New endowed scholarship honours alumna

caroline.zentner — Tue, 21 Mar 2023 16:10:30 +0000

Family members of the late Claire Goodman (BA ’03) are honouring their sister and daughter through the establishment of a new endowed scholarship in her name.

Goodman, aged 41, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly in May 2022 in Chicago, where she lived and worked as a financial advisor. As a director at PFM Financial Advisors LLC, Goodman worked with leading borrowers in the Midwest. Her colleagues and those who knew her called her a smart and skilled professional who cared deeply about her clients and acted as a mentor to younger professionals.

“We are proud to be entrusted with honouring Ms. Goodman’s memory,” says Kathy Greenwood, vice-president external relations. “This scholarship will reward exceptional academic achievement for undergraduates studying economics or finance and ensure Claire Goodman’s legacy benefits students far into the future.”

Born in Lethbridge, Goodman graduated from Lethbridge Collegiate Institute and studied economics at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. Following the completion of her bachelor’s, she earned a master’s in economics at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Georgia. She worked in strategic planning for non-profit organizations while conducting research and teaching at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Georgia. She became a published author in game theory, risk management and market competition.

Goodman moved to Chicago to pursue a career in finance. She joined Scott Balice Strategies and later Public Financial Management. She established her career in public finance and, by all accounts, was a multi-talented individual who used her considerable analytical skills and ability to dive deep into complex areas of finance to best serve her clients. In return, they recognized her unique skills and sang her praises.

Away from work, Goodman loved to travel and would plan yearly trips to exotic locations. She collected cookbooks as she travelled and would often use them to cook for her loved ones and friends. Goodman was an animal lover as well and she doted on her pit bull rescue named Hot Sauce. She also had a particular penchant for ballet flats, daring to wear them even in winter.

In honour of Goodman, Women in Public Finance — a national organization devoted to advancing women’s leadership opportunities — renamed their Rising Star Award to the Claire Goodman Rising Star Award.

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

Lions Club donation aiming to break down barriers for visually impaired students

caroline.zentner — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 20:59:11 +0000

Lions Club groups around the world have been focused on helping people with disabilities for decades. Now, thanks to a $50,000 gift to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, the Picture Butte chapter will be making a difference for students with visual impairments.

Left to right are Kathy Greenwood, Doug Jackson, John Koenen, Don Vincent and Martha Mathurin-Moe

“The original mandate of the Lions group is to help the visually impaired,” says Doug Jackson, Picture Butte Lions Club board member. That mandate goes back to the early 1980s, when the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides began providing trained guide dogs to Canadians with disabilities.

Jackson says the donation is also about honouring the legacy of long-time member Ron LeClaire, who passed away in 2011. “He left $250,000 to our group and it was designated for a blind organization, but that organization no longer exists. To honour his wishes, we really wanted to use the funds to help the visually impaired.”

The Lions Club is hoping the donation will provide a new opportunity for students who dream of pursuing an education, but might have more barriers to knock down than others.

“��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge students are here because they want to get ahead in their lives,” Jackson says. “The scholarship is to help give them a step up; people who want to get ahead but might be held back because of disabilities.”

Each year, the Picture Butte Lions Club Award for Visually Impaired Students will go to a continuing or entering undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in any degree program with a documented disability. The award will be given based on academic achievement, with preference given for financial need.

The award is an important step toward making ULethbridge an even more inclusive place.

“This award is significant for our ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. We want to ensure that all our students no matter their background get access and opportunity to inclusive, affordable and quality education,” says Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Executive Director Martha Mathurin-Moe.

“This is only the beginning, and we look forward to working with our community to continue to remove barriers to education,” says Mathurin-Moe.

The donation is the first to be matched by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, following an announcement in October that the Board of Governors is pledging $10 million in match funds for the establishment of new endowed student scholarships.

“The difference a donation like this can make is truly significant,” says ULethbridge Vice-President, External Relations Kathy Greenwood. “The ultimate goal of the matching initiative is to provide permanent and sustainable support for students by rewarding creative, athletic and academic excellence, removing barriers to education and reducing student financial insecurity.”

Greenwood says the gift will allow more students the opportunity to pursue their passions at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

“We thank the Picture Butte Lions Club for this generous donation, and we hope it will inspire more philanthropic support from the community in support of student awards and scholarships. Endowed funding like this will lay the foundation for future generations of students by ensuring a university education remains financially accessible.”

The first award will be given out in the 2023/2024 academic year.

For more information on how you can support student scholarships visit /giving.

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New endowed scholarship honours alumna

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Lions Club donation aiming to break down barriers for visually impaired students

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