‘The Shuffle’s assistance was crucial’
Shufflers with Buzz at Shuffle 29, 2018.
They come from out West, from Montreal and from a tiny town in eastern Quebec not far from the border with Maine.
They are studying design, sociology and learning how to teach English as a Second Language. One is on the Concordia Stingers women’s hockey team.
They have all received financial support thanks the Concordia Shuffle.
The annual 6.5-kilometre walkathon from the downtown to the Loyola campus has, in the past 29 years, raised nearly $1.6 million in student financial aid, offered to more than 800 students.
Last year, more than 700 Shufflers raised a record $114,000 for student scholarships and bursaries. Organizers are hoping to break that for this, the 30th Shuffle, which starts at the downtown campus at noon on Friday, Sept. 27, 2019.
The Shuffle also kicks off Concordia’s annual Community Campaign, which bolsters student life, teaching and research at our university.
“I am really honoured to be one of recipients for the Shuffle Entrance Scholarship,” Audrey-Ann Rodrigue writes in a letter to thank her donor, mentioning that a year ago, she decided to leave her hometown, a small village four hours southeast of Montreal, called Saint-Côme-Linière.
“There’s more than one reason why I chose Concordia,” Rodrigue writes. “As a francophone, I have always wanted to study in English, especially once I decided that I wanted to become an English Teacher. The reputation of the TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) program here at Concordia attracted me a lot. I also had the opportunity to be recruited on the Stingers women’s hockey team. Hockey has always been an important part of my life and I feel blessed to still have the opportunity to compete while completing my bachelor’s degree.”
Dominique Montesano, from Montreal, said the assistance provided by her Shuffle award gave her just the push she needed to pursue her studies in Design. She’s now in her second year.
“Receiving this bursary meant something way more to me than monetary value,” Montesano writes in her letter to her donor. “Coming from CEGEP, I was a little bit lost and confused as to what my future would hold. I was even debating taking a gap year. I went out on a whim and created a portfolio for my admission, not knowing if I would even accept my admission, or be accepted.
“The portfolio I had created took me more than two months to finalize. It was to my absolute surprise and joy that I not only got accepted into school but also awarded a scholarship based on portfolio excellence and this is thanks to you.
“This showed me that when I put in my full potential and attention I can achieve some pretty cool (and lucky) things. You gave me a push that I can’t even describe. What you have given me is motivation in myself and I can't thank you enough for that.”
Amanda Van Oort, originally from Edmonton, Alberta, who moved to Quebec before her studies here began, is in the last year of her Honours program in Sociology, where she discovered both courses she loved and her career path.
“I love being able to think critically, ask questions and be imaginative about the world around me,” she says. “I literally was in a place where I wasn't sure if I would be able to continue my studies had I not received assistance from the Shuffle.
“Being a mature student with previous debt had made money very, very tight, even as I worked part time and took out a line of credit to pay for my education.
“The Shuffle's assistance was crucial.”
Human Resources at Shuffle 29 in 2018.
Faculty members, staff, and students join forces and seek funds to support scholarships and bursaries. Shufflers will gather at 12:30 p.m. at the Engineering, Computer Science and Visual Arts Integrated Complex (EV Building) on the Sir George Williams Campus on Friday, Sept. 27, and walk 6.5 kilometres to Loyola Campus, where they will enjoy good food and entertainment at the President’s Picnic.
How can you sign up?
- Visit the Shuffle 30 website
- Click on the “Register” button located on the top right corner of the page
- Create your own team, or join an existing team. If you prefer, you can also participate as an individual Shuffler.
Student Shufflers who raise $25 or more (and non-student Shufflers who raise $40 or more) will receive a Shuffle kit with a T-shirt and water bottle and will also be eligible to win great prizes.
If you can’t participate on the day of the Shuffle, but would like to help, you can still have an impact by sponsoring a Shuffler by making a donation online.
If you have any questions, please contact the Shuffle Team at shuffle@concordia.ca or 514-848-2424, ext. 5427.
Shuffle for the climate
This year’s Shuffle coincides with the world’s largest climate march and Concordia has cancelled classes on the afternoon of Sept. 27 to allow students to attend the march.
A special Shuffle climate team will join in that event at the same time as the Shuffle continues as scheduled. Here’s how you can join the climate march:
- The climate team will be leaving from Concordia to join thousands at the George-Étienne Cartier Monument at noon on Friday, Sept. 27. If you want to help raise money for the cause but can't attend the march, you can still join the team and make an online donation.
- Concordia recognizes many types of student dedication, innovation, and leadership. The goal of this team, which seeks to raise $3,000 this year, is to establish a scholarship that honours an undergraduate student working to make a difference in our global efforts to remain within 1.5 degrees of warming.
