The Verna J Kirkness Education Foundation announced today the appointment of Mark Whitmore to the Foundation Board of Directors.

Dr. Whitmore holds degrees in Mathematics and Physics from McMaster University. He was a faculty member at Memorial University of Newfoundland from 1977 to 2014, where he also held a variety of academic administrative positions. He moved to the University of Manitoba in 2014 for a ten-year term as Dean of Science, during which he became a strong supporter of the the Verna J. Kirkness program. Following the completion of his term as Dean, he led the Faculty of Science Indigenous Achievement Initiative for three years until his retirement and move to Blind River, Ontario. He served on a number of boards of directors during his career, and has recently joined the North Shore Health Network Board of Trustees in northern Ontario.

About the Verna J. Kirkness Education Foundation

The Verna J Kirkness Education Foundation’s Mission is to increase the number of First Nations, Métis and Inuit students graduating from science and engineering programs in Canada.  

The Verna J. Kirkness Science and Engineering Education Program (Science and Engineering Program) offered by the Foundation addresses the under-representation of First Nations, Métis and Inuit students at Canadian universities. One of the factors contributing to this is the lack of academic role models for these students. 

The Foundation addresses this by providing an opportunity to for Indigenous grade 11 students to spend a week at a Canadian university interacting with scientists in their research laboratories. The Foundation covers the full cost of the Science and Engineering Program including travel and accommodation. During their week on campus the students have the opportunity to meet role models, learn about the support systems that are available to them on campus and experience the excitement of doing research. The Science and Engineering Program develops motivated role models who foster the importance of graduating from high school and obtaining a postsecondary education.

For information about the Foundation or to learn how you can support our programs, please contact Tony C.L. Williams, Chair of the Board of Directors tony.williams@vjkf.org