Giving stories
Avis Rasmussen
Avis Rasmussen's family established a scholarship in her name to celebrate her 82nd birthday and her dedication to education and art.
Giovando Family
Tony Giovando and his wife Laura Evans established the Leonard and Eileen Hamilton Scholarship in Spanish and Italian Studies. The gift honours his grandparents, who were a crucial part of his success at UVic.
Canet Foundation
In Collaboration with UVic’s School of Child and Youth Care, the Canet Foundation opened up the Spirit Bear farm to students and faculty at UVic as a living classroom to support Indigenous land-based education.
Student Ambassadors
Using their profits from selling flowers and frames at convocation the student-led group is donating $1,000 to the Student Emergency Fund. The fund offers financial support to students who are in financial crises and need immediate assistance.
Howard Petch
Former UVic president Howard Petch’s called the creation of UVic’s fabled gardens as one of his first acts of community engagement. “The university had gone through 10 years of turmoil at that point, and there were questions whether it was even going to survive,” said Petch.
Lisa Surridge
Lisa Surridge gave to honour former Dean Andrew Rippin. “Philanthropy to me is a way of reaching out beyond myself and my family to a wider world,” says Dr. Lisa Surridge, associate dean of academic in the Faculty of Humanities.
David and April Katz
David and April set up the Zena and Chaim Katz Family Endowment to support students attending the I-witness Field School Project in honour of David's parents who were Holocaust survivors.
Jesse Short-Gershman
A scholarship in honour of Jesse is now assisting other students with a passion for math and computer science reach their goals.
Dave Dunnet
After decades of inspiring young musicians in the classroom, retired UVic instructor and local music legend Dave Dunnet is cultivating a passion for music education through a new scholarship.
George and Christiane Smyth
The Smyth's generously fund an artist-in-residence in the Indigenous Summer Institute.
Chroma Quartet
A bequest from Claire Fisher is funding a one of a kind masters program for a string quartet.
Gary Geddes
Author Gary Geddes found the perfect way to honour his friends Joan Morris and Nancy Turner through donating the royalties from his book.
Leena Yousefi
Law graduate Leena believes success encompasses much more than academic performance. She set up the "Best Lawyering Award".
Cynthia Johnston
After a successful career, economics alumna Cynthia Johnston wanted to optimize her retirement by making a difference.
Alumni giving
The university's 50th anniversary was an opportunity for alumni to support future students. And they did!
The Stephens Family
The Stephens family believe in leaving the earth better than they found it.
Emil and Lynette Hain
Lynette was a true Francophile, and the absolute love of Emil's life.
Victoria Pride Society
The Society has put aside money for ten years to create a fund for students.
Stella Higgins
"Keep the flame burning" - Stella was a pioneer of the Torch newspaper and is a long-time supporter of UVic.
Jeffrey Rubinoff
The belief in “art as a source of knowledge” was the wellspring of Jeffrey’s philanthropic partnership with UVic.
Counselling Foundation of Canada
Funding from the Counselling Foundation of Canada allows the ICCP program to incorporate activities that reflect Indigenous values.
Lisa Helps
Lisa says her gift to a new scholarship fund is a gesture of paying back what she received as a UVic history student.
Coast Capital Savings
Through its innovative Youth Leaders Council program, the community-minded credit union helps young people like James attain meaningful employment.
Greig Cosier
Over decades working in UVic’s Cunningham building, Greig made a point of befriending students studying late at night. Those interactions sparked his decision to start giving back to UVic in some novel ways.
Legacy giving donors
Read the story behind the gifts from some of our legacy giving donors.