“I don’t ever think I will be able to fully express my gratitude for the independence and opportunities these scholarships have given me but I hope you know that I am, along with all of the other recipients, so very thankful for your generosity. “
Our heartfelt thanks to guests who recently attended the 2017 Annual Giving launch “The Gift of Scholarships.” The evening provided guests with the opportunity to mingle with students over cocktails and canapés and hear all about the impact scholarships and financial support has had on their ability to be involved in such a fulfilling life at St Mark’s.
Through the generosity of our collegians, friends and other benefactors, over 50% of our students currently receive some form of financial assistance through scholarships, prizes and bursaries. Without this support many of them would not be able to attend or continue to live at College.
President of the St Mark’s Foundation, James Price welcomed guests to the inaugural Annual Giving launch and thanked them for their continued support and belief in the College through their generosity and benefaction.
The Master, Rose Alwyn spoke about the origins of some of our earliest scholarships that date back to 1937. The vision of the St Mark’s founders and leaders in the early years “was critical in attracting not just the best and brightest but in providing opportunities for those students who would otherwise be debarred from attending the College.” The vision is still as strong today and our current scholarships are awarded to recognise a student’s contribution to College, their academic achievement or their financial circumstances.
Current students Liam Hay (2013-current) and Sarina Ferguson (2014-current) spoke about the positive impact scholarships have had on their ability to thrive at both university and St Mark’s. Sarina shared that “Ultimately St Mark’s is the reason I have become the person I am today. It has given me the confidence to want to be better, achieve more and do more with my opportunities. “
Old Collegian John Boully (1967-1968) spoke about setting up the John M Boully Scholarship at St Mark’s a few years ago due to “the College’s demonstrated record of achievement and commitment to its students.” Having benefitted from a scholarship that enabled him to live at St Mark’s for two years he wants “to support students who are achievers” and enable them to “experience a sense of connection to our cultural values and the collegiality of others”.
We encourage you to make a donation in support of scholarships. There are a range of options for donors to consider including donating to our current scholarship fund, creating your own scholarship for a short or longer term, or to simply help a student in need from time to time as a Scholarship Champion. Alternatively, you may wish to show you support to the College by donating to another important initiative outlined in our 2017 Annual Giving brochure.
Your annual gift, no matter the size, is a tangible demonstration of your desire for the College to do its best in providing an extraordinary living and learning experience for students in the years to come.
