The University of Winnipeg

I Heart UWinnipeg

4th annual Opportunity Fundraiser was a HUGE success!

FOURTH ANNUAL ‘I HEART UWINNIPEG’ DINNER RAISES OVER $100,000 TO HELP STUDENTS IN NEED 

UW RELEASE – 2013/092

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

WINNIPEG, MB – University of Winnipeg President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Lloyd Axworthy and his wife Ms. Denise Ommanney, with the support of honorary co-chairs alumna Ms. Chantal Kreviazuk and Mr. Michael Bruneau, hosted a sold out fundraising event on May 23, 2013. The fourth annual “I Heart UWinnipeg” dinner attracted more than 600 people and raised over $100,000 to help students in need.

All proceeds benefit The Opportunity Fund, which has raised more than $1.5 million to date, Since 2007, the fund has awarded 1,158 bursaries and supported the graduation of 172 students from The University of Winnipeg.

Many generous pledges were made throughout the dinner, including one of $32,000 from Dr. Axworthy and Ms. Ommanney to establish an endowment in the name of Jennifer Rattray, UWinnipeg’s Associate VP of Indigenous, Government and Community Affairs, in honour of her longstanding devotion to the Opportunity Fund and UWinnipeg’s community-based learning initiatives. This was complemented by a $5,000 pledge from ReSolve Project Management Ltd.

Event attendees heard firsthand accounts of the positive impact derived from their support. Opportunity Fund bursary recipient Robert Robinson described in gritty detail the challenges he has faced since childhood and the positive changes he has made since enrolling at UWinnipeg. Now majoring in Urban and Inner-city Studies, Robinson expressed gratitude for the opportunity to turn his life around through education.

Similarly, Jessica Lavallee attested to the positive impact of being an Opportunity Fund beneficiary. She graduated earlier this month from UWinnipeg’s Collegiate Model School, the first in her family to earn a Grade 12 diploma. Attendees were also addressed by Megan Fultz, who generously donated her UWinnipeg entrance scholarship to the Opportunity Fund so that less-advantaged young people may achieve their post-secondary goals. Fultz will graduate from UWinnipeg next week with a BA in Human Rights and a BA in International Development Studies; she is the incoming UWSA president.

“The Opportunity Fund is about raising hope and opportunity for talented people who face barriers that prevent the realization of their full potential,” said Dr. Axworthy. “We know that education is a crucial factor in building a successful future, and that’s why the Opportunity Fund is so important to our community. We are truly grateful for the dedicated support of our valued partners: Gold Sponsor, Bee Clean; Bronze Sponsors, HUB International Insurance Brokers and Consultants and D’Arcy & Deacon LLP; as well as Media and Prize Sponsors: Winnipeg Free Press, Energy 106, West End Biz, Solcosta Resorts, Sata International Airlines, and Powerland Computers.” 

UWinnipeg thanks everyone who bought tickets to the dinner, and offers a special thank you to the following corporate sponsors for their generous support: Boom Done Next, Canadian Corporate Real Estate Services, Canad Inns, City of Winnipeg, Coca-Cola Refreshments, Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council, Davian Construction Ltd, Fisher River Cree Nation, General Child & Family Services Authority, KPMG LLP, Number Ten Architectural Group, Omnitrax Canada, Out ‘n About Travel, Peerless Garments LP, Qualico, RBC Royal Bank, ReSolve Project Management Ltd., Seven Oaks School Division, SI Alarms, Sorrento's on Ellice, Taylor McCaffrey LLP, The North West Company, Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP, University of Winnipeg - Follett Bookstore, and Winnipeg Police Association.

Last year’s event marked the unveiling of the “Education is Key” necklace, custom designed by UWinnipeg Collegiate grad and renowned jewelry designer Hilary Druxman in support of the Opportunity Fund. This year, Druxman supplemented the design with the addition of a one-of-a-kind silver “key” charm that adorns the necklace. Both items are available for purchase at The University of Winnipeg Bookstore, at Druxman’s store located in Winnipeg’s Exchange District (258 McDermot Avenue) and online at www.hilarydruxman.com.

Background - Opportunity Fund

The University of Winnipeg is committed to helping youth dream big and to eliminating financial barriers to our University. The Opportunity fund is unique in Canada, set up specifically to offer financial support to Aboriginal students, young people from war-affected areas and refugee populations, and youth from inner-city neighbourhoods through fast-track bursaries, tuition credits, and tuition waivers for youth who have grown up in the child welfare system.

The goal of the Opportunity Fund is to create a $10 million endowment fund that will ensure that everyone — regardless of background and socio-economic status — has access to university education. For further information on the Opportunity Fund, please contact the University's Awards Office at 204.779.8946 or visit uwinnipeg.ca/opportunity-fund. To donate to the Opportunity Fund, please contact the University of Winnipeg Foundation at 204.786.9995 or toll free at 1.866.394.6050, or visit: www.uwinnipegfoundation.ca

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UWinnipeg is one of Canada’s leading post-secondary institutions, consistently recognized by both  Maclean’s magazine  and The Globe and Mail. UWinnipeg is noted for academic excellence, Indigenous scholarship, environmental commitment, small class sizes and campus diversity. UWinnipeg is committed to improving access to post-secondary education for all individuals, especially those from non-traditional communities. Find out more at uwinnipeg.ca. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. 

