(June 28, 2022) - A new $200,000 gift has been made to the School of Education in the name of Wyona Thompson, Laurentian University alumna, who passed away in June 2021. This gift will be used to support full-time students in the Bachelor of Education programs in both English and French. The “Wyona Thompson Fund” will create scholarships to reward students for academic merit, bursaries to assist students in financial need, and will provide travel support to students completing placements outside the Greater Sudbury area, with preference given to placements in underserved Northern areas.
“This funding will directly benefit our students in a significant way. It will also allow students to spend time in communities in Northern areas that currently lack educators, benefiting both the students as well as the communities themselves.” - Dr. Céline Larivière, Dean of the Faculty of Education and Health.
Wyona and her late husband, Dr. Ollan White, were strong believers in the transformative power of education. Once educators themselves in the communities of Sudbury, Petawawa, and Kingston, they would be proud to know that this gift will support the next generation of educators on their journey.
“Our graduates lead by innovating in classrooms, by positively impacting the wellbeing of children and strengthening communities. Teachers are role models to children. Wyona’s gift will support education students to undertake placements in schools located in more remote and underserved communities where role models will have a tremendous and long-lasting impact on young people.” added Dr. Larivière.
The new funding will begin supporting students in the 2022-2023 academic year; students who are interested in applying for these scholarships will be able to do so via the Student Awards office.