Three former Okanagan College students are among 16 who will each receive a $5,000 Ike Barber Transfer Scholarship this year from the Irving K. Barber British Columbia Scholarship Society. 

“These scholarships are an investment in the skills and talents of students in B.C.,” said Dr. Irving K. Barber, the philanthropist for whom the scholarship is named. 

“They help students obtain their post-secondary degrees while rewarding their outstanding accomplishments, both in the classroom and in the community.” 

Barber is the founder of Slocan Forest Products Ltd. and is known for his commitment to education and research in British Columbia. 

The scholarships are awarded annually to undergraduate students who have completed two years at a public post-secondary institution in B.C. and are transferring to another degree-granting institution in B.C. to complete their degrees. 

They are funded from returns on a $15 million endowment established by the Province in 2006.

Marie Ouellet, transferring from Okanagan College to Simon Fraser University, Sandra Bargery and James Powell, both transferring from Okanagan College to UBCO, will each receive a $5,000 Ike Barber Transfer Scholarship from the Irving K. Barber British Columbia Scholarship Society.

Students must have a grade point average of at least 3.5 or 87.5 per cent for 54 credits completed and have demonstrated service to their school and/or community. 

Scholarships of $5,000 each are awarded annually to undergraduate students across B.C.

“By helping students meet their financial needs for post-secondary education, we all win,” said Jim Reed, chair of the board of the Irving K. Barber British Columbia Scholarship Society.

“These scholarships help students obtain degrees while studying closer to home longer and at less cost.”

Working in partnership with the Victoria Foundation, the Irving K. Barber B.C. Scholarship Society provides scholarships to students attending public post-secondary institutions both throughout the province and internationally. 

To date, the society has awarded over $2.2 million in scholarships.

To find out more about this fund call the Victoria Foundation at 250-381-5532 or visit www.bcscholarship.ca.