More than a decade ago – in 2005 – BCIT instructor Glenna Urbshadt established an endowment for her students. Recently, her students rallied to raise money for the fund in her name.
Thanks to the outstanding fundraising efforts of students, $10,000 will be added to the permanent endowment which funds an annual graduating award to a marketing student (Professional Sales option) through the interest earned each year.
Urbshadt’s teaching career at BCIT has spanned more than three decades. Utilizing her extensive industry experience gained prior to joining BCIT and through a return to industry in the late 1990’s, she has taught and mentored generations of BCIT students. Her most recent role, as Program Head for Marketing Management, has garnered her more than a few fans amongst students, alumni and industry.
“In my first year, I had Glenna as a lab instructor,” says Samantha Lee. “She was amazing and proved to be highly respected by all the students very quickly. During my second semester, I struggled to keep up at BCIT due to some intense family difficulties and Glenna helped me get through the school year. She was very supportive and understanding.”
When Lee needed help in her second year, she again turned to Urbshadt. Though no longer her teacher – and on a leave of absence – Urbshadt coached Lee through the tricky assignment.
Lee was so moved by the extra support, she approached fellow student, Julianne Ratchford on the community relations committee of the BCIT Marketing Association with an idea to thank Glenna.
“I expressed the idea of hosting a non-for-profit event for Glenna to give back a ‘thank you’ for all the work she had done for current students and graduates of the BCIT professional sales program,” says Lee.
Without hesitation, Julianne agreed and the planning began.
A sold out event, ‘Golfing with Glenna’ was held at One Under Golf Vancouver on February 25, 2016. Major sponsors included Leavitt Machinery, Payworks, Sophos, and IT-IQ – all companies that have worked closely with Glenna, and have hired many BCIT professional sales graduates.
The event featured 6 golf simulators, full-service catering, a silent auction, and 50/50 prizes. Speeches in honour of Urbshadt were offered by Harj Dhaliwal, the BCIT School of Business Associate Dean; Bruce Anthony, the BCIT Professional Sales Program Head; and a past Professional Sales graduate-turned-Leavitt-employee.
“The great thing about BCIT is that the community is very strong,” says Lee. “I have to say that this whole experience definitely felt very BCIT to me.”
The night raised an impressive $10,000 to help build the endowment and help more students in the future.