$1.1M gift to BU doubles Chernoff Family Award

Brandon University has received a nearly $1.1-million gift from Michael Chernoff, a longtime supporter, to expand one of the institution’s most prestigious entrance awards.

Chernoff, who lives in West Vancouver but has deep Prairie roots, made the gift of securities to the Chernoff Family Award to create new opportunities for top incoming students across campus, the university said in a news release Monday.

Established in 2001, the award is in honour of Chernoff’s late wife, Dorine Marjorie (née Dennison), and her parents, Agnes and Roland Dennison, who encouraged and supported her pursuit of higher education at Brandon. Dorine, a Brandon College graduate from the Class of 1951, passed away in 2023 at the age of 92.

“Dorine and I were first-generation university graduates in our families, and we realized how fortunate we were to be able to rely on the encouragement and support of our parents,” Chernoff said.

“When we were able, we committed to helping students throughout Canada pursue their education, and it has been deeply rewarding to hear from those we have been able to support.”

The award started with a gift of more than $500,000, which was matched at the time by the province and the Brandon University Foundation.

For more than two decades, the fund has supported the top two entering students each year, providing $7,500 annually to each, renewable for up to four years. To date, the fund has awarded more than $1.1 million to BU students.

With this latest contribution, the institution will be able to double the annual impact of the award, the university said.

Starting next year, the award will be granted to the top entering student in each of BU’s four faculties (arts, education, health studies and science) and the School of Music.

Each recipient will receive about $6,000 per year, renewable for up to four years — meaning as many as 20 students each year will benefit, and each recipient could be awarded up to $24,000 over their degree.

Chernoff’s generosity will touch generations of students at BU, president Christine Bovis-Cnossen said.

“His commitment to honouring Dorine — and the family who supported her education — reflects the very best of what higher education can inspire,” Bovis-Cnossen said. “We are deeply grateful for this gift, which strengthens our mission, expands opportunity, and will enhance student success for decades to come.”

The expanded award will be a powerful new tool for attracting exceptional students from across the country, said registrar Andrea McDaniel, whose office oversees scholarships and bursaries like the Chernoff Family Award.

“Major early entrance awards like the Chernoff Family Award play a crucial role in helping outstanding students choose Brandon University, especially when they are weighing multiple offers,” she said. “The renewable structure is especially meaningful — it gives students stability, encouragement and a strong foundation for success throughout their degree.”

Chernoff said his support for BU is a tribute not only to his wife’s formative years at Brandon College, but also to the values shared by their family over more than 60 years of marriage.

“This is a gift that will keep on giving,” he said. “I’ve been particularly touched by the number of students who, after receiving our support, have vowed to engage in similar philanthropy when they are able to pay it forward themselves.”

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