An important fundraising campaign has received a key contribution that will benefit student teachers at the University of Lethbridge for years to come.
ULethbridge Faculty of Education alumni Dr. Toby (BEd ’89, MEd ’04, LLD ‘25) and Dr. Bernadine (Bernie)(BEd ’88, LLD ’25) Boulet have committed a life insurance gift that will one day support Paving Roads to Success, a campaign launched in 2024 to help third-year student teachers pursuing rural practicum placements.
The legacy gift allows the Boulets to make a transformational impact in the future in a manageable way and is rooted in the values that shaped their teaching careers.
“As graduates of the University of Lethbridge, the opportunity to be there for future students is important to us,” says Toby. “The life insurance gift was easy to do. We pay monthly, receive a tax benefit now and it allows us to leave money to the University of Lethbridge in the future.”
Bernie sees the pledge as a way to pay forward the support they received when establishing their careers.
“I think it’s really important to be able to give back to where we came from,” she says. “Someone believed in us when we came through and it made a difference to us, so it’s crucial that we continue to support the students here now, because they’re future educators.”
Student teachers in rural placements face greater financial pressures due to additional travel and living expenses. The Paving Roads to Success campaign aims to ease that burden and support student teachers as they bring quality education to underserved communities across Alberta. Toby says the campaign is designed to allow students to focus less on financial stress and more on preparing for their careers.
“When you’re in university, you’re supposed to be enjoying yourself, learning, working, preparing for the future. There will be plenty of financial responsibilities later in life. If we can help some young people worry less about bills, that’s what we want to do.”
The Boulets entered the national spotlight in 2018 when their son, Logan, was among those killed in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash. Logan had previously expressed a desire to be an organ donor, and the decision ultimately saved six lives and inspired nearly 150,000 donor registrations across Canada within weeks of the tragedy.
While not every selfless act will have the widespread impact of the Logan Boulet Effect, Bernie says it reinforced the importance of generosity and the far-reaching effect even one decision can have.
“As an organ donor, you make a huge impact. You don’t only impact the person who receives the organ, you also impact their family, their friends and their community,” she says. “By giving back to the University, we’re doing something similar. It’s not the same, of course, but it’s similar in the sense that you’re helping shape someone’s future, and that makes a difference for all the people they impact in their careers.”
Planned giving is a creative and flexible way for supporters to make a contribution that accounts for their unique needs, interests and financial situation.
“We’re very thankful to Bernie and Toby for this thoughtful and intentional gift that’s a perfect way to wrap up legacy month,” says Erika Scott, ULethbridge’s Director, Philanthropy and Information Services. “With a planned gift such as this, we were able to provide a way in which they could contribute to an area of need that is deeply personal to them that will leave an impactful and enduring legacy.”
With the Board of Governors matching campaign ending soon — every dollar contributed up to $50,000 will be doubled — the Boulets say there’s no better time to maximize impact.
“It’s important that we take advantage of this opportunity right now, because even a small gift can make a difference,” Bernie says. “It can be a one-time gift, monthly gift, a life insurance policy — whatever makes sense for you. Just know that whatever you give will have an impact.”
