One Student’s Journey From Heartbreak To Graduation

Two life-changing events happened during Melanie Gray’s time at Queen’s. Her mother died of cancer which meant she became the legal guardian to her two younger brothers, and she received a major bursary which allowed her to stay at Queen’s despite her family’s financial hardships.

Without that funding, the Artsci’16 graduate would likely not have been able to walk across the convocation stage in Grant Hall on June 7.

“It was a life-changing moment when I received the Anne Shaw Hudson Bursary. I will be forever grateful to the Queen’s alumni family that was there to support me as I struggled to take care of my own family,” says Melanie.

She is one of many students who benefited from the Initiative Campaign. The 10-year fundraising campaign at Queen’s recently wrapped up on April 30, 2016, totalling more than $640 million in donations to the University, including $85 million in support of scholarships and bursaries.

The Art History student’s first few years at Queen’s were divided between going to class and taking her mother, Lauren, to chemotherapy at Kingston General Hospital. Lauren believed in the value of education and was proud her daughter was attending Queen’s.

“Education was always her number-one priority. She grew up on a reserve in poverty and never graduated from high school. She wanted all her children to get a degree and kept telling us not to worry and focus on school,” says Melanie.

Lauren’s long battle with cancer ended on March 18, 2014 when she passed away a few days before Melanie’s 21^st birthday. Melanie tried to keep herself busy to help cope with the grief. She co-founded a well-being circle for Indigenous students at the Four Directions Aboriginal Student Centre and was president of the Queen’s Native Student Association.

The hardships continued as financial stress replaced her mother’s health issues. The family home was in need of urgent repairs, and she could barely provide her family’s basic needs. Life was “one step forward and ten steps back.” The stress was overwhelming as Melanie considered dropping out of Queen’s to find a job.

Fortunately, the Queen’s community offered support. She received guidance and financial aid from Queen’s Financial Assistance, Ban Righ Centre, and the Chaplain’s office. It was the Anne Shaw Hudson Bursary that gave her the freedom to focus on her education and not worry about paying bills. As a result, she was able to find her passion for learning and her grades went up dramatically.

“I truly hope people understand how much their donations to Queen’s can change a student’s life.”