Awards and Funding

The Gary Campbell May Day Memorial Award was established in 2012 by the Burnaby Civic Employees’ Union - CUPE 23  for a generous 10 year commitment. The award is intended to recognize and provide financial assistance to an undergraduate student pursuing studies in the Labour Studies Program. Preference will be given to graduates of the Burnaby School District.

Application closed

Gary Campbell

Gary Campbell began working in Burnaby as a labourer in 1974. Throughout his career, Gary was a union activist and a member of the CUPE Local 23 Executive. He became a T.D. 1 in 1992 and retired in 2006. Gary’s activism continued throughout his retirement; he was a particularly passionate activist against the North American Free Trade Agreement, the Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement and the World Trade Organization. Whenever a Wal-Mart or Target opens rather than a Canadian owned establishment, we are encouraged to think of Gary Campbell’s warnings.

Gary passed away on April 9^th, 2010 after losing a battle with cancer. He was a retired civic worker at the City of Burnaby and a lifetime member of CUPE Local 23. He was a tireless activist for labour, peace and the environment.

The significance of including ‘May Day’ in the name of this award indicates the importance of recognizing May 1^st as a special day in the Labour Movement. In 1866, the American Federation of Labor adopted a historic resolution that asserted eight hours constitutes a legal day’s labour. This is a historic achievement in the history of the regulation of labour.

CUPE Local 23 is the union of the workers at the City of Burnaby and the Burnaby Public Library.

The Gary Campbell May Day Memorial Award

The Gary Campbell May Day Memorial Award, valued at $1,000, will be granted every year in any term, to an SFU undergraduate student on the basis of the following criteria:

• enrolled full-time in any faculty;
• in good academic standing (minimum 2.00 CGPA);
• demonstrated volunteerism/community service
• enrolled in a Labour Studies Course.

Preference will be given to those:

• with demonstrated community service; and/or,
• pursuing an approved Major, Minor or Certificate in Labour Studies; and/or,
• who are graduates of a School District #41 secondary school.

As part of the application package, students must include the following supporting documentation:

• a letter of reference verifying relevant community service/volunteer work; and,
• copies of all post-secondary transcripts.

Gary Campbell’s biography will be kept on file in the Finanial Aid office and provided to the recipient of the award.

Applications

Interested applicants please submit supporting documents to saadvise@sfu.ca.

The award will be made by the Senate Undergraduate Awards Adjudication Committee.

The James Clark Undergraduate Award in Labour Studies Endowment was established at Simon Fraser University in 2016 with a generous gift from Glen Clark, in honour of his father James, and with matching funds from the International Union of Painters & Allied Trades District Council 38.

Application Due Date: February 10, 2025 (Monday)

Glen Clark

Glen Clark is a Canadian business executive and former politician, serving·as the 31st Premier of British Columbia from 1996 to 1999, and as a Member of the Legislative Assembly from 1986- 2001. He holds a bachelor's degree from Simon Fraser University and a master's degree from the University of British Columbia. Before entering politics he worked as a union organizer. He is currently President of the Jim Pattison Group.

James Clark

James Clark was a member of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades for 30 years and an Executive Officer of IUPAT Local 138 for more than 10 years. As such he actively supported the advancement of the apprenticeship system and workers' rights through community and political activism.

The James Clark Undergraduate Award in Labour Studies

One award, valued at $3,200, will be granted annually in any term to an undergraduate student who meets the following criteria:

• is enrolled full-time in a bachelor's degree program;
• is in good academic standing;
• is a BC Federation of Labour-affiliated union member or is a direct family member of a BC Federation of Labour-affiliated union member;
• is enrolled in or has been approved to enroll in a Labour Studies Major,  Minor or Certificate Program in the Labour Studies Program in SFU's Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences; and
• submits a short essay of up to 750 words on the value of the labour movement in British Columbia.

Applications

Interested applicants please submit supporting documents to saadvise@sfu.ca.

The award will be granted by the Senate Undergraduate Awards Adjudication Committee upon the recommendation of the Director, Labour Studies Program.

The awards will be granted annually in any term to undergraduate students who meet the following criteria: are enrolled full-time during the term of eligibility; are enrolled in the Labour Studies program (certificate, minor or major); are in good academic standing; and have demonstrated financial need. If two eligible candidates are not identified, the additional funds should be held for future terms.

The bursary will be administered by the office of Financial Aid and Awards and granted by the Senate Undergraduate Awards Adjudication Committee.

Michael graduated in June of 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Sociology and Double Minor in Labour Studies and Humanities and was enrolled to begin his MA degree studying labour issues in Canada at the University of Victoria in the fall of that same year.

Michael was a highly engaged and committed undergraduate student, not just in the department through SASU as their chair, but across campus through many other student bodies as well. He was a familiar figure in the corridors of the Sociology and Anthropology Department, regularly sighted speaking with students and faculty members, organzing meetings and events, and encouraging others to get involved. He was also a former SFPIRG board member, part of Left Alterrnative Action Group, a key member of the Labour Studies Union, active in solidarity with the Quebec student movement, worked to build support for possible student action in BC, supported Occupy Vancouver, bulit solidarity for the BC Teachers' Federation in their dispute with the government, and attended many more demos and rallies.  Michael had many friends, was widely respected, and touched many people with his passion for social justice.

Sadly, Michael McDonell passed away in a drowning accident in July of 2013 at the age of 23.

The endowment supports the Michael McDonell Award in Social Justice. The purpose of the award is to provide recognition to undergraduate students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, and, in particular, those who have demonstrated commitment to social activism and justice.

One or more awards, valued at a minimum of $1000, will be granted annually in any term to undergraduate students who meet the following criteria:

• are enrolled full-time in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences in the term of the award
• are in good academic standing
• have a demonstrated commitment to volunteerism related to social activism and justice.

Applications must include:

• a letter outlining their volunteer service as it relates to social activism and justice, along with a letter of reference which verifies this information.

When possible, preference will be give given to students enrolled in a program in Sociology or Labour Studies.

The award will be granted by the Senate Undergraduate Awards Adjudication Committee upon the nomination of the Associate Dean, Undergraduate Academic Programs & Enrolment Management, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

The David Podworny Memorial Scholarship supports students who are enrolling or enrolled in Telecommunications Trade or Labour Studies Program at accredited public institutions in Canada or the United States.

The Scholarship honours the legacy of the late David Podworny.  He was a journeyman in the TV cable industry in Vancouver and began his work in the industry in 1984. It became his lifelong career.  He was actively involved in his workplace, serving on the bargaining committee, as Shop Steward and as a Vice-President of TWU Local 60 (now TWU-USW National, Local 1944, Unit 60).  Dave Podworny exemplified giving back through his service and active democratic participation.  He loved the industry and the people who worked in it.

A downloadable application form and application deadline, follow the link here.