UAlberta alumna and Faculty of Science supporter Lorna Stickel shares her perspective on planning for a better future. Photo supplied.
Building a bright future takes action today—and with a long career as a land use and water supply planner, University of Alberta alumna Lorna Stickel (‘73 MSc) is used to considering the needs of the future. That makes her support of more than 25 years as a Faculty of Science donor all the more remarkable.
Born in Canada, Stickel earned her bachelor’s degree in geography at Portland State University. When she returned to Alberta, she continued her master’s studies in the same field at the University of Alberta.
“Some of my fondest memories on campus were reconnecting with the country of my birth and appreciating the cultural aspects of Canada’s people and our history,” said Stickel. “The degree of scholastic rigor at the University of Alberta made me feel that a degree here would better prepare me for my working career.”
And her studies certainly did—leading to a career in planning how to manage our land and water resources. Now, Stickel’s generous support of the Faculty of Science is helping graduate students in their studies today through the Lorna and Alan Stickel Graduate Scholarship, supporting female students’ studies in human geography and urban and regional planning.
“By giving back, I hope to provide support for female graduate students at the university that gave me so much,” said Stickel.
While the geography studies have since been incorporated into other graduate studies programs, Stickel believes that, in our changing world, science and well-prepared graduate students are more important than ever.
“Science’s most important role in today’s world is recognizing the impacts of climate change and finding the most effective strategies to build climate resilience in our society,” said Stickel. “Supporting science—including social science—is important. It is the primary field that enables the study of climate change, water supply and quality, and land-use planning.
“These are richly rewarding fields, which need quality education and more female students to expand the talent pool—which society will need to draw on to face the significant challenges of the future.”
Want to learn more about initiatives like the Lorna and Alan Stickel Graduate Scholarship? Find out more about the impact of giving on our website, and learn how you can get involved.