Toronto Raptors’ Chris Boucher Establishes SlimmDuck Scholarship at Toronto Metropolitan University to Improve Access to Post-Secondary Education
TORONTO (April 3, 2023) – The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) is pleased to announce a donation from NBA basketball player Chris Boucher of the Toronto Raptors, establishing the new SlimmDuck Scholarship. A gift from Boucher’s SlimmDuck Foundation, launched in October 2022, the scholarship will open the door to university education for five students of Caribbean descent to realize their academic aspirations. The SlimmDuck Scholarship will offer financial assistance to one student each year for the next five years through the Spanning the Gaps – Access to Post-Secondary Education program, which offers a bridge to post-secondary education for mature learners.
"At TMU, we know that access to post-secondary education changes lives," says Mohamed Lachemi, President and Vice Chancellor, Toronto Metropolitan University. "Chris Boucher has demonstrated firsthand how high an individual can reach when they are given the opportunity. Basketball, like life, is a team sport – it's through working together that we win. I am grateful to Chris for his generous gift to the Spanning the Gaps program, which will give students of Caribbean descent a new pathway to quality education and new opportunities to realize their tremendous potential."
Giving students a shot
The SlimmDuck Scholarship was created by Boucher to support students who identify as Caribbean and who intend to pursue a university degree but have gaps resulting in incomplete admission requirements for a traditional pathway into post-secondary education.
“Everyone deserves a chance, and even a second or third chance at an education and the increased opportunities it brings,” said Boucher, who plays forward for the Toronto Raptors. “The SlimmDuck Scholarship was created as a way to give back to my community, boost representation in higher education and provide a launchpad for future success. The SlimmDuck Foundation is committed to helping students reach their academic goals by providing resources and removing barriers to education. This is a win for everyone.”
The scholarship will be available for students accepted into the Spanning the Gaps program to apply through TMU’s awards and scholarships platform beginning in August. Applications for the Spanning the Gaps - Transition Foundations Program, which gives students the skills and strategies to achieve success at university, are open year-round.
“The Spanning the Gaps program at The Chang School is honoured to be selected as the recipient of a gift from The SlimmDuck Foundation,” said Gary Hepburn, Dean of The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education at Toronto Metropolitan University. “The scholarship will have a considerable impact on the lives of the student recipients. Together, we look forward to helping adult learners enhance their capacity to reach their educational goals.”
The SlimmDuck Scholarship represents a commitment to creating equity in access to higher education and aligns with the goals of The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education to support increased student representation in post-secondary studies. The gift will empower five students of Caribbean descent to prove, just as Boucher did, that it’s never too late to dominate.
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About The SlimmDuck Foundation
The mission of The SlimmDuck Foundation is to provide access to meaningful educational and athletic opportunities for youth in underserved communities throughout Canada with a particular focus on Montreal and Toronto. The SlimmDuck Foundation is committed to helping students reach their academic and educational goals by providing resources and removing barriers. For more information on The SlimmDuck Foundation, please visit www.slimmduckfoundation.org (external link) .
About The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education
At The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education at Toronto Metropolitan University, we’re transforming university continuing education. With 1,500 course offerings and over 80 career-related certificate programs including Data Analytics, Big Data, and Predictive Analytics, Project Management, and Occupational Health and Safety, we’re addressing the needs of continuous learners across Canada and internationally. Our comprehensive support services, highly experienced instructors, and strong connections to industry help learners develop their capacity to contribute to a socially progressive innovation economy. In alignment with learners' preferences for flexibility, all of our courses may be completed online. continuing.torontomu.ca
Spanning the Gaps – Access to Post-Secondary Education program
The Spanning the Gaps Transition Foundations Program removes barriers to post-secondary education by providing access through university-level programming, mentorship, tutoring, guidance and feedback to pave the way for university admission. The program is geared toward candidates who have the potential for success in post-secondary education, but also have educational gaps that have resulted in incomplete admissions requirements for traditional pathways into post-secondary studies. More than 450 adults have found meaningful careers and transformed their lives as a result of the Spanning the Gaps program, unlocking potential and expanding future possibilities. continuing.torontomu.ca/access
About Toronto Metropolitan University
Toronto Metropolitan University, formerly known as Ryerson University, is Canada’s leader in innovative, career-oriented education. Urban, culturally diverse and inclusive, the University is home to more than 48,000 students, including 2,900 Master’s and PhD students, 4,000 faculty and staff, and over 225,000 alumni worldwide. www.torontomu.ca
Media contact:
Tania Ulrich
PR & Communications Specialist
Central Communications, Toronto Metropolitan University
647-785-0984
tulrich@torontomu.ca