SWIFT CURRENT, SK – Great Plains College is pleased to announce the newly established Philip Gobeil Memorial Bursary in honour of the late Philip Gobeil. Gobeil was a long-time resident of Swift Current and left his entire estate to education charities, including a $100,000 donation to Great Plains College.
“Philip only obtained a partial grade eight education and always regretted not being educated,” said Paulette Guider, niece of Gobeil. “His passion was for metal work and welding, and with his inventive mind and mechanical abilities, he could have done even more if he had the opportunity to get an education. His last wish was to help other young people to go out and get that education, so this donation to Great Plains is one way our family can honour him and his final wishes.”
The Philip Gobeil Memorial Bursary will provide five $2,000 bursaries annually for 10 years. The bursaries will be awarded to students demonstrating financial need, with preference given to students enrolled in full-time trades and power engineering programs.
“It has been an honour to work with the family of Philip Gobeil to ensure his wishes were met, and we couldn’t be more grateful for their generous donation that will undoubtedly make a huge difference in the lives of many students for years to come,” said Brad Mahon, President and CEO at Great Plains College. “We know education has the power to change lives, but the cost can be a barrier for many individuals to pursue that goal of higher education. Donations like this help us provide substantial scholarship and bursary opportunities that can ease the cost of post-secondary education, giving more people a chance to pursue further education and training.”
Applications for the bursary close September 30 and the first five recipients will be named and awarded their bursaries at the October 30 scholarship reception.
Great Plains College is proud to offer one of the most competitive scholarship programs among regional colleges in the province, providing nearly $2.5 million in scholarships, awards and bursaries since 2009.
For more information about the Philip Gobeil Memorial Bursary or becoming a donor, please visit greatplainscollege.ca/donate.
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For more information contact:
Amy Masse, manager of marketing & communications
Great Plains College
Phone: 306-737-6107
Email: amym@greatplainscollege.ca