When my father, Ronald Saumure, passed away in 2023, our family, and the Ottawa community, felt an irreplaceable loss. Ronald was more than just a devoted husband and father; he was a pillar of support for everyone around him, known for his resourcefulness, his solution-focused mindset, and above all, his mischievous sense of humor that could light up any room. As I stepped back to reflect on how best to preserve his legacy, one truth became clear: the values he lived by, ingenuity and community service, deserved to be passed on to the next generation of architectural professionals.
Why I Created the Endowment
My father was proud to be an alumnus of Algonquin College’s Architectural Technology program. He often spoke fondly of how proud he was to be a architectural technologist, not technician. He appreciated collaborative design projects. After his graduation, he dedicated his career to helping others, from offering guidance to young draftsmen and volunteering his technical know-how with Maison de la Francophonie.
I had learned about how Algonquin College had a endowment model, when I also attended Algonquin College(2007-2010). During my time at Algonquin College, I recall chatting with Graham Thompson who explained to be the college’s matching program and how endowments work. At the time I was leading the Algonquin Accounting Club and the club had left over money at the end of the year so we gave out a $500 scholarship that they helped distribute. But we didn’t have the funds to endow the scholarship!
He explained that principal amount remains intact and only the investment income funds the award each year. As an Accounting professional I respect and appreciate this fiscal model. I knew this was the perfect mechanism to honor Dad’s spirit forever.
I approached my family and asked them what criteria should be used for this award. We envisioned a scholarship that would recognize not only academic promise but also the same “can-do” attitude my father embodied: students who tackle complex design challenges with creativity, who mentor their peers, and who show kindness in every project site they join. Thus, the Ronald Saumure Award of Excellence was born.
How We Raised the Funds
Establishing an endowed scholarship requires a significant financial commitment. Algonquin College’s advancement office generally sets a minimum threshold of $15,000 CAD to seed a new endowment. Here’s the roadmap we followed:
- Seed Gift from Family – I committed the first $5,000 myself and reached out to close family members and then to my broader network. I spoke to my mom and brother, and we all felt this was the right thing to do.
- Engaging the Community – Between heartfelt conversations and memories shared over lunches, my brother and friends felt we should give people an opportunity to contribute as well. Then things hit it off! It felt meaningful that the people who knew Dad best were instrumental in getting the fund off the ground.
- Continued Momentum – Next, we had people I had never met. Some of my dad’s old friends, colleagues and fellow alumni. It felt very special when it started attracting it’s own attention and momentum and the money kept coming in! People ended up donating $15,605, surpassing our goals!
Looking Ahead
With the fund now fully endowed, the first award will be presented at Algonquin College in for the 2025-2026 academic year. I can’t wait to meet the recipient: a student who not only excels in design and technical studies but who also embodies Dad’s generosity and boundless curiosity.
Creating this scholarship has been more than a way to memorialize Ronald, it has been a journey of bringing people together around shared values: the transformative power of education, the importance of community service, and the joy of solving problems with a smile. To everyone who contributed, my family, friends, colleagues, Algonquin College, and even strangers who felt moved to give, you’ve helped ensure Ronald Saumure’s light continues to shine through each student who carries his Award of Excellence.
Thank you for helping keep his spirit alive, one aspiring student at a time.