UNews - Erika Scott

Legacy gift from Bernadine and Toby Boulet to support Paving Roads to Success campaign

trevor.kenney — Thu, 28 May 2026 17:40:07 +0000

An important fundraising campaign has received a key contribution that will benefit student teachers at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge for years to come.

ULethbridge Faculty of Education alumni Dr. Toby (BEd ’89, MEd ’04, LLD ‘25) and Dr. Bernadine (Bernie)(BEd ’88, LLD ’25) Boulet have committed a life insurance gift that will one day support Paving Roads to Success, a campaign launched in 2024 to help third-year student teachers pursuing rural practicum placements.

Bernadine and Toby Boulet are leaving a lasting legacy with their planned gift.

The legacy gift allows the Boulets to make a transformational impact in the future in a manageable way and is rooted in the values that shaped their teaching careers.

“As graduates of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, the opportunity to be there for future students is important to us,” says Toby. “The life insurance gift was easy to do. We pay monthly, receive a tax benefit now and it allows us to leave money to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in the future.”

Bernie sees the pledge as a way to pay forward the support they received when establishing their careers.

“I think it’s really important to be able to give back to where we came from,” she says. “Someone believed in us when we came through and it made a difference to us, so it’s crucial that we continue to support the students here now, because they’re future educators.”

Student teachers in rural placements face greater financial pressures due to additional travel and living expenses. The Paving Roads to Success campaign aims to ease that burden and support student teachers as they bring quality education to underserved communities across Alberta. Toby says the campaign is designed to allow students to focus less on financial stress and more on preparing for their careers.

“When you’re in university, you’re supposed to be enjoying yourself, learning, working, preparing for the future. There will be plenty of financial responsibilities later in life. If we can help some young people worry less about bills, that’s what we want to do.”

The Boulets entered the national spotlight in 2018 when their son, Logan, was among those killed in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash. Logan had previously expressed a desire to be an organ donor, and the decision ultimately saved six lives and inspired nearly 150,000 donor registrations across Canada within weeks of the tragedy.

While not every selfless act will have the widespread impact of the Logan Boulet Effect, Bernie says it reinforced the importance of generosity and the far-reaching effect even one decision can have.

“As an organ donor, you make a huge impact. You don’t only impact the person who receives the organ, you also impact their family, their friends and their community,” she says. “By giving back to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, we’re doing something similar. It’s not the same, of course, but it’s similar in the sense that you’re helping shape someone’s future, and that makes a difference for all the people they impact in their careers.”

Planned giving is a creative and flexible way for supporters to make a contribution that accounts for their unique needs, interests and financial situation.

“We’re very thankful to Bernie and Toby for this thoughtful and intentional gift that’s a perfect way to wrap up legacy month,” says Erika Scott, ULethbridge’s Director, Philanthropy and Information Services. “With a planned gift such as this, we were able to provide a way in which they could contribute to an area of need that is deeply personal to them that will leave an impactful and enduring legacy.”

With the Board of Governors matching campaign ending soon — every dollar contributed up to $50,000 will be doubled — the Boulets say there’s no better time to maximize impact.

“It’s important that we take advantage of this opportunity right now, because even a small gift can make a difference,” Bernie says. “It can be a one-time gift, monthly gift, a life insurance policy — whatever makes sense for you. Just know that whatever you give will have an impact.”

Student scholarship drive championed by ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge alumni and community leaders

trevor.kenney — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 16:49:23 +0000

When the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Board of Governors pledged $10 million in match funds for the establishment of new endowed student scholarships, it laid the groundwork for the most ambitious student scholarship drive in the 50-plus year history of ULethbridge.

ULethbridge alumni and community leaders Janice Varzari, Roland Labuhn, Terry Whitehead and Bernadine Boulet are lead ambassadors for the student scholarship drive initiative.

Now, alumni and community leaders Janice Varzari (BN ’90, MEd ’02, LLD ’21), Terry Whitehead (BA ’94), Bernadine Boulet (BEd ’88) and Roland Labuhn (BMgt ’90) are leading the way through the next phase of the initiative, with ULethbridge students, current and future generations, destined to benefit.

“We are so excited to have the support of these outstanding alumni and community leaders to help us champion this new initiative and build a plan to move it forward. They are fantastic ambassadors for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, and we are so grateful for their advocacy and support,” says Kathy Greenwood, ULethbridge vice-president (external relations). “As graduates, these alumni know the difference a ULethbridge education can make, and they are committed to ensuring more students have the same opportunities they had. This will significantly increase the sustainability of our current awards program and lay a strong foundation to build upon moving forward.”

At the heart of the drive is the $10 million in match funds, providing an opportunity to double the impact donations of all sizes make to endowed scholarships — significantly enhancing the endowment base and its sustainability for generations to come.

“What excites me about being a part of this initiative is recognizing that the need for student financial support is greater than ever. It’s so challenging right now for post-secondary students to go to school, and I think students today have a lot more barriers than when I was a student,” says Whitehead. “This is an extraordinary opportunity to have donations matched, and the impact of your gift being doubled will really go a long way. If an alumnus or a member of our community has never donated before, this is a wonderful time to make that first donation as it will be leveraged significantly.”

One of the hallmarks of the scholarship drive is its focus on removing social and financial barriers and creating pathways for Indigenous and racialized communities, people with disabilities and 2SLGBTQ+ students to access post-secondary education.

“I want to see this improve accessibility so that more students can get assistance with their education,” says former chancellor Varzari. “By making a donation, by writing that cheque, you’re going to assist lots of students moving into the future who may not be able to attend university otherwise. People who make a donation, even a small donation, they can see that gift grow and make a difference with the match funds.”

Boulet graduated from the education program in 1988 and is still deeply connected to ULethbridge, personally and professionally. As an educator, she is quick to mentor student teachers in her classrooms and sees how support from the Lethbridge community creates lasting connections with students.

“I really hope that through this we can build those connections, and that students see we value them,” says Boulet. “You can make a difference in a student’s life by them receiving a scholarship, even if it’s not a big scholarship, and that student will go on to have a positive impact in our community and our province in the future. By giving, you can inspire others to give too.”

Labuhn has long championed the benefits of post-secondary education and how it enhances career outcomes for students, thereby collectively bettering southern Alberta and the communities ULethbridge graduates call home. He sees donations to establish student scholarships reaping immediate dividends.

“What I really like about this is how the money goes directly to students, and it’s going to be something where you can really see the results,” he says. “A scholarship and an advanced education can have a huge influence in life. These scholarships will help people who may be in a difficult situation get access to post-secondary education, or maybe they will be used to accelerate the path current students are on — it’s all about helping students get to where they want to be.”

To contribute to or create a new student scholarship, contact Director of Development, Erika Scott (BA ’08), erika.scott@uleth.ca or by calling 403-332-4030. Visit the campaign web page.

UNews - Erika Scott

Legacy gift from Bernadine and Toby Boulet to support Paving Roads to Success campaign

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