International Bursary Fund

It has now been six months since Russian troops first entered Ukraine, and for these past six months, not a day has gone by that I haven’t thought about our students who have been impacted by the war.

As the director of global engagement with our international team, I can tell you that these past five months have not been easy for our students.

The stories are devastating. I can’t even imagine what these students and their families are experiencing, but I can help. And I’m asking for your help, too.

Together, with the help of Georgian alumnus Artem Lermak (class of 2017) and his partner Tetiana who is an international recruitment officer here at Georgian, we are launching a fundraising appeal to support students that need help covering their very basic living expenses like food and shelter. Georgian recently announced three new tuition bursaries as part of its initiative with Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan), and as you can imagine, the provision of emergency international student bursaries has been critical as the support that our students were receiving from their families in Ukraine has become unsustainable in recent months.

Jamie Campbell, Manager, Alumni Engagement, Annual and Legacy Giving, has confirmed a special matching opportunity for this important campaign. “Our friends at Johnson Insurance have generously agreed to match every donation made by our staff and faculty, dollar for dollar, up to $5,000”.

In addition to this, Johnson has donated 300 stuffed Newfoundland dogs – the company’s mascot. In the canine world, Newfoundland dogs are known for their sweet temperament and their ability to rescue and track when needed – a fitting tribute to those who come forward to help our students today, with the first 300 people to make a minimum gift of $50 receiving one.

I’m kicking this request off with my own donation of $1,000 and asking you to please join us in donating today. You can donate online, or donate through payroll deduction. Either way, your gift will have an immediate impact on the lives of our students and you’ll receive a charitable tax receipt for your gift.

For many of our students, you and I are the only hope they have left. As an alumnus who came to Georgian from Ukraine, I remember the excitement and optimism that came with being here. These students have lost this. They need and deserve our help, and I urge our Georgian family to join us in helping to ensure that these students have the best possible chance at completing their programs.

Artem Lermak (class of 2017)

Our friends in the Advancement and Alumni Relations department are here to help us achieve success. For more information on how you can support, or to discuss your gift further, please reach out to Jessica Comella, Annual and Legacy Giving Officer.