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Enderby and Lake Country students awarded

The Irving K. Barber B.C. Scholarship Society delivers $545,000 in scholarships to students
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An Enderby and Lake Country student have earned Irving K. Barber scholarships to assist in their transfers between post secondary institutions.

A pair of North Okanagan students are getting a boost as they upgrade their education.

The Irving K. Barber B.C. Scholarship Society delivers $545,000 in scholarships to students who are transferring between B.C.’s post-secondary institutions.

Local scholarship winners are Enderby’s Duncan Gordon MacGregor, transferring from Okanagan College to the University of B.C., and Lake Country’s Darren Paterson, transferring from Selkirk College to UBC.

The scholarships are awarded annually to undergraduate students who have completed at least one year at a public post-secondary institution in B.C. and are transferring to another degree-granting institution to complete their studies. Scholarship funds come from the returns on a $15-million endowment established by the province in 2006. The fund is named after philanthropist Irving K. Barber, who had a long history of supporting public education and research projects before his death in 2012.

“Post-secondary students can seamlessly transfer between colleges, institutes and universities in B.C.,” said Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson.

“Congratulations to the more than 100 undergraduates who took advantage of the flexibility of our transfer system and qualified for a scholarship.”

To qualify for a transfer scholarship, students must have strong grades and have demonstrated volunteer service to their school and/or community.

“Students following a given career path often find that their education requirements can’t be satisfied by a single institution. Ike Barber recognized the very real need to minimize impediments for youth in their pursuit of higher education.” said Rajiv Gandhi, scholarship society chairperson.

“The endowment bearing Ike’s name is a testament to his philanthropy, his vision, and the spotlight he placed on the importance of post-secondary learning and supporting our students.”

The Irving K. Barber B.C. Scholarship Society offers scholarship and education award programs that support B.C. students attending public post-secondary institutions. The society recently announced expanded scholarship and award programs for aboriginal students and students hoping to complete part of their education overseas.  Since 2006, the society has awarded more than $13 million in scholarships and awards to thousands of B.C. students.

The society’s programs are administered by the Victoria Foundation.