CALGARY - Local donors and business leaders joined Premier Rachel Notley; Sharon Carry, President and CEO of Bow Valley College (BVC); and David Collyer, Chair, BVC Board of Governors at the College on April 22, 2016, for the 21st Premier's Scholarship Luncheon, presented by Bow Valley Credit Union.

"We are proud to continue this valuable tradition of supporting and celebrating Alberta's next generation of leaders and innovators. Bow Valley College is ensuring its learners are well-prepared in every way for their future, and our government is working hard to make sure Alberta remains a place of unlimited possibilities for future generations. I congratulate this year's award recipients, and wish them well as they pursue their passions. I know we can continue to expect great things from them," said Premier Notley.

The Premier's Scholarship Luncheon is a major fundraiser for scholarships at the College, and over the past 21 years the money raised has helped BVC learners to reach their academic, career, and life goals. Thanks to donor contributions, and matching grants from the Government of Alberta, this year's event raised $79,905. Over the past few years, we have raised in excess of $1 million in support of learners.

"Every day I hear stories form our learners about the positive life changes that follow from their experiences at Bow Valley College. Thanks to the Premier's Scholarship Luncheon we have been able to make a lasting difference in learners' lives, enabling them to build better futures, and participate fully in society and the economy. And as learners discover a brighter tomorrow there is a ripple effect that improves their families' lives, and builds stronger communities. We all win when we help learners to succeed" said Carry.

To qualify for the Premier's Scholarship, learners have to display academic excellence, qualities of citizenship, and financial need. The learners are nominated for these awards by faculty from each school and centre. The five scholarship recipients received $3,500 each. The recipients are:

• Tsegereda Abraham, Academic Upgrading, Centre for Excellence in Foundational Learning. 
• Sienna Holden, Youth Justice, School of Community Studies and Creative Technologies. 
• Samaneh Nematianarabi, English Language Learning, Centre for Excellence in Immigrant and Intercultural Advancement. 
• Astrid Tam, Business Administration, Chiu School of Business. 
• Stephanie Lynn Taylor, Practical Nursing, School of Health and Wellness.

The Premier's Community Commitment Scholarships was also given out at the luncheon. This award recognizes the commitment of those learners who take the time to help build strong communities. Recipients of this award received $3,000 each, and this year's winners are:

New Canadian 
Beenish Azmat, English Language Learning, Centre for Excellence in Immigrant and Intercultural Advacement.

Second BVC Program 
Farhana Hoq, Practical Nursing, School of Health and Wellness.

On-line Learner
Erica Johnson, Hospital Unit Clerk, School of Health and Wellness.

Parent
a) Amina Abakari Mohamed, Academic Upgrading, Centre for Excellence in Foundational Learning. 
b) Kristine Saxberg, Academic Upgrading, Centre for Excellence in Foundational Learning.

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Bow Valley College helps learners reach their goals at our Calgary campus and at locations throughout southern Alberta. For more information on Bow Valley's donor programs visit: bowvalleycollege.ca/giving.

Bow Valley College - Calgary and region's only Comprehensive Community College - with more than 15,000 full- and part-time students, is a leader in business and health career training, community studies, adult upgrading, and English Language Learning. BVC's Test of Workplace Essential Skills (TOWES), workplace training for immigrant professionals and employment services provide a wide range of services for businesses and professionals.