Messages of thanks from UWinnipeg Students Blog

This past month, our team has been hard at work preparing our annual Spring Stewardship mailout—an initiative that has become a meaningful touchpoint for many in our community.

Each year, this project brings donor support to life by connecting those who give with the students who benefit directly from their generosity. Fund holders receive a personalized message of thanks from their student recipient, along with a snapshot of their academic journey and a breakdown of the funding they received during the 2025/26 academic year. These messages are more than updates—they are powerful reminders of the real impact philanthropy has on student success.

Below, you’ll find three heartfelt messages from students across our campus whose university experiences have been transformed thanks to donor support. We invite you to take a moment to read their stories and see firsthand how your generosity is shaping futures and opening doors.

Recipient: Holly

“I am an Ininew (Cree) First Nation single mother with two beautiful daughters, in my final year of my 4-year undergraduate degree at the University of Winnipeg. I have managed to maintain good grades so far while working part-time hours during the week.

The next year will be a challenge, but I am motivated to take the steps necessary to achieve my goal. My daily schedule involves getting ready for school, making breakfasts and lunches, and taking both my daughters to elementary school. I take the bus to my classes and pick up my daughter before heading home to make dinner, give baths, and read stories for bedtime. My short-term goals include completing my degree with a strong academic record. My current career goal is to continue working in public service delivery within the Government of Manitoba after completing my studies. This fall/winter, I plan to find volunteer opportunities to contribute to the Winnipeg community.

When I think about all the work I will have to do to achieve my goals, I feel overwhelmed but at the same time, I feel determined to not give up. Every day I get up and do the hard work is another step in the right direction. I want to improve my procurement and supply chain abilities, so I need to graduate with good grades. I want financial success for my family, so I need to improve my communication and analytical skills. I want to be able to help when any of my family members are in need, so I need to have some sort of financial success. The path to achieving my goals isn’t an easy one, but it is a fairly clear path.”

Recipient: Parambir

“I would very kindly like to thank the donor, and for considering me as a recipient of your generosity! I was very surprised to see that I was selected as I am sure that there were many qualified candidates. I am very fortunate that people like yourself see the value in education, and unconditionally offer their resources to help support those pursuing that higher education. My goal for the future when I have the financial means is to set up a scholarship myself so I too can give back and support those students, in the same way that I was with this scholarship. It is hard to do in 150 words or less, but I would once again like to offer my deepest thanks and gratitude for the generosity offered to me! Thank you so very much!!”

Recipient: Jay Anne

“Starting university has been the best experience of my life that I have lived thus far, and I have you to thank for setting the tone of this new chapter. Being young and financially disadvantaged, my faith that I would be able to get through university and repay a whole degree worth of debt was weak. I had been planning to work as many shifts at work as I could, even if it meant passing my classes with C’s. I had not dared to believe I would get anything more than little bursaries to assist me through university, so qualifying for a scholarship that would cover my entire first term and then some flipped my entire perspective on what was possible for my future.

Being chosen for this scholarship reassured me that hard work and academic integrity is worth putting time into, quieting the fear of failure that had guided my choices in the past. My first term was filled with the excitement of learning how to navigate university; balancing homework, home life, a social life, and a job. I got to do it all without the fear of one misspent day jeopardizing my future, having one lackluster study session be my downfall with how I had to fit learning around making more money. I was able to continue prioritizing my academic standing and achieve a 4.25 grade point average in my first term of university. Your money being put towards a student in need will be directly cycled into aid for ecosystems in need.

Thanks to your help I will make a difference in the world, no matter the state of the job market when I have come of age. Thank you, deeply and sincerely, for enabling me to thrive at the University of Winnipeg. The impact of your contributions will reverberate throughout the rest of my life.”

Recipient: Cannan

“I chose the University of Winnipeg because it offers an environment where students feel supported and seen. The small class sizes allowed real connection with instructors, which helped me stay engaged and confident. I valued the focus on community, academic integrity, and personal growth. The programs aligned with the career path I wanted to pursue, and the campus resources made it easier to balance school with daily responsibilities. As a student who moved to Canada, the diverse and welcoming campus mattered to me. I wanted a place that encouraged me to push myself, and the University of Winnipeg provided that.”

Recipient: Maryann

“Knowing that there are people that are actively funding university students in order for them to get an education and reach their highest potential gives me even more motivation to carry on with my studies and enjoy every minute of it. It is thanks to people like you that there is no shortage of great minds putting themselves out there and making a difference. I have dreams that seemed so far away, but are now seeming closer by the minute, and now I have no doubts about whether or not I’ll reach them someday. I am endlessly grateful for your donation. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”

Recipient: Melanie

“I want to express my most heartfelt gratitude for your incredible generosity. I did not expect to be selected as the recipient of this award, and I am so grateful to be proven wrong. I have loved every moment of my university journey, but tuition has always been a looming source of stress. That pressure becomes even heavier when it affects the people supporting you, so my partner will be genuinely relieved and excited to hear this news. He has selflessly supported me throughout this experience, and while it hasn’t always been easy, it is thanks to him, and now thanks to you, that I feel one step closer to being debt-free. Your kindness has made a meaningful difference in my life. I hope to one day create an award of my own to ease this financial burden for future students. Thank you, truly from the bottom of my heart.”