Even though he graduated last April with a BA in political science, Alex Etchell’s academic journey is far from over. This multi-scholarship recipient began his first year in law school at the University of Victoria in September 2009.
In his final year at UBC Alex received the Thelma Sharp Cook Scholarship, which recognized his academic standing as well as student leadership, athletic achievement and commitment to community. He previously received the Trek Excellence Scholarship, the Hugh Brock National Entrance Scholarship and the Trek Scholarship for Continuing Students.
Receiving an entrance scholarship helped Alex decide to attend UBC. “It was great to get the money, and I really felt good getting that personal letter from the university. It made me feel like they really wanted me to come to UBC.”
“Because of the scholarships, I could dedicate time to things I really wanted to do, time that I’d otherwise have to spend at a job.” Some of those things included volunteering in the Student Environment Centre, being a Sustainability Ambassador, and two years as a Residence Advisor.
Before attending UBC Alex studied at Pearson College of the Pacific on Vancouver Island. There he lived and studied with 200 other high school students from around the world. “We started a fundraising project for my roommate’s cousins in Kigali, Rwanda. Their father couldn’t afford to send all the kids to school, because not even public school is free,” he says.
Thelma Sharp Cook is a professor emerita in the Faculty of Education, who has been “interested in working with young people my whole life.” As a UBC professor, she was instrumental in the creation of the Wesbrook Scholars group. “I was the chair of the Senate Awards Committee and we were fundraising to increase the number and value of scholarships and bursaries. There wasn’t any kind of club for excellent students, and so we established the Wesbrook Scholars. In the early days all we could offer was the prestige; there wasn’t any money!”
“The need is still there today,” she adds. “Scholarships allow students to accomplish some great things in their time at UBC.” Thelma is clearly enthusiastic about Alex and other students who earn scholarships at UBC. “You need to keep an eye on these great students,” she says. “It won’t be surprising to see them become leaders of their communities because they have already had so many experiences, and because they know how to balance their time.”
To anyone who is considering establishing a scholarship, Thelma advises, “Do it now, when you can see the difference it makes. You can always find extra money that you can put toward a scholarship. It is so important for BC and Canada’s future.”
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