UNews - Glenn Varzari

Varzari family establishes new bursary to help students in need

caroline.zentner — Thu, 11 May 2023 17:10:35 +0000

Not only are post-secondary students facing increased costs for their education, they’re also facing higher costs for food and housing. Chancellor Emerita Dr. Janice Varzari (BN ’90, MEd ’02, LLD ’21) and her husband Glenn understand those challenges and have donated $50,000 to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge to create the Varzari Family Bursary Fund. The fund will support students in need with a variety of flexible bursaries.

“We know students face increased stress when they experience the financial challenges that come with today’s economy and inflation,” says Janice. “Our goal with this donation is to help alleviate some of that financial pressure so students can focus on their studies.”

As an honorary campaign chair of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s current Campaign for Students, Janice continues to be a steadfast supporter of students. During her time as chancellor from 2015 to 2019, Janice was a skillful ambassador for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. She saw ULethbridge through its 50th anniversary celebrations as it ushered in a new era of growth and maturity and she took a personal approach to enhancing the ULethbridge experience for all students. In 2021, she and Glenn backed the launch of the Student Wellness Ambassador Program to provide students with peer support. The Varzaris pledged to match money raised for the program up to $20,000.

“Bursaries like this greatly enhance the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s ability to support students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to pursue post-secondary education,” says Kathy Greenwood, vice-president external relations. “I want to thank the Varzari family for their gift, which will ensure a positive, well-rounded experience for more ULethbridge students. Their support sends a powerful message to students who are facing financial hardships.”

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Board of Governors will match the donation to establish the Varzari Family Bursary Fund as part of its $10-million pledge in matching funds to establish new endowed student awards. In addition to significantly increasing the sustainability of its student awards program, the current scholarship drive aims to build a base of support to remove barriers, increase accessibility and unlock opportunities for future generations of students.

Visit the Campaign for Students for more information.

Former chancellor Janice Varzari to be recognized with honorary degree

trevor.kenney — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 16:34:14 +0000

A champion for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge on a number of levels, Janice Varzari (BN ’90, MEd ’02) will be recognized with an honorary degree as part of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s 2021 Spring Convocation celebrations.

Janice Varzari has been a steadfast champion of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge for greater than 30 years.

Connected to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge for greater than 30 years, Varzari has been a steadfast ambassador for the U of L throughout her many roles, from student to alumnus, senator, board member and chancellor.

“I don’t believe you could find many people more committed to advancing the goals of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and supporting our students than Janice Varzari,” says Charles Weaselhead, U of L Chancellor. “When I followed Janice as chancellor, I understood how difficult it would be to fill the role and also benefitted greatly from the wonderful work she had done. We’re very pleased to present her with an honorary degree for her longstanding commitment to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and its students.”

Varzari will be conferred the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, at the Chancellor’s Reception on Thursday, June 10, 2021.

Janice Varzari

Janice Varzari’s connection to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ began with her time as a student, first in the Bachelor of Nursing program, from which she graduated in 1990 with Great Distinction while earning the Gold Medal in Nursing. She returned to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to complete a Master of Education with Specialization in Counselling Psychology in 2002. In 2008, Varzari was inducted into the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Alumni Honour Society.

Amazingly, this was just the start for Varzari as she continued to not only stay connected with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, but sought ways in which she could further contribute to the institution. She began to take on a number of volunteer roles, beginning with terms on both the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Senate and Board of Directors. In 2015, Varzari was appointed by the Senate as the 13th chancellor, the first alumnus to ever assume the post.

As chancellor, Varzari was able to utilize all her skills as an ambassador for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and was involved in a number of prominent initiatives which further enhanced the profile of the institution. She saw the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ through its 50th anniversary celebrations, ushering in a new era of growth and maturity for the U of L, and was dedicated to taking a personal approach in enhancing the experience for all students.

