Modern Languages Financial Assistance

In Modern Languages we have been working to build funding opportunities for our language students. Below are some of the options available:

Awards and Scholarships

Modern Languages scholarships are funded by donations from Modern Languages faculty through the TRU Foundation in concert with other generous donors.

The Micheline Pellerin Scholarship Awards

Micheline Pellerin was an instructor of French at TRU (then UCC) from 1989 to 2000 and coordinator of the Modern Languages Program from 1995 to 2000. Born in Québec, she came west in her 20s and began teaching French, initially to rail workers in a CN bilingualism programme. Before coming to UCC, she taught at SFU, where she also earned an M.A. in Applied Linguistics. Micheline loved teaching and was known for her good sense of humour and strong concern for students and the languages program. She was a tireless advocate for language lab development and use of technology in language teaching.  She was also an avid musician who enjoyed playing recorder and guitar and singing. She participated in various musical groups, including singing in the UCC Chorus. This Modern Languages Scholarship award seeks to keep the memory of Micheline alive by promoting the goal to which she dedicated her life: helping her students learn well.

The Scholarship is awarded yearly to two top academic students: one in French and one in another language (rotating yearly) taught at TRU. Nomination is by instructor recommendation.

The Les Koritz Scholarship Awards

Les Koritz was a founding faculty member and the first coordinator of Modern Languages at TRU (then Cariboo College). He taught German from 1971 to 1980 and was active in the Kamloops cultural community, including the Kamloops Film Society and Community Concerts series.

This award is given annually to two top first-year students in Modern Languages, with languages rotating in conjunction with the Micheline Pellerin Scholarship Award. Nomination is by instructor recommendation.

The Simone Rey Bursary

This bursary honours the philanthropic efforts and generosity of Simone Rey. It is awarded on a discretionary need basis.

Teaching assistants

During face-to-face teaching, Modern Languages offers employment opportunities to students with advanced language competencies by hiring teaching assistants to lead language lab sessions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, labs are led directly by faculty members.