Giving shape to what comes next

From left to right: Haley Wolgien-Lowe, Jessica Bennett, Abdul Abbasi, Alex Gagnon, Misha Hameed, George Houle, Colin Chan, and Joey Ray

When the University of Alberta launched the three-year fundraising campaign, Shape the Future, it began with a belief: when students are given the opportunity to succeed, they will shape a better world.

Today, that belief has become a $147-million reality.

Because of our donors, alumni, partners and friends, the campaign surpassed its $100-million goal — creating new support for scholarships, awards and bursaries, student experiences and spaces where learning, discovery and belonging can thrive.

For students like Haley Wolgien-Lowe, that support changed what was possible.

As a master’s student in bioresource technology, Wolgien-Lowe spent long hours in the lab researching alternative proteins that could help address food insecurity. Donor-supported scholarships allowed her to focus on her research and deepen her engagement within the academic community.

“Supporting students in higher education — it's a way of caring. It says: ‘I think the work you're doing is valuable. I think you have the potential to make a difference. I believe in you.’ I like the idea of giving back and making a change in the world,” she says — just as others gave to support her personal and educational journey.

For Joel Ray, donor generosity removed the barrier between a classroom in Edmonton and a patient in need in rural Alberta. A Doctor of Pharmacy student from Innisfail, Joel’s path was clarified during a rural rotation made possible by support from donors.

“A specific experience that would not have been possible without donor support was my rural community pharmacy rotation,” he says. “It removed the financial barrier and allowed me to focus fully on the unique learning opportunity.”

During that placement, Ray saw how vital pharmacists can be in smaller communities — sometimes as one of the most accessible health-care providers patients have. Because of that experience, Joel has already chosen where to start his career: back in the community that needs him most.

For Shannon Cornelsen, support opened doors to advocacy at the national level.

As a Native Studies student and member of Saddle Lake Cree Nation, Cornelsen has used her education to advocate for Indigenous students and carry forward deeply personal research.

“I was able to represent not only myself as an Indigenous student, but I was the voice for Indigenous post-secondary students across Canada,” she says. Shannon’s advocacy and research are carving out paths for the generations that will follow her.

Together, stories like these show what the campaign was always about: not only reaching a milestone, but changing lives.

“Thanks to donor generosity, more scholarships are available, a moment of discovery is possible and our campus is filled with vibrant spaces where futures begin,” says president and vice-chancellor Bill Flanagan. “The success of this campaign helps us to provide environments where teaching and research can truly flourish, giving a new generation of change makers the tools they need to tackle global challenges with confidence.”

Because of donors, students are able to participate more fully and pursue opportunities that shape their futures and ours, as they step into new communities, find their voices and carry their impact far beyond campus.

Elan MacDonald, vice-president (External Relations), notes that the true weight of this campaign is found in the people it empowers.

“The success of the Shape the Future campaign is ultimately measured by the lives we have forever changed,” says MacDonald. “Our donors have ensured that the University of Alberta remains a place where the next generation of leaders learns, leads and thrives.”

The Shape the Future campaign may have ended, but the future it helped shape is already moving forward. Every lab discovery made by Haley, every patient served by Joel, and every Indigenous student inspired by Shannon reflects the impact of a community that chose to invest in students. That generosity is already shaping the leaders who will define our tomorrow.