$150,000 in SaskEnergy scholarships fuel student success, life-long community engagement

Major organizations such as SaskEnergy are making it easier for students in Saskatchewan to study, realize their career goals, and give back to the community in a variety of ways.

“SaskEnergy is proud to partner with the University of Regina to support post-secondary education that helps develop skills, address provincial labour-market demands, drive economic growth, and connect us to our community,” says Allix Schweitzer, BBA’06, SaskEnergy’s Supervisor of Community Engagement.

“The SaskEnergy award has helped me reach my goals and allowed me to stay involved in my community by alleviating some of the financial pressure. Being involved in my community provided me with additional opportunities to add experience to my résumé and assist with my career aspirations.” — Kyla Thies, U of R undergrad student and recipient of a SaskEnergy Award in 2023

This winter, SaskEnergy renewed its previous five-year commitment to support student scholarships at the U of R. The provincial crown corporation is providing another $150,000 over the next five years to support students in three award categories — the SaskEnergy Award for Mature Students, the SaskEnergy Indigenous Award, and the SaskEnergy Awards, which assist talented students who are pursuing undergraduate degrees in the areas of Arts, Business Administration, Engineering or Science.

On track to give back

Now studying for a masters degree in economics at the U of R, Keegan Christ, who received the $2,500 SaskEnergy Award for Mature Students in winter 2022, knows that life and education don’t always chart a straight course.

A high-performing short-track speed skater — proud to call Regina home — he moved to Calgary in 2012 to train, coach, and pursue undergraduate studies part-time. From there, the student-athlete went to Montréal to focus on training with the short-track teams, compete in the 2018 trials for the Olympics, and participate on the National Development Team for short-track speed skating in Canada.

Always planning to finish his schooling and give back to the sport, Christ headed home to the Prairies. Back in Regina to complete his computer science degree at the U of R, the challenge he faced was how to balance his studies with giving back to the speed skating community.

With assistance in the form of a scholarship provided by SaskEnergy, he was able to do just that.

“It was really nice to receive a scholarship as Mature undergrad,” says Christ. “With my available time, the award helped me to be able to continue volunteering as a coach, which was really important to me.”

Thanks to the funding from SaskEnergy, Keegan was able to work part-time while completing his degree and coach rising athletes at the Regina Speed Skating Club. He’s now on track to complete a masters degree in Economics from the U of R in 2025.

Athletic, academic, and community goals align

Undergraduate student Kyla Thies received a SaskEnergy Award in winter 2023 to help her pursue a degree in Business Administration.

“I am currently in my final term pursuing a business degree with a major in accounting, certificate in economics, and a co-op designation,” says Thies. “The SaskEnergy award has helped me reach my goals and allowed me to stay involved in my community by alleviating some of the financial pressure. Being involved in my community provided me with additional opportunities to add experience to my résumé and assist with my career aspirations.”

In addition to her studies, Thies just completed her final year as a student-athlete on the U of R’s curling team. She was a member of the team at Canada West games in February 2022 when they won the gold medal.

“My most extensive community involvement is the time I give back to the sport I love by instructing curling across Saskatchewan,” says Thies. “I contribute to my local curling community by volunteering with Regina’s Curl for Kids programs. I have been instructing for nine years at both clubs in Regina.”

Pass it on

Since 1999, SaskEnergy has been supporting U of R students like Thies and Christ in achieving their academic goals and fulfilling their passion for making a positive impact on their communities. SaskEnergy’s recent commitment of $150,000 to the U of R is just the latest in financial support put toward education, and raises the organization’s total contribution to educational institutions to more than $2.5 million.

Interested in applying for a SaskEnergy award? Find out more.

“SaskEnergy’s renewed funding commitment will help make post-secondary education more accessible and affordable for another 60 deserving students who demonstrate leadership, academic achievement, and community involvement,” says Schweitzer. “We create a stronger Saskatchewan when we support each other. SaskEnergy is pleased to play a role in helping these students continue the cycle of giving back.”

Banner Photo: U of R student-athletes receive SaskEnergy Awards for their academic accomplishments and support for their communities. Photo credit: Banner photos courtesy of Bill Christ and Claudette Bockstael.