UPEI Supporters Create 40 New Scholarships and Awards

When the annual UPEI donor report is published in April it will provide details of more than 40 new student scholarships, bursaries, and awards created by supporters of the Building a Legacy Campaign. Generous families, individuals, and organizations have given close to $1 million to the University to assist academically gifted students and those who are in financial need.

In addition to these new awards, a growing number of existing scholarships are being strengthened and increased through the commitment of donors from all walks of life. The Rhynes family of Charlottetown recently did just that. The family has endowed the Susanah "Irene" Rhynes Memorial Scholarship. Established in memory of Irene Rhynes by her nephew, and UPEI alumnus, John R. Rhynes, it is open to full-time BA students who have an interest in history, poetry, or international studies. Thanks to additional support from John and his parents, Alex and Agnes Rhynes, UPEI has been able to increase the award to at least $1,000 per year, and ensure that it will be available to deserving students in perpetuity.

"When families come together to honour a loved one, UPEI takes the time to work through their options to Build a Legacy that will do justice to the memory and life's work of the person they are honouring. The Rhynes family is doing a wonderful service to the community by teaching the next generation about giving," says Kevin Lewis, Chief Development Officer at UPEI.

Irene Rhynes was born in Frenchfort in 1924. A serious illness prevented her from pursuing her own formal schooling but she greatly valued university education and was delighted when her niece and nephew graduated from UPEI. She passed away in January, 1989 at the age of 64. The Irene Rhynes Memorial Award established by her family will be granted every year at the Deans' Honours and Awards Ceremony.