History has always fascinated Dr. David Hay. The first time the past captured Hay’s interest and imagination he was a Grade 4 student. Not long after, Hay recalls feeling a spark of inspiration — ignited by the realization that history was something he could study forever.
“I was a pretty disinterested student until history grabbed my attention,” Hay recalls. “Once I knew it was possible to study something I was genuinely interested in, my path was set.”
Hay turned his interest in history into a career, and became a professor on the subject at the University of Lethbridge in 2000.
While Hay spends his days teaching his students about events of the past, he is deeply committed to their future. He has been a monthly contributor to the Supporting Our Students initiative for years, serves as a spokesperson for the campaign and is also on the SOS community building subcommittee. For Hay, participating in SOS is an exercise in empathy.
“Anybody who’s gone the distance in academia should have no trouble relating to the struggles students face,” says Hay. “Once you’ve reached the PhD level, financial pressure is something you understand very well. Contributing to SOS is a way to let students know that, as professors, we’ve been through the same thing. We get it, we’ve been there and we want to help.”
Hay says that the challenges students face today are even greater than when he went to university, and believes the benefits of the SOS program extend far beyond financial relief.
“There is a community of people that make SOS possible,” says Hay. “We’re not just helping students out from under the pressure of how to pay for school. We’re creating a culture. The shared belief that students are important enough to put our dollars behind binds us together, and the overall effect is a sort of intangible positivity that reaches far beyond individual financial situations. It’s like an extended family. We’re all in it for the students, and we all want to see them succeed.”
Current participation in SOS university-wide is around 30 percent — a rate Hay would very much like to see increase. His own department, the Department of History, has the highest rate of participation (100 per cent for seven consecutive years, to be exact), and Hay challenges every department to achieve the same.
“Students need to know we are committed to their success,” he says. “The amount you give is not as important as the fact that you give. You can simply sign up on-line, via The Bridge. It’s quick and easy, and even five dollars a month will make a difference. The success of our students is worth it.”
Join David and support our students today.