A $75,000 pledge from Integris Credit Union will help the University of Northern British Columbia support its student athletes in their academic and sporting endeavours. The funding--the largest single corporate donation to the Timberwolves ever--is to be allocated over the next three years, and will provide a recruiting and retention incentive for athletics staff looking to bring high-calibre athletes to the T-wolves. It also helps UNBC continue to transition into Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS), the highest level of amateur sport competition in the country.

“Integris is thrilled to make another important investment in our University,” says Dan Wingham, Manager of Strategic Partnerships and Business Development at Integris Credit Union. "As the Timberwolves compete at this level, our investment enables UNBC to address their scholarship requirements as well as provide funds to 'Feed the T-Wolves.' This ensures UNBC is better able to recruit top talent to the region and continue to provide exciting experiences for T-Wolves fans. This partnership is a remarkable opportunity for Integris Members and Staff to make a difference in the lives of student athletes and our T-Wolves fans here in the region – Go T-Wolves!”

The funds will be used in a variety of ways:

• UNBC will create four Integris-named awards valued at $2,000 each for student athletes. This totals $8,000 in student awards each year for three years. The awards will directly assist with recruitment and retention efforts.
• Funding will be dedicated to Exhibition meal money for the Timberwolves.
• Financial support will also be allocated towards additional, unnamed awards for student athlete tuition.

“This pledge from Integris allows our coaches to offer sustainable awards for the next three years and aid us in funding our exhibition expenses,” says Loralyn Murdoch, UNBC’s Athletics Director.  “We strive to recruit and retain the best student athletes and Integris’ contribution will definitely help us. The commitment by the student athletes to play at this level is tremendous and they also value the support.”

“Great teams are supported by great communities and we are pleased to acknowledge that this is the largest single corporate donation to the Timberwolves to date,” notes Katherine Scouten, UNBC’s Development Manager, “We are very grateful, Integris has made a tremendous investment in our students and the teams’ future.”

Integris Credit Union is based in the Central Interior of British Columbia with assets under administration exceeding $1 billion. In the past five years, Integris has been recognized in its five communities for Service Excellence (Chamber of Commerce, 2009 & 2013), Employer Excellence (BC Business Magazine, 2009), Community Impact (Chamber of Commerce, 2011), Corporate Citizen of the Year (Chamber of Commerce, 2012) and Business of the Year (2013).  Through its seven branches, four Insurance offices and five Financial Planning offices, Integris offers personal and commercial banking and a full range of insurance and wealth management services (including Group Health Benefits for businesses) to Members and clients throughout the Central Interior of British Columbia.

About one in five UNBC students receives a scholarship, bursary, or other award. Donors who support annual awards for students help UNBC attract top students, grow its quality of educational and research offerings, and make a UNBC education more accessible to students facing financial barriers. To learn more about making a gift to UNBC, visit www.unbc.ca/giving