Alumni
Legacy Matters – The Class of ’72 Scholarship Fund
Like many of the momentous occasions in history that we live through as individuals, most of us can recall what we were doing at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The same is true for the Class of 1972. At the beginning of the pandemic, when our world as we knew it shut down, they did something completely different – novel, in fact. They embraced the challenge and organized to meet on Sundays over Zoom to connect, kibitz and catch up on each other’s news from all over North America and beyond, after years of not having done so. What’s remarkable is that after almost three years, the group is still gathering on Sundays to enjoy each other’s company. Some overused pandemic phrases come to mind, including “silver lining” and “pivot,” to help to explain what transpired thanks to COVID-19. A unique bond has been reforged that takes the lads back to 1972.
During one of the earliest Sunday Zoom calls, the topic of their 50-year reunion came up. For the next two years, plans began to take shape including searching for lost classmates who had fallen off the School’s data rolls, dovetailing the reunion with the School’s Founder’s Day celebration and considering a memorable class gift to mark the occasion. It is a pleasure and honour to report that the collective efforts for the latter saw the creation of the Class of ’72 Scholarship Fund.
At this year’s Gold Club Lunch, held to mark the occasion of the Class’ 50-year reunion at the School on Founder’s Day, a delegation presented Shawnigan with over $200,000 to launch this new scholarship. The Old Boys from 1972 (they affectionately call themselves SLOBS) created a scholarship to honour a remarkable student at Shawnigan who otherwise would not be able to attend the School. In effect, they passed on to future generations the same gift each member of the Class of 1972 enjoyed themselves 50 years prior.
We look forward to working with future classes as they approach their 50-year reunion. It is never too early to start planning – especially if you too wish to leave a remarkable legacy gift.
Hilary S. Abbott
Advancement Associate – Legacy Giving
(250) 715-8565 cell/text
habbott@shawnigan.ca
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful West Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
