Grads create a legacy
When Alusine Bah enrolled at Concordia, he didn’t have enough money for books or a bus pass. That worried the student, who had emigrated from Sierra Leone. He applied for and received a bursary, and that went a long way to alleviating his financial strain so that he could focus on his studies in Human Relations.
Now, Bah is focusing on helping students who find themselves in similar financial circumstances. He’s on the student advisory committee of the 2011 Grad Class Campaign, a collaborative initiative between student volunteers and the Advancement and Alumni Relations Office that seeks a donation from each graduating student to fund bursaries or scholarships in their class’s name.
The campaign allows graduating students to create a legacy. By helping the students following in their footsteps to achieve their own university goals, the grads show they believe in the quality of the education Concordia provides.
“I felt that it was a chance for me to appreciate the generosity of donors and to encourage others to be proud of making a difference in other students’ lives,” Bah says.
“Concordia is one of the few institutions I know of that gives people a second chance [to get a university degree] that would not have been possible otherwise.”
The other members of the 2011 Grad Class Campaign student advisory committee are Anna Chigogidze, Katrina Kaiser, Liliana Penalosa, Rishinder Rana and Alanna Rourke. They’ve been calling on graduating Concordia students to give $20.11.
Penalosa has appreciated the passion of her professors and the many opportunities to get involved in the university, the community and abroad. “It is always good to give back, and investing in places like Concordia, that help build so many futures, is an excellent way to contribute to the greater good of society,” she says.
“I think if you have enjoyed your time spent at Concordia, then that is a good enough reason to give back!” Kaiser says. “Although tuition is expensive, it only covers a portion of the cost of an education. By giving back, you are making education more accessible to everyone.”
The donations for the 2011 campaign will go towards in-course bursaries to be distributed among Concordia’s four Faculties through the Financial Aid and Awards Office.
While the graduating students are asked to give $20.11, they’re encouraged to give whatever they can because every little bit helps.
Or, as the Swahili proverb “Kidogo kidogo hujaza kibaba” goes, “Little by little fills a can.”
For more information or to join next year’s campaign team, contact Rose Wangechi at rose.wangechi@concordia.ca.
Related links:
• Giving to Concordia
• Grad Class Campaign