Since establishing a $1.2 million endowment in 2016, Paul and Gerri Charrette have continued to make a significant difference in the lives of Centennial College students aspiring for a career in the construction industry.
The former Bird Construction CEO and President Paul and his wife Gerri first created full-tuition scholarships for students in the Architectural Technology and Environmental Technology programs at Centennial College. From the moment they set foot on campus, to the day they crossed the stage at graduation, these recipients were able to focus on achieving their academic goals without the financial pressure of paying for tuition.
“This scholarship has helped me focus more on my education and has allowed me to truly enjoy the lessons I am taught. I am very appreciative that I was given the opportunity to learn without thinking about the financial debt I would have to face after graduating. This scholarship has also really helped improve my confidence. I am very proud to have received this honour, as it is one of my greatest achievements! Thank you for all your help, Paul and Gerri - you both are very generous people!”.
- Minxian Yang, Paul and Gerri Charette Full Tuition Scholarship Recipient, Graduating Class of 2021
Removing financial barriers and making a difference to students who might not otherwise be able to afford to pursue their post-secondary dreams has always been a driving force for Paul and Gerri Charette.
"It is our responsibility to encourage students on their academic journey,” said Mr. Charette, “and we want to ensure capable individuals who are motivated to enter these fields may do so unencumbered by the cost of education."
To further their philanthropic goals, the Charette’s recently established the Paul and Gerri Charette Awards to ensure even more students interested in the construction industry have access to the funding needed to get them started or continue on their career path. In 2020-21, an additional $45,000 was awarded, and a total of 18 students benefitted from the couple’s generosity through the Paul and Gerri Charette Award.
“I feel incredibly honored and blessed for being awarded this award. This has removed a large portion of stress away from me which wouldn’t have been possible without this support. Thank you, Paul and Gerri Charette for blessing me with this gift and opportunity that would otherwise have been just a dream. I am now able to have the financial freedom to further my education and not be restricted to only one line of work. I will forever remember this moment that you have blessed into my life and I will be forever grateful for the hope and dreams that you have helped me to achieve. I will remember to pay it forward to others as well as help those who are less fortunate than me as how you have helped me!”. – Henry But, 2020/21 Paul and Gerri Charette Award Recipient
In addition to supporting, health, community and cultural organizations, the Charettes are committed benefactors of education, particularly the community college system. The couple has a commendable history as Centennial College donors, with a keen interest in assisting students from families that have never had a member graduate from college or university. For many students, the cost of education can stand in the way of attaining personal and career goals. With more than 90 per cent of Centennial students receiving some form of financial assistance, scholarships are crucial to helping students realize their career aspirations.
To learn more about how you can make a gift and support Centennial students, please contact giving@centennialcollege.ca.