Toronto Raptors’ Chris Boucher announces inaugural recipient of the SlimmDuck Foundation Scholarship established for Toronto Metropolitan University
TORONTO (October 12, 2023) – The Chang School of Continuing Education at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) hosted NBA basketball player Chris Boucher of the Toronto Raptors last night to recognize Helen Harry as the inaugural recipient of the SlimmDuck Scholarship established by Boucher to help students of Caribbean descent realize their academic aspirations. The event also celebrated students who completed the Spanning the Gaps – Access to Post-Secondary Education program.
A gift from Boucher’s SlimmDuck Foundation, the scholarship was set up to open the door to university education for students who identify as Caribbean. It provides financial assistance to learners through the Spanning the Gaps bridging program, which offers a pathway to university for learners who intend to pursue an undergraduate degree but have gaps resulting in incomplete admission requirements for a traditional pathway into post-secondary education.
“Congratulations to Helen Harry for receiving the inaugural SlimmDuck Foundation Scholarship at Toronto Metropolitan University,” said Chris Boucher. “We are proud to provide equal access to higher education for students of Caribbean descent, a mission directly aligned with the goals of my Foundation.”
Chris Boucher with Helen Harry, the inaugural recipient of the SlimmDuck Scholarship at TMU.
The SlimmDuck scholarship includes the full suite of Spanning the Gaps programming offered through The Chang School, and $5,000 towards the cost of first-year undergraduate tuition at TMU.
"The SlimmDuck Scholarship will help ease some of my financial burdens as I start studying towards my dream of becoming a midwife," said scholarship recipient Helen Harry, who moved to Toronto from St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Changing lives with education
The SlimmDuck Scholarship represents a commitment to creating equity in access to higher education and aligns with the goals of The Chang School to support increased student representation in post-secondary studies. The gift will empower students of Caribbean descent to prove, just as Boucher did, that it’s never too late to dominate.
“At The Chang School, we are deeply committed to removing barriers to education for mature, equity-deserving, and non-traditional learners. Spanning the Gaps would not exist without the generosity of donors like Chris Boucher and The SlimmDuck Foundation,” said Gary Hepburn, Dean of The Chang School at TMU. “Financial support from the SlimmDuck Scholarship will help recipients build a solid foundation to reach their educational goals.”
The Spanning the Gaps program is currently accepting applications for the Winter 2024 semester. Interested learners are encouraged to contact The Chang School of Continuing Education at spanningthegaps@torontomu.ca.
Additional photos available upon request.
From left to right: Chris Boucher, Helen Harry, Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano (Provost and VP Academic, TMU) and Mohamed Lachemi (President and Vice-Chancellor, TMU).
The SlimmDuck Scholarship aligns closely with the spirit of TMU’s Made of Grit campaign that focuses on setting students up for success.
Chris Boucher meets Gary Hepburn, Dean of The Chang School of Continuing Education that offers the Spanning the Gaps – Access to Post-Secondary Education program.
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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 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 1,000 course offerings and over 70 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:
Surbhi Bir
PR & Communications Specialist
Central Communications, Toronto Metropolitan University
647-834-6479
surbhi.bir@torontomu.ca