Prime Minister announces contribution to the Captain Nichola K.S. Goddard Memorial Graduate Scholarship

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that Canada’s new government will be contributing $25,000 to the Captain Nichola K. S. Goddard Memorial Graduate Scholarship, at the University of Calgary.

“It is with great pleasure and honour that this contribution be made to such a deserving and admirable cause.  This scholarship will benefit many, and I hope it encourages others to donate,” said the Prime Minister.

“After meeting with the Goddard family and understanding their great loss, the idea of a scholarship program is undoubtedly a wonderful tribute to their daughter.  While their loss is tragic, something positive and beneficial has come out of this disheartening situation,” said Minister Prentice.

This scholarship program was created by her family to honour and celebrate her life.  Captain Goddard was killed in action on May 17th, 2006 while serving in Afghanistan.  She was a member of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, based in Shilo, Manitoba.

“The family thanks Prime Minister Stephen Harper as well as the many other Canadians who have made generous donations to this endowment,” said Tim Goddard, Captain Goddard’s father.

The scholarship is open to graduate students attending the University of Calgary who are citizens of Papua New Guinea, Captain Goddard’s place of birth, as well as citizens of Afghanistan, the place of her death.  The scholarship is also extended to Canada’s First Nations, Inuit or Métis people, with whom Captain Goddard spent many of her formative years.  The scholarship will be awarded annually; the first of which will commence in the fall of 2007.