Media Release - For Immediate Release

October 15 2010

Masons' Support of Education Invaluable: President Dodds

The continuing support of education initiatives by the Masonic Foundation of Nova Scotia is to be commended, says the President of Saint Mary’s University.

“The Masons have been our good friends over a long period of time,” Dr. J. Colin Dodds said Oct. 15 as leaders of the Foundation handed out more than $13,000 in bursaries to 15 Saint Mary’s students.

“They understand the fiscal pressure students are under at this time in their life and they are prepared to step in and help ease the burden, ensuring all students have equal access to a preeminent post-secondary education.”

The bursaries were delivered as part of a 10-year $250,000 bursary program initiated last year.

Under the bursary program, any Grade 12 graduate who is awarded a $500 or $1,000 Masonic Bursary by any of the province’s 104 Masonic Lodges will also receive a matching bursary from Saint Mary’s, if the student regularly attends the university and is in good academic standing at the Christmas break.
In addition to donating thousands of dollars to various charities throughout the province each year, the Masons in Nova Scotia have provided more than $1.3 million in scholarships and bursaries over the past 10 years. In all, the scholarship funding has helped more than 1,500 youth in Nova Scotia pursue their educational goals.

Roy E. Lively, Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons in Nova Scotia, presented 10 $1,000 bursaries and five additional bursaries worth either $500 or $800.

The $1,000 recipients were Pooja Lal, Meghan Symonds, and Katlyn Hillier, all of Dartmouth, Kumar Kutliev, Halifax, Christina Brown, Kentville, Tisa Demchenko, Middleton, Brad Busby, Beaverbank, Susannah Smith, Bedford, Danielle Bevis, Timberlea, and Bethany Odgen, Lower Sackville.

Other Freemasons in attendance for the event were Barry Imber, Deputy Grand Master for Nova Scotia, Dan Campbell, Chair of the Masonic Foundation of Nova Scotia and Greg King, Partnership Co-ordinator.

-30-

For More Information:

Steve Proctor
External Affairs
Saint Mary's University
(902) 420.5513
E-mail: steve.proctor@smu.ca
www.smu.ca

This page last modified Tuesday, 11-Jan-2011 11:52:04 AST