President Alan Shepard (far right) Shuffles with fellow Concordians at Shuffle 24 | Photo: Concordia University
Nesterow-Boyer has been a participant in the annual 6.5-km walkathon — from Sir George Williams Campus to Loyola Campus — since she joined the university 11 years ago.
This year celebrating 25 years, the Shuffle has raised over $1 million for deserving students since its inception in 1990. Every penny raised goes to student scholarships and bursaries.
Second-year English and creative writing student Esmé Pine received a Shuffle scholarship last year. While surprised to learn she’d been selected, she was deeply gratified.
“I like to work hard since I think it pays off for myself, but it’s so nice to get that recognition. It makes you want to push yourself harder,” says Pine. Not only did the scholarship reward her previous academic efforts, it spurred her motivation for the coming year.
“University can be expensive; it’s a big investment. When you feel someone is also investing in you, it makes it all worthwhile,” says Pine.
“As we celebrate Shuffle’s silver anniversary, we encourage faculty and staff across the university — as well as students and alumni — to help us make this a memorable year,” says Brad Skog, director, Annual Giving.
Catherine Vallejo, BA 68, a professor in the Department of Classics, Modern Languages and Linguistics for over 40 years, has been a Shuffle supporter for the last decade. Year after year, she makes a point to sponsor colleagues who Shuffle. She is committed to increasing funding for students.
“When I went to Sir George Williams University [one of Concordia’s founding institutions], I took night classes. I did everything without a single scholarship or bursary,” says Vallejo. “Now that I’m in a position to do so, I’d like to help current students.”
Nesterow-Boyer adds, “I'm always very grateful to have the opportunity to do good. Doing something for students is — to me — the purpose of it all.”
Shuffle is organized by Advancement and Alumni Relations and a team of volunteers.
- Shuffle 25 is Friday, September 19, 2014, at 1:30 p.m. Learn more and register now at concordiashuffle.ca.