Million-dollar milestone reached
After learning that their collective success had finally raised $1 million for student scholarships and bursaries, Concordia staff, faculty members and students celebrated under the Homecoming tent on the Loyola Campus on September 16.
Hundreds of Concordians registered for the 22nd annual Shuffle, intent on securing more than $46,000 in pledges. Their efforts pushed the cumulative total raised since the walk-a-thon fundraiser began in 1990 past the $1-million mark.
This year’s total of $48,000 and counting exceeded last year’s pledges. This was in part due to matching pledges sponsored by Concordia’s deans, senior administrators, collective bargaining units and others.
President Frederick Lowy announced the success of their mission while Shufflers were enjoying the President’s Picnic after completing the 6.5-kilometre walk from the Sir George Williams Campus downtown to the Loyola Campus.
Shuffle Advisory Committee chair Jang Kwon named Irvin Dudeck, Director of Budget Planning and Control, the Shuffler of the Year for his 19 years of dedicated participation. Kwon, Senior Supervisor, Administrative Systems in Instructional and Information Technology Services (IITS), has not missed a year since 1993.
Registered Shufflers were eligible for prizes. Among the grand prize winners were Saverio Lucifero, who won an iPad 2; John Bentley, who won two Cirque du Soleil tickets and a $100 gift certificate to Bâton Rouge Restaurant; and Natalie Donfrancesco, who got a weekend getaway package at Topnotch Resort and Spa.
Stephen Lim was the recipient of a newly inaugurated prize: He won the honour of naming a special bursary that will provide a Concordia student with $500 annually for three years.
Watch a video to see Shufflers taking advantage of the glorious weather for a good cause:
Related links:
• Concordia Shuffle
• Shuffle prize winners