Faculty funded award inspired by 50 years of friendship
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“He has given so much and so generously to so many that it seemed only right to recognize his contribution to my life through an award in his name.”
A long-time Royal Roads professor says it was because of recent Order of Canada recipient Dr. Milton McClaren that the Master of Arts in Environment and Management (MAEEC) program was created in 2003 – and that fact coupled with 50 years of friendship is what inspired the creation of an award that helps MAEEC students attend conferences.
Dr. Rick Kool was a grad student at UBC when he first met McClaren, then a young professor at SFU. The impact McClaren made on Kool’s life for the 50 years that would follow inspired the creation of the Dr. Milton McClaren Student Travel Award in 2016.
“I created the award to thank Dr. McClaren for nearly 50 years of guidance, mentorship, direction, friendship and lots of fun…it is because of Milt that the MAEEC program was created and that I had the chance to move from government to RRU.”
It was at a conference where Kool met the person who would make such a tremendous impact on his life’s path. Perhaps, he says, the award he now is supporting might open the door for another person to make a similar life changing connection.
“The chance for any grad student to be able to present their findings at a conference, take a specialized workshop or just meet with other like-minded professionals can be life-expanding and career-enhancing. Providing a bit of funding to help lubricate these kinds of opportunities seemed like a wonderful way to honour Milt.”
Kool is one of a number of Royal Roads staff and faculty that make contributions to student awards. Kool says he is pleased to be able to both provide this opportunity to students and honour his long-time friend.
“He has given so much and so generously to so many that it seemed only right to recognize his contribution to my life through an award in his name.”
You too can help a MAEEC student attend a conference by contributing a gift of any size to the Dr. Milton McClaren Student Travel Award. Donations can be made one-time by clicking here, or you can sign up for payroll deductions and automatically make small contributions every pay period – to this award or any fund at Royal Roads– by filling out this form and submitting it to the Payroll Department.