Every year, generous donors help open doors for College of the Rockies students. Their support reflects a wide range of motivations: honouring loved ones, strengthening industries and communities, or helping ensure future students have access to the same opportunities they once had. No matter the reason for giving, the impact is deeply felt.
Here are just a few stories that demonstrate how meaningful donor support can be.
Honouring Loved Ones Through Legacy Awards
Many donors choose to support students as a way of keeping a loved one’s legacy alive. These awards turn personal loss into opportunities for others to learn, grow, and thrive.
Dustin Bourns Leadership Award – Carrying Forward a Love of Adventure
After their son Dustin tragically passed away in a car accident, Mike Bourns and Pat Comer created the Dustin Bourns Leadership Award for Adventure Tourism Business Operations students. “The ATBO program was so important to Dustin. Receiving financial support along the way would have been a meaningful reward for his hard work. We want a part of his legacy to include helping other ATBO students to accomplish their dreams.”
Randy “Fritz” Sandberg Memorial Bursary – Remembering a Helpful Friend
Following the loss of their colleague in a workplace vehicle accident, Randy Sandberg’s coworkers established the Randy “Fritz” Sandberg Memorial Bursary. “Randy was always the first one to reach out and help others, we can’t think of a better way to honour him than through helping future heavy duty mechanics.”
Brandon Alpine Memorial Bursary – Keeping a Proud Ktunaxa Man’s Legacy Alive
After her son Brandon unexpectedly passed away, Janice Alpine worked with his employer, Aecon Group Inc. and his union SMAW Local 2300 to establish the Brandon Alpine Memorial Bursary. “My son was a proud Ktunaxa man and loved his family dearly. He was a hardworking, fun-loving father and friend and was in his element when working with his hands. This bursary helps to keep my son’s legacy alive.”
These generous acts of remembrance transform personal grief into long-lasting support for future students.
Supporting Industries and Strengthening Communities
While many awards honour loved ones, others stem from a desire to build stronger communities or encourage greater representation in key fields.
Engineers Canada Indigenous Access to Engineering Bursary – Inspiring Representation
For engineer and donor Russ Kinghorn, giving was about addressing under-representation in his field. “Indigenous people are underrepresented in engineering by a factor of at least 10, compared to the general population of Canada. I hope this bursary helps inspire Indigenous people to enter rewarding careers as engineers and help build better lives for those in Indigenous communities across Canada.”
Rick & Marg Jensen Family Foundation Bursary – Supporting Trades Excellence
As the long-time owners of New Dawn Developments Ltd., Rick and Marg Jensen wanted to help future trades professionals build strong careers. “I know the importance of individuals with the proper training and education for this field. We are continually looking for qualified carpenters and this is one way we can help individuals obtain those qualifications.”
These donors see their contributions as investments in the future of their industries—and in the region they call home.
Enhancing Hands-On Learning Through In-Kind Support
Finning Canada’s Cranbrook office donated two used Caterpillar engines to support Heavy Mechanical trades students. “We had a couple of engines we no longer needed, so donating them to the College seemed like the perfect fit. Students will be able use them to develop their disassembly, reassembly, and rebuilding skills and gain knowledge of fuel systems, emissions systems, and diagnostics.”
These contributions give students the chance to learn on equipment they’ll encounter in their future careers.
The Difference Donor Support Makes for Students
No matter the reason behind the gift, the impact is clear: donor generosity truly changes students lives. Here’s what some recipients have shared:
“Thank you for opening doors that were once shut and for giving me the opportunity to finish my schooling with a little less stress.” – Holly Gauvin, Recipient of the College of the Rockies CUPE Local 2773 Scholarship and an Indigenous Emergency Bursary.
“It was wonderful to receive the scholarship. It helped me to pay my bills and keep up with the costs associated with going to school full-time, especially as an adult.” – Jesse Isaac – Teck Scholarship
“Receiving these financial awards from the College helped relieve a lot of the pressure that I felt as a first-time post-secondary student headed into the world of academia.” – Brynn Shaw Academic Excellence Award, COVID 19 Student Emergency Help Fund
“Being awarded this scholarship meant we were able to afford groceries and childcare, and I could just focus on being a student.” – Kelly Crombie Brilliant Expansion Equity Working Group – Women in Trades Scholarship
“This award came when I was going through a lot of hardship, and it felt really good to be acknowledged for the difficulties I was experiencing and how I persevered and came out strong. It’s not too often that people get rewarded in those situations. I was stressing out as I was unsure how I would get tuition, so this was a huge blessing. Thank you!” – Kathy Rintoul, Erasing Barriers Fund for Applied Education
These voices underscore the life-changing difference donors make—not just academically, but emotionally and financially.
Every act of generosity strengthens our College community. Whether honouring a loved one, supporting a profession, or helping reduce financial barriers, donors play a vital role in shaping students’ futures. We are grateful for their ongoing commitment to empowering learners and making education more accessible for all.