MEDIA CONTACT 

Kevin Rosen, Director of Marketing & Communications,

The University of Winnipeg

P: 204.786.9381, E: k.rosen@uwinnipeg.ca

NEW! Hilary Druxman has designed a new key charm, available for just $10

Last year's event was a huge success - let's do it again in 2013!

May 25, 2012

WINNIPEG, MB –University of Winnipeg President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Lloyd Axworthy and his wife Ms. Denise Ommanney hosted a sold out fundraising event. The third annual “I Heart UWinnipeg” dinner, on May 23, 2012, attracted 600 people and exceeded its financial target — raising more than $210,000 to help students in need.

Generous donors who stepped forward during the dinner included alumnus Mr. Paul Swaity (United College Class of ’46) with a gift of $100,000 on his behalf and on behalf of his late wife Mrs. Opal Swaity; Manitoba Blue Cross, with a gift of $50,000; and Mrs. Marni Larkin and Mr. Lyle Misura, with a gift of $10,000 in memory of Mr. Mark Joseph Bachus. All proceeds benefit UWinnipeg's Opportunity Fund, which since 2007 has awarded more than 850 bursaries and supported the graduation of 100 students from The University of Winnipeg.

The event also marked the unveiling of the “Education is Key” necklace, custom designed by UWinnipeg Collegiate grad and renowned jewelry designer Hilary Druxman in support of the Opportunity Fund. The necklace is available for purchase at The University of Winnipeg Bookstore, at Druxman’s store located in Winnipeg’s Exchange District (258 McDermot Avenue) and online at www.hilarydruxman.com. New this year: add a Druxman-designed key charm to your necklace for just $10.

Attendees heard firsthand the profound impact the Opportunity Fund has on students. Brandon Murdock, a beneficiary of the Fund’s unique Tuition Credit program and recipient of an Entrance Scholarship to The University of Winnipeg Collegiate Model School, described his pride in becoming the first member of his family to graduate from Grade 12 and his excitement about attending The University of Winnipeg this Fall. Obafemi (Babs) and Motunrayo (Yemmy) Oladele, recent immigrants from Nigeria, also expressed gratitude at the event for the exceptional opportunities made possible by the Opportunity Fund. Both are Fast-Track Bursary recipients, currently completing the second year of a five-year integrated Bachelor of Education program at the University’s Winnipeg Education Centre (WEC).

Hon. Kevin Chief, Minister of Children and Youth Opportunities; Brandon Murdock, beneficiary of the Opportunity Fund’s Tuition Credit program; Hon. Erin Selby, Minister of Advanced Education and Literacy; Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, University of Winnipeg President & Vice-Chancellor

“While we all know the critical value of education in making a better future, we cannot overlook the barriers that can prevent talented people from achieving their full potential. That’s why the Opportunity Fund is so important to our community and we are truly grateful for the dedicated support of our valued partners,” said President Axworthy. “The University thanks the evening's Gold Sponsor, Ital-Inter Soccer Club; Silver Sponsor, Bee Clean; Bronze Sponsor, Cardinal Capital Management, Inc.; as well as Media and Prize Sponsors: Winnipeg Free Press, The Indo-Canadian Telegram, Morden’s of Winnipeg, Imperial Flooring, and Advance Electronics.”

UWinnipeg thanks everyone who bought tickets to the dinner, and offers a special thank you to the following corporate sponsors for their generous support:

Boom Done Next, Canad Inns, City of Winnipeg, Coca-Cola Refreshments, Council on Post-Secondary Education, Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council, D’Arcy & Deacon LLP, Davian Construction Ltd, Fisher River Cree Nation, General Child & Family Services Authority, Harris Consulting Corp., Norway House Cree Nation, Number Ten Architectural Group, Omnitrax Canada, Peerless Garments LP, Pony Corral Restaurant & Bar, Procurity Inc., ReSolve Project Management Ltd and Manshield Construction, Sorrento's on Ellice, Taylor McCaffrey LLP, The North West Company, Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP, University of Winnipeg - Follett Bookstore, Winnipeg Police Association, and Winpark Dorchester Properties

Background - Opportunity Fund

The University of Winnipeg is committed to helping youth dream big. To date, UWinnipeg has been able to award more than 850 Fast-Track Bursaries thanks to generous donations to the Opportunity Fund — and as a result, 100 students have graduated from UWinnipeg. Approximately 184 inner-city students are now registered in the unique Tuition Credit program, which rewards students who stay in school and graduate. The fund is unique in Canada, set up specifically to offer financial support to Aboriginal students, young people from war-affected areas and refugee populations, and youth from inner-city neighbourhoods.