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Bursary honouring York’s first dean empowers grad to give back

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Shawnette Bankasingh (BA ’14, BEd ’15)

Good energy is more than just a feel-good fad for Shawnette Bankasingh (BA ’14, BEd ’15). It is something the York University alumna believes will positively impact people’s lives.

“Once you give good energy, it will always come back to you in various ways,” she says. “It’s a good practice of paying it forward.”

A recent recipient of the George Tatham Bursary Fund at York, Bankasingh doesn’t just preach about good energy, she teaches it. Armed with degrees in sociology and urban diversity consecutive education, Bankasingh is a certified primary school teacher. She is also a single mother of an eight-year-old boy, Solace. While the Tatham bursary helped her financially when she was completing her studies at York, Bankasingh was quick to spend most of the money she received on the students she was teaching in marginalized communities where resources were limited.

“With such diverse students, I incorporated various teaching aides into my instruction to provide opportunities for engaging and enriched learning experiences,” she says. “I like to help out and to give back, and that’s something I try to pass along to people I encounter and to teach my son.”

George Tatham, York University Libraries, Clara Thomas Archives & Special Collections, ASC35597

Named in honour of York’s first dean, George Tatham (LLD ’78), the Tatham bursary was established with contributions from more than 40 donors; the largest gift was made by one of Tatham’s students, John Terrance “Terry” Gardner (BA ’71). Gardner, who majored in geography and played varsity rugby at York, bequeathed more than $65,000 matched by the province to the Tatham bursary endowment. May 2016 marked the 10th anniversary of Gardner’s death.

While he was at York, Gardner was one of the so-called “Tatham’s Toughies,” a group of exceptionally fit students who participated with Tatham in athletics, squash, tennis, boxing, and weight lifting. In York’s early years, Tatham, a geography professor, integrated his “whole person” philosophy in extracurricular student life and advised on the design of the physical education and athletics program. A man of many talents, he was also an accomplished concert pianist who made McLaughlin College, where he served as the master for 10 years, a centre of musical life on campus. Tatham was inducted to the York Sports Hall of Fame in 1985. He died in 1987 at the age of 80.

Since the Tatham bursary was first awarded in 1998, about 70 students from McLaughlin College who demonstrate financial need have benefited from its support. Just as Tatham helped his students to develop as all-around contributing members of the society, recipients like Bankasingh are applying what they’ve gained with the help of the award to assist others.

“The bursary reminded me to always try helping others in need, even when you’re not in a position to do so,” says Bankasingh, who volunteers and mentors youth in the Jane and Finch area. “Through my lived experiences and education, I’ve been able to develop critical-thinking skills and see the world and my purpose in it differently. It’s empowering. I have a newfound sense of maturity and humility, and I want to help others believe in themselves and the power they have.”