Supporting Students From Single Parent Homes

After her husband died in 2007, Diane established an awards program in his honour: the Mel J. Aide Bursary and Mel J. Aide Scholarship for Architectural Technology students (Mel was an alumnus, class of ‘74). Her husband was raised in a single parent home and understood the struggle involved, so Diane directed the awards towards students who were either raised by single parents or are single parents raising children.

“My husband’s death at the very young age of 55, added to the fact that we had no children, made me decide to leave something in his name so he would be remembered long after his passing,” Diane says. Since my whole lifestyle pretty much is a result of the education he received at SIAST back in the 70s, I thought Sask Polytech would be a good place to start.”

Diane recently decided to leave a gift in her will to ensure the Mel J. Aide awards continue to benefit students from single parent homes well into the future. "I think Sask Polytech is a remarkable place, and I'm hoping to help young people with financial burdens get the education they desire."

For anyone thinking of making a planned gift to Sask Polytech, Diane shares some encouraging words. "Any amount of money will help people applying for bursaries or scholarships. In my case, with no children to inherit, I think Sask Polytech is a great place to name as a beneficiary."