Scholarship honours murdered Nipissing University student

Nipissing University and the family of student Lindsay Wilson, who was murdered on April 5, 2013, just two weeks prior to the end of her graduating year, are working to establish a memorial scholarship in her name.



The scholarship will be awarded annually to students who demonstrate the same sort of passion, commitment and advocacy in social services that Wilson displayed while working with people with intellectual disabilities. Wilson was posthumously awarded her Honours Bachelor of Arts in Child and Family Studies, earned at Nipissing’s Muskoka Campus in Bracebridge, in June. She had planned to enter the Master of Social Work program at the University of Windsor this fall.



“We’ve had wonderful support from Nipissing University since Lindsay was killed,” said Wilson’s mother, Alison Irons. “It’s no wonder that Nipissing is rated so highly for student satisfaction in the Globe and Mail, they really care about students. We’re honoured that they want to launch a scholarship in Lindsay’s name, and hope it will encourage others to enter the social or disability services field. We also appreciate the outpouring of compassion we’ve experienced from many Muskoka residents.”



To fund an annual scholarship, an endowment of $10,000 is needed.



“Lindsay’s friends raised over $1,000 in the first few days of the campaign through their Facebook contacts alone! That has really inspired our family and helped us in dealing with her murder,” added Irons.



Donations can be made online at www.nipissingu.ca/giving, and should specify that they are for a ``bursary, award or scholarship in honour (or memory) of Lindsay Wilson”. Forms are also available online for those who prefer to send a personal cheque or pre-authorized payment. Donations of $20 or more are eligible for business or personal charitable tax credits. The scholarship will be administered by Nipissing University.