News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

A group of approximately 20 local business people calling themselves ‘TRU Grit’ have banded together to make the university an economic and social development driver in the community. This week four of those dedicated people, Ray Sanders, David Hall, Betty Turatus, Brian Garland and Lorne Doerksen, met at TRU to talk about their first endeavor: a Gala evening fundraiser for bursaries and scholarships for local students.

(Photo and information by Joe Cousins)

The event will take place on March 31in the TRU gymnasium and will include a dinner catered by the OV, silent and live auctions and live music by ‘March Hare.’

David Hall said that proceeds from the gala evening will begin to develop funds for bursaries and scholarships. “We’d like to raise more than $25,000 to support worthy students at the university,” he explained.

“Studies a few years ago showed that 60% of local students who went to UBC (University of British Columbia) returned during their first year,” stated TRU Director Dr. Ray Saunders. “When students attend university in their own community they’re much more likely to persist.”

He said that TRU Grit has three target groups: international and ‘niche’ students, students who attend TRU from local schools and mature students. “There are a lot of needs in each of those groups, including bursaries and scholarships, and meeting those needs will help us grow,” he said.

“I’ve heard that it takes a whole community to raise a child, but I think it takes a whole community to raise a university,” Brian Garland announced. “We have lofty goals for raising money at this first gala and I believe we can surprise a lot of people with our initial effort.  

“We want to see increased enrollment, increased courses and campus expansion,” he said. “There are a lot of things we can do and this is a great place to start.”

People are encouraged to book their seats early at the TRU Grit Gala by phoning 250-392-8000.

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