National Philanthropy Day lauds NAIT donors

Published on November 19, 2024

NAIT is grateful for our dedicated donors who are committed to supporting students and advancing polytechnic education. The longstanding contributions of The Princess Auto Foundation, Walter and Pauline Kiriak, and Larry (and Clarence) Christensen were recently recognized at Edmonton’s National Philanthropy Day event on November 15, 2024.

The Princess Auto Foundation 

The Princess Auto Foundation works to enhance education and provide opportunities to future tradespeople. NAIT is grateful they have been a partner since 2007, over which time they have donated over three quarters of a million dollars including establishing an endowment fund to ensure the Princess Auto Foundation Bursary would be awarded in perpetuity. 

Each year students from 15 trades-related programs at NAIT benefit from this long-lasting and extensive support and to date 292 student awards have been granted thanks to the Princess Auto Foundation’s generosity. 

Walter and Pauline Kiriak 

Walter (Wally) and Pauline Kiriak have been NAIT supporters since 2016 when they established an endowment that funds the Walter Kiriak Bursary for NAIT’s Geomatics Engineering Technology students, and a legacy through a bequest.

Wally was the recipient of a scholarship early on in his education and never forgot the power it had on his life. With an education, he believes, individuals have access to better job opportunities and quality of life. The bursary is also a way to honour Wally’s career as a surveyor and Edmonton business owner. 

Larry Christensen (and Clarence Christensen)

The Clarence M. Christensen Occupational Health & Safety Bursary was established at NAIT in 2014 and stands as a memorial to Clarence and his lifelong and notable career in Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) in the oil and gas industry.  

Each year an outstanding student is selected upon their entrance to the OHS program and receives continuing financial support through two years of their studies. “The bursary provided me with relief and helped ease my financial burden during my school years,” says a recent award recipient. “I cannot express the extent of my gratitude to the Christensens. The financial support and emotional significance of the award is unquantifiable.”  

Clarence’s son, Larry, also dedicates time every year to come to campus to speak to students in the Occupation Health Safety Program.