Scholarship Week Three: Planting the Seed

A seed well planted and nourished tends to grow, bear fruit and provide seeds for the future. Adding to the insightful thoughts posted by Rev. Bill, these past weeks, concerning the McDougall Scholarship/Bursary Fund, opens the opportunity to help make us aware of the birth and the support of the fund. In 1994, long time McDougall members Keith and Dawn Bees bequeathed a monetary gift directed toward establishing a scholarship fund for qualifying post-secondary youth affiliated with McDougall members. A pillar of the church, Dr. Tom Enta chaired the management of the fund. Later the baton was passed onto another church stalwart - Bruce Elson who upon his move of residence, handed off to Nick Perrin who continues to manage the fund. In 2017, the fund was fertilized through a generous bequest from the Dave, Martha and Family Endowment, interest from which is added to the fund annually. The fund has managed to recognize closely approaching 150 candidates since 1994. Grateful recipients have widely ranged from doctors, engineers, ministers, bus drivers to hairdressers. The McDougall Ministry has always made room for a presentation Sunday where the candidate's family were present at a recognition ceremony. Feedback from parents, grandparents as well as the students reflected the benefits of the awards. "It wasn't so much the monetary size of the award, it was vested in the 'recognition aspect'." The recognition of achievement of twelve, sometimes trying years to achieve the graduation plateau. An opportunity for each candidate to stand up in front of a microphone and an audience of proud family and church members to express their thanks and frame their hopes and aspirations. As a McDougall family, we should be proud to be able to continue to fertilize these graduating seeds to grow into loving, productive fruits of our society.

Thank You For Your Interest And Considerations

Nick Perrin, Chair

You can learn more about the McDougall Scholarship here.