Taylor Keller of the Edwards School of Business is one of many USask students thankful for scholarship support from the Campaign for Students. (Photo: Submitted)

Campaign for Students tops million-dollar mark

Taylor Keller, a third-year accounting student from the Edwards School of Business, is one of the many University of Saskatchewan (USask) students who received support from alumni donations to the Campaign for Students—the university’s annual fundraising drive for scholarships and bursaries.

By Inalie Portades

Thanks to 4,160 donors, more than $1.17 million was raised during the 2019/2020 school year to support students like Keller, who will go on to make their mark in the world.

Like many, Keller was inspired to follow in her parents’ footsteps.

“Ever since I was in Grade 2 or 3, I was already building my future plan of becoming an accountant, just like them,” said Keller, whose parents are both Edwards School of Business alumni.

Driven to succeed, she has been working hard in her accounting classes and is also taking the course requirements for a finance major.

She credits her scholarship support for allowing her to balance academia while staying involved in extracurricular activities and sports. Keller is part of the USask concert band, where she plays the bass trombone, and volunteers with the Edwards Business Students’ Society as the scholarship director. In addition, she continues to play and devote her time to the ringette community.

“Last year, I also took on more responsibility within my ringette association and started training goalies! I was able to work with about 15 different girls, from the ages of 7-17, throughout the year, in different camps and team practices.”

Keller understands the importance of donor support in students’ lives and is grateful for its impact.

“Any amount of money is a weight off of students’ backs, and it gives them the time that they don’t have to necessarily put into a job and focus on their studies or hobbies. It’s really important because it gives students the best opportunity to succeed in school.”

Donations to the Campaign for Students provides students like Keller the chance to share their talents and knowledge with communities near and far. Thanks to scholarship and bursary support, students do not have to sacrifice their time to look for part-time jobs to pay for tuition, books and living expenses, and can focus on their studies and experience everything a university education has to offer.

Keller said she sees how the impact of donations goes beyond students because of how they will influence communities both in school and after graduation.

“When you donate for a scholarship, you’re not just giving to one specific person. You’re giving to the community around them and every person that they impact. So, it’s really a gift to the community, as well as changing that one person’s life.”