Yukon College students to receive awards, bursaries

Whitehorse – More than 30 Yukon College students will take to the stage at the Yukon Arts Centre in Whitehorse Tuesday night to receive financial- and moral- support to finish their studies.

The second annual Yukon College Student Awards ceremony recognizes academic excellence and the need for financial support for College students. It also provides an opportunity for the donor and student recipient to meet: donors like to see their donations benefiting students and students appreciate the opportunity to say ‘thank you’ in person.

“I take my studies very seriously and I like to dedicate a lot of time to them,” says Jesse Vigliotti, a second-year student in the Northern Environmental Studies Diploma program at Yukon College.

The 31-year-old will be receiving the Aron Senkpiel Award. His hard work, solid academic performance and dedication for research saw him land the $200 award this semester. Vigliotti’s, research focuses on riparian (shoreline) ecosystems on Snafu Lake in southern Yukon.

The award was named for Aron Senkpiel, the former dean of the College’s Arts and Science Division, and an important advocate for post-secondary education in the Yukon for many years.

The Aron Senkpiel award is just one of about two dozen scholarships, bursaries and awards that are being handed out on Tuesday night. The endowment funds are provided by individuals, corporations, and foundations. Since 2007, the College has raised more than $150,000 in endowments for students.

College President Karen Barnes, Education Minister Scott Kent, and College Board of Governors co-chair Norma Shorty will be on hand to speak. The donors will hand out the individual cheques.

The attention to detail that won Vigliotti the award doesn’t just extend to his research. When we caught up with him, he was writing a thank-you note to the awards committee.

“I’m married, I’m a father of two, I live in Riverdale, and rent and oil are expensive,” he says. “This is very helpful for me to provide for my family.”

A reception will take place after the November 22nd event, with hors d’oeuvres supplied by the College’s culinary arts students. The event starts at 5PM.

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