NSCC Foundation hosts dedication event in honour of Margaret Mary Cook
$2 million donation to students
Jul. 26, 2022 – Media Release
Port Hawkesbury, NS – The NSCC Foundation and David Cook hosted a dedication event in honour of the late Margaret Mary Cook at the NSCC Strait Area Campus Learning Commons today in recognition of a $2 million estate gift to fund student awards in perpetuity at the campus.
To show the College’s gratitude for Margaret’s generosity, the Strait Area Campus Learning Commons will now become the Margaret Mary Cook Learning Commons, to reflect her commitment to supporting students’ access to post-secondary education.
The Margaret Cook (nee Boucher) and Dr. David Cook Bursary will fund a minimum of 35 $2,000 awards annually at NSCC’s Strait Area Campus. The awards will be available to full-time students in any year of study in any program. To learn more about all bursaries and awards available at NSCC, please visit nscc.ca/awards.
“My dear late wife, Margaret, was a proud Nova Scotian. She was modest and never lost sight of her simple background. The great success that she and her late husband, Tony Crolla, had in business, is a testament that hard work can bring great rewards. The donation that Margaret has made to NSCC’s Strait Area Campus is meant to help students who require financial assistance to fulfill their ambitions.” – Dr. David Cook, husband of the late Margaret Mary Cook
“The College is honoured to receive a gift of this capacity. The lifetime impact Margaret’s gift will make is incredible. With the utmost gratitude, thank you to Margaret and Dr. David Cook for your support and dedication to NSCC students.” - Don Bureaux, President, NSCC
“Margaret’s gift is a substantial investment in students at the Strait Area Campus and will support generations of graduates from all programs,” says Captain Vivek Saxena, Principal of NSCC Strait Area Campus. “We are proud to have a permanent recognition of Margaret’s belief in our students on campus with the Margaret Mary Cook Learning Commons.”
About NSCC
NSCC is committed to building Nova Scotia's economy and quality of life through education and innovation, transforming Nova Scotia one learner at a time. NSCC offers more than 140 career-oriented programs throughout the province at our 14 campuses, including our online eCampus. Programs are offered through five academic schools – Access, Education and Language; Business and Creative Industries; Health and Human Services, Technology and Environment; Trades and Transportation – and reflect the labour market needs and opportunities in Nova Scotia. NSCC's primary goal: student success. An annual survey of College graduates shows that 83% are employed one year after graduation, most in their field of study, with 94% of those employed living and working in Nova Scotia.
About Margaret Mary Cook
Margaret Mary Cook (née Boucher) came from a humble background. This proud Nova Scotian, born in Havre Boucher, was the youngest of eight children born to Ethel and Hector Boucher. Margaret was caring, egalitarian and generous of heart and spirit. She thrived throughout her successful career in business — never losing sight of her Nova Scotia roots and remaining grounded by her loving upbringing. This shone through in her work ethic and in her wish to give back to her community through many organizations, including NSCC. Her donation to the College will support generations of Nova Scotians who, like her, came from families of modest means. The Margaret Mary Cook Learning Commons honours her rich legacy of continual learning and community building.
For more information
Kathleen Cameron, Manager of External Relations, NSCC
902-499-7844,