Paying it forward with the gift of education

Shortly after, Mary went on to teach, and Walter stayed to finish his master’s degree. The two ran into each other in Calgary five years later. And there they began their life together, moving to Edmonton, Regina and eventually residing permanently in Calgary.

As children of Ukrainian immigrants, education was a value instilled in both at a young age. “It was something the immigrants did. There was no question of ‘if you go to university,’ it was ‘when you finish high school, you will go to university to do better than we did,’” recalls Mary. 

She shares, “my parents couldn’t afford very much, but at the time, U of A had a one-year teaching program. You took the one-year program and then you could work during the school year and do courses during the summer to finish your degree.” 

Mary reflects on the benefit of the ability to complete her degree while working, and resonates with the students of today. “There are kids today who can’t afford university.” She and Walter decided to help by providing a bequest in their Will to the U of A to create two endowments in their names in support of student awards in the Faculty of Education and the Faculty of Engineering. Their generous gifts will help future generations of students attend university and pursue their careers. 

The couple’s grandson also inspired their generosity. Born with a hearing impairment, Mary and Walter saw how the right support has positively impacted their grandson’s life. And so, their legacy gift will create the Walter & Mary Babowal Bursary  in honour of their grandson. Their second endowment will support the Walter & Mary Babowal Graduate Scholarship in Civil Engineering.

Mary encourages other alumni to consider a legacy gift to the U of A. “There’s a generation of us who were products of immigrants and have done well thanks to a university education. Pay it forward, as they say.”