27 GEORGIANVIEW SPRING 2022
GRIzzLIES GIVE BACK
As a student governor and past member of the Georgian
College Students' Association, Jeff Czetwerzuk (class of
2019) learned a lot from the Georgian alumni community.
So, when the time came for Georgian to launch the new
Grizzlies Give Back Alumni Fund in fall 2021, Jeff was
ready to help.
"They encouraged me to stay committed to my goals
and to follow my passion, and helped me to realize that
I'm part of a much larger community than what I saw
on campus," he recalls. "From my own experiences
at Georgian, I know how important student awards,
scholarships and emergency bursaries can be for someone
experiencing financial challenges or food insecurity."
The new fund is a means of financial support for students,
that is fuelled by the passion and commitment of
Georgian graduates, and designed to put money directly
into the hands of the students that need it. Funds are
distributed through a newly established Georgian Alumni
Bursary, which is designed to help remove financial
barriers that prevent students from completing their
programs.
Jeff is not the only graduate who became an ambassador
for giving this year.
Shortly after the launch of the new Grizzlies Give Back
Alumni Fund, Georgian nursing alumna Lisa Tamblyn (class
of 1985) issued a challenge of her own to the college's
alumni community to make a gift to the Frontline Support:
Health-care Heroes Closer to Home campaign.
On Giving Tuesday, Lisa shared memories of a 30-
year career working in health care, and of the impact
Georgian's newly-announced Honours Bachelor of Science
– Nursing (BScN) degree program will have on supporting
the people of our region.
"I recognize the critical need for more nurses on the
frontlines" she says, "and I am so excited about this new
program, which will prepare educated, talented, caring
nurses for the future – homegrown to respond to the
unique needs of patients in our communities."
Unlocking the power of
education for future generations
Georgian's alumni community responded by donating
more than $20,000 in just 12 hours.
Maria Artuso, a 2001 graduate of the college's Business
Administration and Human Resources Management
programs, and current member of Georgian's Alumni
Association Executive Council, is a staunch advocate
for education. She helped to lead fundraising efforts to
support Georgian's Women's inTUITION program on
International Women's Day (IWD) in March 2022. The
program, which was founded by community leader Giselle
Bodkin in 2015, helps to provide financial support to
female students. This year's one-day effort raised more
than $25,000.
"We may come from different backgrounds, and have
different interests and passions," says Maria, "but we
were all students at one time or another and know just
how important this financial support can be. I give back
because I believe that education has the ability to change
the world, and I know that when our 90,000 graduates
come together, we can change the world too. Every dollar
has impact, especially when you multiply it by 90,000!"
To learn more about the Grizzlies Give Back program, or
to make a donation, visit GeorgianCollege.ca/alumni.
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Maria is guest speaker at a Junior Achievement Awards ceremony
in Ottawa.
