The Ursuline Sisters started their first school in Chatham 145 years ago and have ensured their place in the future of local education with $1-million that will fund eight scholarships, bursaries and awards to Ursuline College Chatham students.
In making the announcement, Sister Sheila McKinley says the money will be invested with the proceeds being used for the awards starting at graduation of the next school year.
"UCC is so close to our hearts and we want to make sure that this is money that can be used by people who can really benefit from it," she says. "People really want us to share our blessings with others, that's our very nature to reach out to others. No it wasn't a hard decision at all."
About half the proceeds will be used for eight individual awards. The rest will provide a committee of educators and advisors with funds to help student needs like uniforms, food or dental work, and school programs like musical instruments and new technological equipment.