A dedication to students
Author: Development and Donor Relations
Posted on Feb 20, 2020
Category: Creating Opportunities for Students , Donor Stories , Bequests , News and Events , Scholarships and Bursaries
Catherine Sutherland (BA '78, BBA '94) has a long history of commitment to UNB, and she has ensured that dedication will continue for years to come.
A UNB family
Catherine comes from a UNB family, and because her father didn’t finish his degree at UNB, it was important to him that Catherine had the opportunity to finish hers.
Like her late husband Gerald, Catherine came from humble beginnings. While a student at UNB, Catherine always worked part-time to avoid incurring a large debt load. Years later, she realized that this fear of debt had prevented her from experiencing all that university life had to offer, and this inspired her giving to UNB. “I want to assist young students so they will have a more fulfilling university experience,” she said.
Women helping women
Catherine is motivated by a strong desire to help women succeed. As with her volunteer work for the Chalmers Hospital Foundation and Liberty Lane, she sees her giving to UNB as women helping women in a way that makes a real difference. In 2018, inspired by UNB women’s hockey coach Sarah Hilworth’s passion for the team, Catherine established the Catherine Sutherland Scholarship in Women’s Hockey at UNB. This scholarship, awarded to a student who has demonstrated talent in women’s hockey, helps students focus more fully on their academics and their sport by relieving some of the financial stress that university brings.
The inaugural recipient of the Catherine Sutherland Scholarship in Women’s Hockey, in 2018-19, was Reds goaltender Kendra Woodland of Kamloops, B.C. Kendra was named UNB Female Rookie of the Year, Atlantic University Sport Rookie of the Year, and UNB’s Most Valuable Player. Catherine is proud to have played a part in Kendra’s success. “I was so honoured to be part of Kendra’s life,” she said. Catherine continues to be close to Kendra, and to this year’s recipient, Reds forward Tamina Kehler of Chilliwack, B.C.
A lasting impact
While Catherine’s main motivation is making a difference in students’ lives rather than building a legacy, she wanted to ensure that students would continue to benefit for years to come – and that is why she donated a life insurance policy to UNB. Catherine recommends a gift of a life insurance policy to her fellow alumni because it is an easy way to give. “Life insurance policies are good for families that have longterm plans and wills in place,” she said. “An insurance policy makes it so easy for those families – they don’t have to alter anything the family has decided on. That’s the great benefit.”
Plan your bequest
You can make UNB the beneficiary of a life insurance policy, and it is even more advantageous to your estate to make UNB both the owner and beneficiary of the policy. The death benefit of a life insurance policy is not counted as part of your estate, so it does not add to the estate’s tax burden.
“UNB attracts some of the best and brightest students,” Catherine said, “and it is our duty as alumni to nurture, support and enable students to pursue their passion and remain active through athletics, clubs and community activities.”