UCalgary Nursing Advancement Team receives Advancing Impact Award

Thanks to a 525 per cent increase in gift amounts for this year’s Giving Day, UCalgary Nursing’s Advancement Team received 2024’s Advancing Impact Award from UCalgary Advancement. Most funds will be directed to Power in Numbers, an initiative created over seven years ago to support undergraduate nursing students experiencing short-term financial stress. 

“We really wanted to show how our community has benefited from funds raised so we offered messages from the dean and an undergraduate student,” explains director of development, Stephanie Ng, who oversees the faculty’s campaign. “We also showcased Dr. Elaine McKiel, RN, PhD, a professor emerita, who continues to stay connected through volunteerism and philanthropy.” 

For McKiel, giving back is a no-brainer. “I grew up valuing education. But once you go to university, you realize that education is not free. It costs money. So, it’s important to support education.” McKiel, whose UCalgary Nursing’s teaching career spanned over 25 years, afforded her many wonderful opportunities. 

“The University of Calgary was good to me, so now I want to be good to the university.” 

The sometimes seemingly insurmountable challenges facing post-secondary students has only been compounded by the rebound from a crushing global pandemic. The original thought behind Power in Numbers was building smaller donations into a large nest egg of support. Hence the name. Offering gift cards in support of groceries, school supplies and household staples to tide a student over was the goal. Now, however, not only has the need increased, but the kinds of assistance has expanded.  

“We have had to adapt to changing circumstances for our students,” says Dr. Zahra Shajani, BN’02, EdD, associate dean, undergraduate programs, who vets the applications for funding. “It takes courage to say ‘I need help,’ so we try to knock down the barriers. Students are already in crisis, so they don’t have to explain themselves — that just makes them more vulnerable."  Increased funding just makes it easier to say yes to a request. 

Since its launch in 2017, UCalgary Giving Day has raised more than $10 million to create lasting, positive change — on campus, in the community and beyond — by creating exceptional student experiences, advancing critical research and empowering the next generation of business and community leaders. 

“We are delighted with the recognition from our colleagues at UCalgary Advancement, but we need funds year-round,” acknowledges Ng. “The best recognition comes from the students we are able to offer a boost to because of those in our community who see the need.”