Jamieson Family launches scholarship fund
A long line of community mindedness was resurrected Thursday.
That long line is centred on the Jamieson brothers, all three lending a hand in one way or another to journalism, communication and politics.
The scholarship being founded by the Jamieson family will support studies in political science, communication and journalism. The family is establishing the scholarship to honour and commemorate the professional work and contributions of former politician/ broadcaster Don Jamieson, and his brothers Colin Jamieson and Bas Jamieson.
It was announced at Fred’s Records on Duckworth Street.
Once established, the Jamieson Family Memorial Scholarship will award $1,500 to a high school student who has been accepted into an accredited Canadian university in an undergraduate program in communication, journalism or political science.
A goal of raising $42,000 over a five-year period to support the scholarship has been set.
The fund will be managed through a partnership established with the Community Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador (CFNL), which, in conjunction with the Jamieson Family, will guide the application and selection process. As a registered charity, the CFNL will issue charitable donation receipts for income tax purposes.
“Joshua spearheaded this project. He took it on. It was something Dad wanted to do years ago,” said Glenna Jamieson-english, Colin Jamieson’s daughter.
“Dad would be proud of the work (Joshua) has done.” she added.
Joshua Jamieson arranged through Breakwater Books the re-release of Don Jamieson’s memoirs, “No Place for Fools” and “A World Unto Itself,” in trade paperback for the first time as part of the project and, in addition, had Don’s album “Don Jamieson Remembers” digitized and put on CD for release as part of the fundraising endeavour.
Both books and the CD are available through the scholarship’s website shop individually for $20 each or as a bundle for $50 at www.jamiesonfamilyscholarship.ca.
Ainsley Hawthorn, executive director of the Community Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador, said the organization helps families and businesses start long-term endowment funds such as the Jamieson Family Memorial Scholarship.
“These men had a tremendous impact on the history and culture of this province,” Hawthorn said. “By establishing this fund, this should lend to developing the next generation of leaders in these areas.”
Debby Jamieson Winters, Don Jamieson’s youngest child, will establish an online market to sell handcrafted greeting cards, note card sets and invitations. All proceeds from the re-released CD, books, and Debby’s handcraft items will be directed to the Jamieson Family Memorial Scholarship.
The family will continue to forge partnerships with other organizations and within the corporate and service sectors to reach the objectives of the fund.
“We can think of no better way to honour the commitment Don, Colin and Bas had for helping and empowering others than supporting and encouraging a new generation of young people in the pursuit of careers in politics or journalism,” Joshua said.
“And I will give the final words to my Uncle Bas, as he would say: ‘ Do something nice for someone today, you’ll feel better for it.’”
Both books and copies of the CD are available at Fred’s, in addition to other retailers that will be added in the near future. Other means of obtaining a copy can be done through itunes, Google Play and Amazon MP3.