Impact stories

Lucas Hung sits at a piano smiling
Lucas in the School of Music.

Donor support: key to student's self-discovery

For Lucas Hung, a third-year musicology student at UVic, donor support enabled him to give back, travel, and prepare for his future.

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Dr. Aaron Devor stands smiling in the middle of two attendees at the Moving Trans History Forward conference.
Dr. Aaron Devor (center) with attendees at the Moving Trans History Forward conference.

Support for the Trans+ Community at UVic (and beyond)

Donor support impacts every aspect of world-famous Transgender initiatives. 

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Student using lab equipment
Ramirez analyzing fish samples

Marmie Hess research grants

A legacy gift from Marmie Hess is supporting research programs spanning land, sea and stars.

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Student sitting on stone bench with university building in background
Nicole has persevered to get their degree.

Nicole Hack

It's taken over a decade, but thanks to Nicole's determination, along with support from donors, graduation is just around the corner.

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Two male students stand on the steps outside the university's Bob Wright building.
Dawson Jarvis and Sol Shaool.

Kasapi Scholars tie

In an unusual situation, two top-tier science students, Dawson Jarvis and Sol Snir Shaool, share the inaugural Kasapi Scholarship.

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A person in red coast guard winter clothing standing on a plain of ice in front of the coast guard vessel
Nimrod wrote to the donors from this research vessel.

Nimrod Rozen

Donations make it possible for students to make the most of amazing opportunities at UVic, like an ocean sciences research trip in the Arctic.

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Catherine in a black jacket standing on the UVic campus.
Catherine never imagined she would go to university.

Three priority funds making a difference

Catherine, Smriti and Madeline share how three of UVic's current priority funds make a significant difference to their university experience, and ultimately, their lives.

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Man smiles at camera with mountain and ocean view behind him.
A scholarship creates a positivity power reserve

Nihal Shavdia

From a high-school student who studied under the lights of a local gas station, to an engineering student who dreams of creating a renewable energy company, scholarships have helped Nihal come a long way.

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Jacqui Rutherford
Jacqui finds her role as an Engage Leader very rewarding.

Support for new students

Starting university during a pandemic was always going to be hard. Donor support is increasing the capacity of an innovative program to address feelings of isolation, anxiety and overwhelm in new students.

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Eliza's study space in Squamish
Eliza is taking class from her home in Squamish this semester

A very different year

Class may look different for some students this year, but your support remains the same. Find out how donor awards are helping four students make the best of the fall semester.

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Nathaniel standing by lake
Nathaniel realized this area of natural beauty would have felt like a prison to Japanese Canadians

Internment Era Field School

Donations to increase accessibility and affordability of a unique field school helped students and school teachers gain deeper understandings about an important part of Canadian history.

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Leigh Joseph
Leigh studies ethnobotany

Leigh Joseph

A donor award is helping Leigh share her knowledge of plants with her community and explore ways traditional foods and medicines may prevent and manage Type 2 diabetes—while running her own natural skincare business.

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Dominique and Wendy
Dominique with her mentor and friend, Wendy.

Dominique Rochefort

When single mom Dominique applied for financial support, she didn't expect to find a donor who would become a mentor and friend.

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Eva Habib
Donors validated her hard work

Eva Habib

With one more course to go, MPH candidate and donor award recipient, Eva Habib started her career in public health during a global pandemic. 

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Evelyn with her aunt and grandma
Evelyn visited family in Romania in 2019

Evelyn Kalman

Receiving the John Shields Scholarship meant Evelyn could spend more time at the refugee centre working on her project to evaluate supports available to immigrants.

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Zoe receiving an award
Zoe has won awards for community involvement

Zoe Goodwin-Sutton

Winning a scholarship provided Zoe with the encouragement and motivation to put team and community at the top of her priority list.

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