Donors like no other make university dreams possible
Giving supports AU awards and scholarships like the First in Family award
When Jessica Anderson (Bachelor of Human Resources and Labour Relations ’24) enrolled at Athabasca University, she became the first person in her family to pursue a degree. She doesn’t plan on being the last.
Anderson, a proud Métis woman from Airdrie, Alta., chose AU because its commitment to access and flexible learning is like no other. Thanks to AU’s First in Family Student Award, she’s able to show her two children that some barriers are meant to be broken.
“Scholarships like the First in Family award were a defining factor in my ability to pursue a degree,” said Anderson, a class of 2024 graduate. “My hope is that even though I am the first, I will not be the last in my family to complete university.”
Anderson’s experience of breaking barriers is unique to her family, but she’s in good company at AU. Some 70% of AU students are just like her—the first in their families to pursue a university education and the dream of a brighter future.
Many of those dreams would not be possible without donors whose generosity supports bursaries such as the First in Family award and many others in commitment to AU’s focus on access, opportunity, and community. To celebrate National Philanthropy Day, we’re proud to highlight how the act of giving can fuel dreams and transform the future.
Laying foundations for the future
The Semashkewich family has deep roots in AU’s home of Athabasca. They’re successful business leaders in the community with Lewis Semashkewich and son John (Master of Business Administration ’24) working in leadership roles at Melewka Structures & Design, while family matriarch Penny owns and operates salon Penny’s Headquarters on Main Street in Athabasca.
Since building community has been such an important part of their successes in business and in life, it only made sense that they turned to giving to help others realize their highest contributions. This past September, Melewka Structures & Design donated $10,000 to AU’s First in Family award, meaning another 10 students will have the opportunity to pursue their dreams.
“Building community has been a major focus of our personal and professional lives,” said Lewis Semashkewich. “Like AU, our work has strong roots in Athabasca, but the impact stretches much further to communities far and wide. We are proud to support our hometown university and to help AU students build a better future for themselves, their families, and for their own communities.”
Learn more about how Melewka Structures & Design’s gift is making dreams possible
Power of education and paying it forward
When Esmail Bharwani (Bachelor of Administration ’92) and his family moved to Canada in the 1970s, they only had suitcases of clothes and $3,000 to their names.
During his first undergrad, financial challenges put Bharwani’s dreams of a better life in jeopardy. When a professor in his program helped him find an accounting job, it not only helped pay the bills it opened Bharwani’s eyes to the power of community and generosity.
“What he did for me was a very small favour to him, but he had an impact on my life,” he said.
During a successful career as a tax lawyer, Bharwani and his wife Safana have supported numerous educational endowments at AU, Bow Valley College, Mount Royal University, and the University of Calgary through the Esmail Safana Farzana Fayaz Bharwani Foundation.
Related: Esmail Bharwani receives honorary degree from AU
In 2023, Bharwani’s four decades of giving were honoured with an Association of Fundraising Professionals–Calgary Chapter’s Lifetime Achievement Award. His efforts and matching donations for a Giving Day challenge a few weeks later also helped AU raise $8,000 for the First in Family award.
“My wife Safana and I believe education empowers people to improve the quality of their lives. My hope is that the many gifts our foundation is donating to support students will inspire others to give as well.”
Learn more about Bharwani’s commitment to giving
From risk taker to dream maker
Carter Yellowbird (Master of Business Administration ’12) isn’t afraid of taking chances. In fact, trying new things has proved a recipe for success in his life and career in business.
Yellowbird, of Samson Cree Nation, was just 16 years old when he left his home in Maskwacis, Alta., for a life in professional rodeo. His life-changing journey saw him travel the world and, in doing so, changed his views about himself and the First Nations culture he once resisted.
“Before I left, I said, ‘I’m moving away. I hate the community. I don’t want to be part of the community.’ What I didn’t realize is, wherever I run, there I am,” he said. “I was running away from myself.”
Today, Yellowbird is a business consultant who advises First Nations on how to diversify investment portfolios. He’s a proud alum and advocate for AU and the power of online learning in helping other Indigenous people achieve their dreams—no matter where they call home.
“Athabasca University is perfect for First Nations and communities that are isolated, because education can come to you.”
Every year, AU awards $1,500 to an Indigenous student through the Carter Yellowbird Indigenous Bursary.
“Hopefully it will help some other people, whether it helps with gas, helps with their tuition, food, whatever it takes. I just hope that it helps for a First Nations student to reach their goal.”
Be a dream maker for a First in Family student
Some 70% of AU students are breaking new ground without a family member having done it before them. Help support these trailblazers and make the dream of a university graduation a reality. Thank you for your commitment to increasing access and opportunity for so many in our community.