The vice-president and co-owner (with her husband Glenn) of National Salvage Ltd. and National Holdings Ltd., they have continued to show steadfast support for U of L students in particular. In 2021, the couple backed the launch of the Student Wellness Ambassador Program, ensuring a legacy of student support would continue.

Peer connections the focus of new Student Wellness Ambassador Program supported by former chancellor

trevor.kenney — Tue, 13 Apr 2021 16:13:10 +0000

Janice Varzari headlines program fundraising with matching donation

A new program designed to enhance student wellness at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is receiving a boost of support from its former chancellor, Janice Varzari (BN ’90, MEd ’02).

Former U of L Chancellor Janice Varzari, left, and her husband Glenn will match all donations to the establishment of the new SWAP program, up to $20,000.

The Student Wellness Ambassador Program (SWAP) is a student-led wellness initiative aimed at developing peer connections and promoting wellness. The program has already been active in raising funds from alumni and donors to support it through its first four years, and Varzari and her husband Glenn pledge to match the money raised, up to $20,000.

“In talking with Janice, she was looking to support something related to student wellness that was more than a one-time gift and would have a lasting impact,” says Jennifer Ellis-Toddington (BSc ’99, MEd’05), manager of Counselling and Career Services at the U of L. “I’ve felt we’ve always needed a peer support program. We have many ways for our students to connect with counselling services at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ but not every student needs or wants a professional counsellor.”

The SWAP initiative will focus on two main areas, regular student-led (and developed) wellness initiatives that allow peer-to-peer connections on and off campus, and peer support services.

“As a proud alumna and long-time volunteer and supporter of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, I care deeply about our students and their experiences while studying at the U of L,” says Varzari. “As at most post-secondary institutions, our students are experiencing significant stresses that affect their mental wellness, and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is seeing increasing demands upon its mental health services.

“My husband Glenn and I are thrilled to offer our financial support to this initiative. We are encouraging other alumni and supporters to consider making a gift to this much-needed program.”

Ellis-Toddington says students are seeking ways to connect with each other, noting a 45 per cent participation increase in group events offered by Counseling Services.

“Our virtual book clubs fill up almost immediately and it’s been that way since the start of the pandemic, so something like this is needed now more than ever,” she says.

A Student Wellness Ambassador Committee will be responsible for planning weekly outreach events that provide students opportunities to engage in wellness activities as well as learn about mental health resources on campus. Peer listeners will be trained by counseling services staff and provide peer support through active listening and referrals to other services, if needed.

“This will really fill a gap for our students,” says Ellis-Toddington. “I see it as a prevention strategy in that students who may not be willing to come forward to talk with counsellors, maybe they will reach out if it’s a peer they can connect with. Our listeners will be trained to talk with them and if they need further support, they can get the help they need.”

Students who participate as wellness ambassadors will earn valuable training and also receive credit on their My Experience Transcript (MET).

Those looking to support the Student Wellness Ambassador Program can do so on the SWAP web page.

Investing in the future

trevor.kenney — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 21:51:08 +0000

More than 50 years ago, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge changed the landscape of southern Alberta – both physically and culturally. As the new Science and Academic Building takes shape on the north end of campus, it’s about to happen again.

Janice and her husband Glenn have stepped forward with a significant gift towards the Science and Academic Building.

“This facility will lead to new scientific discoveries for the benefit of humanity,” explains Dr. Matthew Letts, associate dean, Faculty of Arts & Science, highlighting the impact the building will have not only on our campus but on the broader community and even globally. “It will allow us to augment research productivity, improve our research funding success, forge new partnerships with industry, develop the regional economy, serve as a science centre for southern Alberta and inspire proud U of L students to embark on scientific careers.”

The building — and its positive impact — is more than the sum of its parts.

“We feel it’s important to make a donation to this phase of the Destination Project because we want to contribute as best as we can to the generations who follow us,” says Janice Varzari (BN ’90, MEd ’02), the U of L’s 13th chancellor, a long-time Senate and Board of Governors member and a proud alumna. Janice and her husband Glenn have stepped forward with a significant gift towards the project.

