Bursary. The impact of this gift will be felt across all disciplines and provide much needed assistance to students from Alberta who are committed to their education but face critical financial need and personal challenges.
“Access to post-secondary education is critical in breaking the cycle for disadvantaged youth and transforming the future of our young people,” says University President Elizabeth Cannon. “The Joyce Foundation’s generosity and investment will have a tangible impact, allowing youth to attend the University of Calgary who would have otherwise been constrained by their financial situation.
Up to 20 undergraduate students entering their first year at UCalgary will receive $5,000 each, beginning in the 2016-17 academic year. This award is eligible for annual renewal and each recipient will be matched with a mentor through the university’s Student Engagement Office.
The name Joyce is one you may recognize. Ron Joyce is a legendary Canadian entrepreneur, co-founder of Tim Hortons, and a humble and passionate leader. But one thing you may not know about Joyce is that amid his many successes, he has never forgot-ten his roots.
Born in Tatamagouche, N.S., in 1930, Joyce’s early life experiences of poverty and adversity presented challenges for a young man wanting a brighter future. At the tender age of 15, Joyce moved to Ontario to take on work, eventually becoming a police officer in Hamilton. In this role, Joyce saw first-hand the positive impact that education could have on the outcomes of the underprivileged youth with whom he worked.
In 1965, Joyce invested in the first Tim Hortons in Hamilton, helping grow the business into one of the most successful food-service chains in the world. Through continued perseverance and an incredible work ethic, Joyce has made an indelible mark on Canadian history.
“My childhood and all my life experiences have taught me the value of giving back to my community and investing in the education of young people,” says Joyce. “I truly believe that this is key in supporting the social, economic and emotional well-being of children and youth by empowering them to develop into healthy, confident, independent contributors to Canadian society.”
In 1995, Joyce and his family established the Joyce Foundation as a reflection of his 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.
UCalgary thanks the Joyce Foundation for its investment in future university students and we are proud to help bring Ron Joyce’s vision to life. U
Photography: courtesy of The Joyce Foundation