Trustees

Lawrence Donald

Lawrence Donald: Graduate of RCI (1972); University of Manitoba, Faculty of Law
(1978, LL.B.).
Upon graduation from RCI, he was the final recipient of the Barclay-Gilchrist-Reid
Memorial Scholarship ($300.00 based upon granting criteria similar to those of the
Society of Friends Scholarship. He is thrilled to play a role in helping to ensure the
current scholarship opportunity for RCI grads will never run out of money.
Lawrence grew up in Rivers and enjoyed and benefited from many of the curricular and
extra-curricular opportunities available to Rivers youth. He served as the president of
the RCI Student Council and participated in cubs, scouts, Rivers School Orchestra
(cello) and Rivers Minor Hockey (player and referee).
Since graduation from law school Lawrence has resided and practiced law in Brandon.
Professionally, he has enjoyed a rich and varied legal practice with extensive
involvement in the real estate, commercial, estate planning and administration fields as
a solicitor. This has been complemented by civil, family and criminal litigation activity in
all levels of Manitoba courts and several federal courts as well as federal and provincial
administrative tribunals as legal counsel and as a tribunal member.
In the area of community service, he has taken leadership and fund-raising roles in
many organizations, including Toastmasters International, United Way of Brandon and
District, Brandon Chamber Players, Eckhardt-Gramatte National Music Competition,
Special Olympics 2006 National Summer Games, the Western Manitoba Bar
Association, the Law Society of Manitoba, Kiwanis Club of Brandon and Knox United
Church, as well as children’s sporting organizations.
Lawrence and his wife, Brenda have two adult children and one young grandchild and
have experienced first-hand how student scholarships benefit not just the student
recipients but their families as well.

Jane Brown

Graduate of RCI 1973. Jane was born and raised in Rivers, Manitoba. She met and married her high school sweetheart, Larry Brown, and have been married for 47 years. They have 2 grown children and 5 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. They currently live in Brandon. Jane graduated Rivers High School and began a career at MPI. After being a stay at home mom while their children were small, Jane returned to the work force at Behlen Industries in 1983. She was employed with them for 26 years in various capacities starting in the office in the production department, then moving to accounting and then to IT. She has also done the bookkeeping for their family business, HiWay Esso, since 1995.  They sold the Esso in 2021 so now has more time to volunteer and help out in the community. Jane was on the board for Career Connections for 4 years and served on the Onanole and District Recreation Centre Board as the Treasurer. Jane is currently on the board for Family Visions and serving as Treasurer. Jane served as Chair of the Statistics committee for the 2006 Special Olympics Canada that was held in Brandon. Jane is a life member of the Rivers Ladies Legion Auxiliary and is currently the President of the Manitoba Northwestern Ontario Provincial Council, Ladies Legion Auxiliary.

Elwin Kettner

Graduate of RCI 1968
BSc. ( Mathematics)  Brandon University
MA  (Economics)  University of Alberta
Economist , MHA Consulting, Edmonton Alberta
Economist , Alberta Government, Alberta
Economics Professor, Canadian University College , Lacombe Alberta
Instructor, Assiniboine Community College, Brandon Manitoba
Author, Capitalism is Fallen
Elwin Kettner holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics and a Master’s Degree in Economics. His Post Graduate Studies are in the fields of Monetary Theory and Agricultural Economics. He is a Certified Financial Planner and a Financial Management Advisor, and has taught postsecondary courses in economics and financial planning. His other interests include agriculture, motorcycles, classic cars, and flying. He lives with his wife in Manitoba. They have two adult sons.

David Halstead (Advisor)

Graduate of Onanole High School Grade 11. Brandon College B. Ed, B.Sc., University of Regina M. Ed, Plus extensive study on brain structure and development as related to learning and behaviour.
Professional History:
Physics, Mathematics teacher and student Counsellor – Rivers Collegiate Institute 1962 – 1966
Physics Instructor, student services developer and administrator Dean of Student Services, former Saskatchewan Technical Institute, now Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Moose Jaw
Industrial Relations Officer, Kumasi Technical Institute, Kumasi Ghana, West Africa
Director of Admissions, University of Manitoba
Lead researcher and facilitator Brain Power Learning Group
Community Service:
Toastmasters International – Club President, Area Governor, District Lieutenant Governor
Over the course of a numbers of years Board Chairman or Vice Chairman of:
Minto United Church, Minto Family Life Education Centre, Moose Jaw City Social Services
Association of Registrars of Universities and Colleges of Canada
Saint Anthony’s Home, Providence Hospital
Society of Friends of Rivers Collegiate Institute Scholarship Fund – Trustee
Elected member: Senate of the University of Regina
Married to Peggy Grace Halstead (Now deceased), published author and school trustee, father of 2 and grandfather of 5. Now retired and living in Winnipeg.

