When Andreas Baur died unexpectedly in December 2008, within days his friends and former classmates had established a Facebook group in his memory and were discussing how to create a scholarship or bursary in his honour. At the same time, three senior executives of Shoppers Drug Mart were recommending that a gift be made to UBC in Andreas’ name.

Thanks to Dan Worsley, former Associate Director for Awards Development, the two groups found out about each other and came together to create the Andreas Baur Shoppers Drug Mart Outreach Award.

Andreas graduated from the UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2008, and had returned to his home town of Quesnel to become the Associate (Pharmacist-owner) at the local Shoppers Drug Mart. His mother Annemarie says there was never a dull moment when Andreas was around. “He made a volleyball team with his staff. He was always in touch with friends. He loved the outdoors, he loved doing so many things.”

Andreas was also a dedicated volunteer who spent his summer months throughout school volunteering at an orphanage in Ghana and starting up an HIV clinic in Kenya.

Pavan Dhillon is the Associate at Shoppers Drug Mart on Campus at UBC Vancouver. He graduated with Andreas, and was one of his closest friends. “Andreas’ experience of going to Africa was one of the key contributors to his character,” Pavan says. “When we were thinking about creating a scholarship, we wanted it to give others that life-changing experience.”

Lisa Gibbs is the Manager of Community Investment for Shoppers Drug Mart. “Our strength is in the Associate concept; the individual Pharmacist-owners in each store,” she says. “While Andreas had been an Associate for a short time, in BC everyone knows everyone else. The news of his sudden passing shocked us all and motivated us to action.”

The award inspired by Andreas is for students in Pharmaceutical Sciences who have demonstrated an interest in and commitment to working in communities that are underserved by health care professions. Annemarie says, “We want to inspire students with this scholarship. Maybe this will get them thinking a little bit, becoming more socially conscious, helping others who are not as fortunate.”

Lisa adds, “Andreas was a special individual with so much ahead of him. Thankfully, it’s rare to establish an award in honour of a life cut so drastically short. This award represents his spirit, in perpetuity.” Pavan reflects, “This award is a kind of consolation; it keeps some of Andreas’ spirit with us. We can’t change the event, just ourselves, for the better.”

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Commemorative Giving

Did you know that you can create an award, or give to an existing one, in honour of a loved one? Contact Annual Giving if you are interested in commemorative giving.

Click here for an example of memorial awards created to honour the life of a loved one.

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