When the new building opens in fall 2019, it will be one of the most advanced facilities for science and research in Canada. A home for innovation and discovery, the open and flexible laboratory environments will encourage and foster research between the sciences, and with an abundance of transparent walls, science will truly be on display for the public to see.

Sustainably designed with the local climate in mind, students, faculty and community will come together under one roof to create, inquire and discover like never before.

“Education is our future,” Janice explains. “We are investing in the U of L because it is an institution that invests in others.”

Glenn echoes Janice’s statements emphasizing their family’s commitment to tomorrow.

“It’s more than supporting a building. It’s an investment in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, its students and our community,” he says. “It’s creating a legacy that goes beyond our own region, province and even lifetime.”

Truly a U of L family, the Varzaris have a longstanding connection to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and began their support as a show of gratitude. They are now leading by example and have seen the charge taken up by the next generation.

“We’re grateful to see that philanthropic spirit emerging in our grandkids now,” says Glenn. “We hope to see it grow in our own family, but also the community at large.”

As Janice gets ready to wrap up her term as chancellor next spring, she is looking forward to watching the impact of her work and her family’s contributions to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ continue to take root.

“It makes you feel like as small as we are, our tiny little efforts will reach across the world in some way through the thousands of graduates doing their work,” she says.

Donors stay true with support

trevor.kenney — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 20:59:33 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's 2008 fundraising results show that a healthy $7 million was raised to support more than 200 separate areas on campus – from scholarships and bursaries to research projects and equipment purchases that will make a significant difference to students and researchers.

"Despite challenging economic times that have had an impact globally, the U of L has had one of the best years ever, thanks to our generous contributors," said President Bill Cade. "Our dedicated donors made this year such a success, and we are truly grateful."

"There is no doubt that as times get tough we need individuals and private businesses to show leadership and confidence through continued investment in our community," Cade added.

"The support provided to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is a great example of this leadership. We are building something very special here at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge – something our community can be proud of. I think the support we received this past year shows they are already proud."

In 2008, more than 3,200 gifts were received from alumni, friends, students, and current and retired employees, with 69 per cent of those gifts destined to help students directly through student awards.

Donor generosity also enabled the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to obtain more than $3 million in matching funds from the Government of Alberta through the Access to the Future Fund.

Since 2005, more than $9 million has been directed toward the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge for scholarships, bursaries and support to the institution as a result of the province's matching program.

Generous ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge supporters featured in the 2008 Donor Report include:

- Glenn Varzari, a local Chartered Accountant, and his spouse Janice Varzari, a U of L Senator, member of the Alumni Honour Society and a counselor with Lethbridge Family Services, who supported the new Markin Hall building project for the Faculty of Management and School of Health Sciences. Their gift was matched by both the Chartered Accountants Education Foundation and the Access to the Future Fund.

- Calgary-based oil and gas entrepreneurs Darol and Evelyn Wigham, who have supported the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ for many years with scholarships, bursaries and books for the Faculty of Education library. Their most recent gift helped researchers at the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience acquire specific equipment for a new Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) facility.

- Internationally renowned Canadian operatic tenor -- and U of L Honorary degree recipient -- Dr. Ben Heppner, whose benefit concert in Lethbridge established an endowment for U of L music students. More than $50,000 was raised for an award that will encourage students to pursue the performing arts.

- Charlene Janes, a staff member in the U of L International Centre for Students, who has established a bursary for international students. Charlene is one of more than 280 U of L faculty, staff and retirees, who have contributed towards Supporting Our Students 2008, an annual campaign to raise money for student awards.

- Nexen Inc. and Imperial Oil, which gave to support water research initiatives. When matched through the Access to the Future Fund, their support resulted in a combined $1 million investment in water research at the U of L.

UNews - Glenn Varzari

Varzari family establishes new bursary to help students in need

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