Scholarship Fund Core Values
Mission Statement

Our mission is to empower deserving individuals by providing financial support to pursue higher education and achieve their academic and career goals. We aim to eliminate financial barriers and create equal opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds, ensuring their potential is not limited by limited resources. Through our scholarship fund, we strive to inspire and enable educational excellence, fostering a community of future leaders who will positively impact society. We are committed to promoting access, equity, and merit-based opportunities, driving social mobility, and creating a brighter future for promising RCI Graduates.

Our Core Values
  1. Access and Equity: We believe that education should be accessible to all, regardless of socio-economic backgrounds, ethnicity, gender, or any other barriers. We are committed to providing equal opportunities and reducing disparities in educational access.
  2. Empowerment: We strive to empower individuals through education by supporting their aspirations, enabling them to reach their full potential, and fostering self-confidence and autonomy.
  3. Merit and Excellence: We value academic achievement, dedication, and commitment to personal and professional growth. Our scholarship fund recognizes and rewards individuals who demonstrate exceptional merit and a strong commitment to achieve their personal goals through academic excellence.
  4. Impact and Social Responsibility: We aim to create a positive and lasting impact on individuals, communities, and society as a whole. We encourage our scholarship recipients to use their education to make a difference and contribute to the betterment of society.
  5. Accountability and Transparency: We operate with utmost accountability, ensuring that scholarship funds are managed responsibly, efficiently, and ethically. We prioritize transparency in our selection process, criteria, and financial management, ensuring that all stakeholders have a clear understanding of our operations.
  6. Collaboration and Partnerships: We foster collaborations and partnerships with educational institutions, community organizations, and other stakeholders to leverage resources, reach broader audiences, and maximize the impact of our scholarship fund.
  7. Continuous Learning and Innovation: We value a culture of continuous learning and encourage innovation in our approaches to scholarship provision. We constantly evaluate and adapt our programs to ensure they remain relevant, effective, and responsive to evolving educational needs and opportunities.
  8. Diversity and Inclusion: We embrace diversity in all its forms and value inclusivity. We strive to create an inclusive scholarship fund that welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, creating a supportive and enriching community.
  9. Stewardship and Sustainability: We are committed to the responsible stewardship of resources and the long-term sustainability of our scholarship fund. We aim to ensure that the support we provide today continues to benefit future generations of deserving students.
  10. Integrity and Ethical Standards: We uphold the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct in all aspects of our scholarship fund. We adhere to strict confidentiality and privacy policies, maintaining the trust and respect of our applicants, recipients, donors, and partners.
Our Philosophy
  1. Opportunity for All: Our scholarship fund operates on the philosophy that education is a fundamental right that should be accessible to all individuals, regardless of their financial means or background. We believe that everyone deserves an equal opportunity to pursue higher education and fulfill their potential.
  2. Empowerment through Education: We believe in the transformative power of education to empower individuals to create positive change in their lives and communities. By providing financial support, we are assisting students to acquire the necessary skills, knowledge, and resources to unlock their full potential and achieve their dreams.
  3. Investing in the Future: We view scholarships as investments in the future, recognizing that education is a key driver of social mobility and economic prosperity. By investing in promising students, we aim to shape the future generation of leaders and professionals who will contribute to the development of society.
  4. Merit and Excellence: We uphold the principles of meritocracy and excellence in our scholarship program. We recognize and reward individuals who demonstrate exceptional academic achievements, personal growth, and a strong commitment to making a positive impact on their communities.
  5. Holistic Development: We believe in supporting the holistic development of students, not just academically, but also in terms of personal, social, and leadership skills. We encourage our scholarship recipients to engage in extracurricular activities, community service, and personal growth initiatives to foster well-rounded individuals.
  6. Collaboration and Networking: We value the power of collaboration and networking in enhancing educational opportunities. We actively seek partnerships with educational institutions, community organizations, and industry leaders to provide our scholars with access to mentorship, internships, and other resources that can enrich their educational experience.
  7. Paying it Forward: We encourage our scholarship recipients to pay forward the support they receive by giving back to their communities and helping others overcome barriers to education. We believe in fostering a culture of reciprocity and social responsibility, where scholars become agents of positive change.
  8. Transparency and Accountability: We are committed to maintaining transparency and accountability in all aspects of our scholarship fund. We ensure that our selection process is fair, unbiased, and based on clear criteria. We also maintain open lines of communication with our stakeholders, providing regular updates on the impact of our scholarships.
  9. Continuous Improvement: We are dedicated to continuous improvement and ongoing evaluation of our scholarship program. We strive to identify areas for enhancement and adapt our strategies to ensure that we are effectively addressing the evolving needs and challenges of the educational landscape.
  10. Long-Term Impact: We envision our scholarship fund making a lasting impact on the lives of individuals and communities. By supporting education, we aim to break cycles of poverty, promote social equality, and build a brighter future for generations to come.