For over 35 years the Alumni Association of Lakehead University has been bestowing the Alumni Entrance Award to family members of Lakehead graduates.
Thanks to your generosity, this $10,000 scholarship has become one of the University's largest donor-funded awards. This year's recipient, Dawson Giertuga, began the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) Collaborative Program in September 2021. He is a hardworking and active community member who's volunteered with many local organizations including Special Olympics Thunder Bay, Roots to Harvest, and Camp Quality.
The Alumni Association wishes to thank all of this year's outstanding applicants.
Eager to Give Back
AALU Vice-President Yolanda Wanakamik presents the Alumni Entrance Award to Dawson.
"My name is Dawson Giertuga and I especially wanted to attend Lakehead's collaborative nursing program because Thunder Bay is my hometown and I'd like to continue supporting my northern community. My hope is to secure a position with the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre when I graduate."
Embracing a Family Tradition
"My brothers Dalton and Devin are both students in the BScN Collaborative Program and my mother Jo-Anne Giertuga (née McCooeye) also graduated from Lakehead. She completed a BA/BEd in 1992 and she's currently a principal with Lakehead Public Schools," Dawson says. "She inspired us to pursue our postsecondary studies at Lakehead because she felt that the education she received was exceptional and prepared her well for becoming a teacher."
"I'm committed to building caring, trusting relationships and I'm confident that Lakehead will allow me to pursue my dream of working in the medical field."
"Thank you to the Alumni Association for believing in me!"