Planning Alumni endow awards for next generation

Since its earliest days 17 years ago, the Ryerson Planning Alumni Association (RPAA) assumed as its core function the support of students. Outgoing president Taras Sakac says, “even though I graduated in 2007, I’m still discovering what it means to be an alumni. It’s nice to remain connected. I am fortunate to have received the education I did. Volunteering and giving back feels right, and is my way of saying ‘thank you.’”

The RPAA has been funding annual awards for students in Urban and Regional Planning for several years through events and pub nights. Past recipients, like Sarah Marchionda, have gone on to strong success. Sarah interned with the Centre for Urban Energy and, after graduation, started work with Quality Urban Energy Systems of Tomorrow (QUEST).

This summer, the RPAA created an endowment to support an annual undergraduate and graduate student award. The Ryerson Planning Association’s Graduate Award of Merit is the first endowed graduate award in Planning.

Incoming RPAA president Christopher Dunn said the group wanted to do something with longevity: “we liked the idea that even if we weren’t around as an association, the award and the support would be. It is a way to invest in students permanently.”

Both Sakac and Dunn say their Ryerson education was of huge benefit in their careers. They are excited about what students are achieving now, and the RPAA wants to encourage that work: “What the students are doing,” says Dunn, “is well advanced. They are using technology in a cutting edge way that the profession hasn’t caught onto yet.”

In addition to the financial awards, the association creates mentoring connections, networking opportunities, and other crossover events between members now at work in the industry and current planning students.

Dunn urges his fellow planning alumni to support the endowment. “I remember what it’s like to be a student; when times are a bit tough. This is an opportunity to help students,” he says, “and to add to the legacy of the alumni.”

Sakac adds, “by supporting awards, we are removing financial barriers for the most talented and dedicated students that will solve issues faced by cities and regions around the world. After graduation, award recipients will become our colleagues and will contribute to making an even better name for the school.”