Pride Fund helps raise flag on 2SLGBTQ+ student support

By Lethbridge Herald on June 19, 2023.

Alumni and donors, Kurt Schlachter and Jason VanderHoek, along with ULSU president Maleeka Thomas, and members of the university community, raise the Progressive Pride Flag Monday at the University of Lethbridge. Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – apulido@lethbridgeherald.com

The University of Lethbridge raised its Progress Pride Flag Monday during a ceremony that also revealed even additional support for 2SLGBTQ+ students. 

U of L Alumni Kurt Schlachter announced during the ceremony that him and his partner Jason VandenHoek have established the VandenHoek Schlachter Pride Fund, a $200,000 endowment to support a suite of awards aimed at reducing barriers for 2SLGBTQ+ students.

The VandenHoek Schlachter Pride Fund is a first of its kind for the University of Lethbridge. 

Schlachter said when the Board of Governors made additional funds available to match donor funds in the establishing additional student awards for scholarships, that resonated with them. 

“We also recognize there is a gap with this segment of the student population and we wanted to narrow that gap,” said Schlachter. 

He said they wanted to ensure that students who do not come from backgrounds similar to theirs – they grew up in rural Alberta with supportive families – had an opportunity to pursue an education at the U of L. 

“And we realize that students from the 2SLGBTQ+ community tend to face increased barriers in a number of different ways, so these awards are designed to help reduce some of those barriers.”.

The awards will celebrate academic achievement, remove financial barriers to education and recognize exceptional contributions to advancing equity and inclusion for the 2SLGBTQ+ community, both on campus and beyond. 

Schlachter said there are three distinct categories for the award. 

“The first is designed for entrance; so high school students hoping to attend the University of Lethbridge, and it will be based on a number of criteria including how they identify, as well as financial need, and there will be consideration given to those students who come from rural or agricultural backgrounds which both Jason and I do.” 

He said the second is for academic excellence, for continuing students at the university, and the third is for leadership and allyship for those demonstrating support of 2SLGBTQ+ community while being a student.

“Jason and I have thrown out a bit of a challenge to our fellow U of L alumni to support this campaign, and that can consist of a number of different ways, from donating to some of the funds, including this one that have already been established, to exploring the creation of their own fund to support students in a way that aligns with their own personal values. So we’re really encouraging everyone to do that, to take advantage of the matching funds and double the impact of their gift.” 

President of the Students Union, Maleeka Thomas, said scholarships are vital to the students at the university since many of them face financial barriers. 

“Having support for them is very important, and it is especially exciting that now we have that representation for students,” said Thomas. “I believe those scholarships definitely present a unique opportunity for students to achieve academic success.”

She said she believes wholeheartedly that it is vital for our community to move forward. 

Martha Mathurin-Moe, vice-provost equity, diversity and inclusion, said that while the scholarship is a big first for the university, it is setting the trend for what other universities should be doing for their 2SLGBTQ+ community. 

“I think as a campus, we as the university have responsibility to set the standard and say ‘we see you,’” Mathurin-Moe said. “We’re going to do something about it, as well. I think this is a call out, not only to our campus community but to the broader community that representation matters, and we want to make sure that our students, staff, no matter where they come from, come to our university and feel safe here on campus.”

The first award from the VandenHoek Schlachter Pride Fund will be presented in June 2024. 

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