Millennium Bursary assisting students, January 2002

Millennium Bursary assisting students

By Joel O’Kane
BAAJ II

For most university students, debt is a painful reality of higher education. However, St. Thomas University is hoping to alleviate some student debt with its third annual Gala Dinner. Proceeds from each $125 ticket go to the Millennium Bursary Fund. Over 350 guests will enjoy a night of great food and entertainment while helping students in financial need.

Aimee White, a second year criminology and psychology major, is a recipient of one of 30 Millennium Bursaries this year. “It is a great help to receive this bursary,” she says. “With my student loan being short this year, this money was just what I needed to make sure I have enough money for the rest of the semester.”

Valerie O’Brien, chair of the Gala Dinner, is pleased to know that the Millennium Bursary Fund is such a help to St. Thomas students. “Most students struggle a bit during the middle of the school year and the Gala Dinner is important in raising funds for the Millennium Bursary to help students who need it most,” she says.

George Steeves, in his third year of a BA degree, was especially thankful for the bursary. “Well, my mom got sick after I had started school in September and she had to take a lot of time off work. Unfortunately, my student loan had already been appraised for when she was working and it ended up not being enough to meet my financial needs,” George says. “However, the Millennium Bursary really helped to relieve the financial pressure.”

As a bonus at this year’s dinner, guests will also enjoy the rollicking Canadian political humour of Mike Duffy, a regular contributor to CTV NewsNet and also host of CTV’s Inside Edition. With over twenty years of experience on Parliament Hill, he is known as “the journalist to whom other journalists listen for insight.” Mike Duffy has also won numerous broadcasting awards, including the ACTRA award for live TV reporting and is also a member of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

The Gala Dinner will be held at the Sheraton Fredericton Hotel on Saturday, February 2, at 6 p.m. Music will be performed by the Don Bossé Trio. Tickets are $125 (with an official tax receipt for $75) and the dress is black tie optional. For tickets or further information call 452-0645 or e-mail kathyl@stthomasu.ca.