CORNWALL- TD Bank Group initiated a $50,000 gift in support of the St. Lawrence College Difference We Make Campaign in Cornwall. Their gift is directed towards student aid, specifically the establishment of a new TD Bank Group Bursary in Environmental Sciences. Over the next 5 years, 50 Environmental Technician program awards valued at $1,000 each will be presented to deserving students to help offset the tuition cost associated with this unique program at St. Lawrence College. The first 3 bursaries were awarded recently to first-year entrance students Mesha Boyer, Kaitlyn Brownlee and Andrew Couturier. The bursary will be renewed at the end of the first year, provided the student continues in the Environmental Technician program and maintains an above average academic standing.

“TD understands and supports the importance of investing in post-secondary education as a means to building our communities. As such, we also understand the importance of innovative environmental studies, research and teaching programs. This includes

finding ways to remove the financial barriers that students often face when considering post-secondary studies or continuing education,” stated Michelle Huntley, Branch Manager of TD Canada Trust in Cornwall.

“St. Lawrence College is pleased that TD Bank Group is supporting our students not only in the present, but for years to come,” said Glenn Vollebregt, President and CEO of St. Lawrence College. “The Environmental Technician program that we offer at the Cornwall campus is vitally important as it speaks to the future of our environment. The students will continue to receive support in their second year, which shows not only TD Bank Group’s dedication to the program but to the students that want to pursue a career in environmental studies.”

Representatives of TD Bank Group were at the St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences on Wednesday, February 5th to meet two of the recipients, Andrew Couturier and Mesha Boyer, and get a first-hand account of the importance of this new bursary, their experience in this innovative program and their dreams for the future.

Students in the Environmental Technician program benefit from the College’s partner­ship with the River Institute. Located on the College’s Cornwall campus, the River Institute is a centre

for scientific research on the river and sur­rounding environment. Scientists at the River Institute are actively involved in the teaching of many of the science and field courses in the program and they work with the College in ongoing program development. Through this partnership, students have an opportunity to learn and work with research scientists on a variety of environmental issues.