Jenna, Achieving Potential Scholarship recipient
Monash University has concluded its inaugural philanthropic campaign, Change It. For Future Generations. and recognised the generosity of its donor community, whose support has enabled outstanding and transformative research, and helped empower students to succeed and thrive.
"Through the generosity of our extraordinary donor community we have been able to support thousands of students to achieve their educational goals and access an outstanding Monash education as well as enabling transformational research that is changing lives and shaping a better future," said Monash Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Sharon Pickering.
"Every gift, large or small, makes a meaningful difference in the lives of our students and the broader community.
One student to benefit from the generosity of Monash's donor community is Jenna, a first-year Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery student. Originally from Wiradjuri Nation, Jenna moved away with her mother when she was just three years old, escaping domestic violence. Seeing her mum experience life as a single mother of four children inspired Jenna to pursue a career in maternal health care.
"No one in my family had ever attended university before. In fact, I'm the first to finish high school.
"Providing healthcare to those living in our most rural and remote communities - especially Indigenous communities - is my ultimate dream."
Jenna received a Monash Achieving Potential Scholarship, which has supported her to move from home and study at Monash, providing vital funds for her tuition, accommodation and living expenses, as well as study materials and equipment.
"I am so grateful for the support I've received. My scholarship has also allowed me to be able to travel home and visit my Country and family, and I'm proud to be a role model for my siblings and the wider community. They can see it's possible to change their circumstances and future," Jenna said.
Professor Pickering said the Monash donor community shares the University's vision for growing participation and removing barriers to education for students like Jenna.
"Together, we have created one of Australia's most diverse and generous scholarship programs, resulting in 1400 students receiving a donor-funded Monash scholarship, including 518 students who are the first in their family to attend university and 110 Indigenous students."
"Our generous donors have provided more than 46,000 individual gifts towards student scholarships, support programs, and immersive educational opportunities beyond the classroom," Professor Pickering said.
Since 2013, the campaign has raised more than $1.04 billion in philanthropic funding across 58,390 individual gifts and a further 300 donors pledged to leave a gift in their Will to support the next generation of Monash students and researchers.
"Philanthropy allows us to be brave and support work that leads to game-changing outcomes and world firsts," Professor Pickering said.
"From pioneering life-changing research and treatments for trauma and addiction, made possible by David Winston Turner's record-breaking gift to mental health research, to ensuring the most vulnerable in our community have access to free legal advice and representation thanks to the Pratt Foundation and Cybec Foundation's support of the Monash Community Legal Clinics - philanthropy has a critical role to play in our collective endeavours to shape a better future for all."
To see more examples of how philanthropy at Monash has made an impact and empowered future generations, visit the website.
