Walker Wood Foundation Establishes $80,000 Student Success Fund at Holland College

The Holland College Foundation is pleased to announce the establishment of the Walker Wood Foundation Student Success Fund, made possible through an $80,000 gift from the Nova Scotia-based Walker Wood Foundation. The fund will help to ease financial pressures and create opportunities for students. 

Half of the gift, $40,000, will strengthen student food security initiatives at Holland College, including campus food banks, breakfast programs and the Student SKILLit program. The remaining $40,000 will fund the Walker Wood Foundation Access & Opportunity Awards, providing $10,000 annually for four years in entrance awards to incoming students across all areas of study who demonstrate financial need, academic achievement, leadership and involvement in extracurricular or community activities. 

The Walker Wood Foundation was established in 2006 by Neil C.W. Wood and his wife, Susan Wood, inspired by the educational journey of Neil’s father, Dr. James Walker Wood. In the early 1900s, Dr. Wood received a Carnegie Scholarship that enabled him to attend medical school in Aberdeen, shaping a lifelong commitment to service and instilling a deep family value for expanding access to education. 

This legacy, combined with Neil and Susan Wood’s own experiences immigrating to Canada and building successful careers in business and finance, led to the creation of the Walker Wood Foundation. Since Neil Wood’s passing in 2021, the Wood family has continued to advance his philanthropic vision. 

“We are deeply grateful to the Walker Wood Foundation and the Wood family for their commitment to expanding opportunities for students,” said Jo-Ann Campbell-Boutilier, Executive Director of the Holland College Foundation. “By supporting both entrance awards and food security initiatives, this generous gift will help students begin their educational journey with confidence and remain focused on achieving their goals.” 

Related News

There are currently no releated news stories.