VANCOUVER -鈥� A renowned economist has donated $250,000 to UBC鈥檚 faculty of Forestry to fund awards for aboriginal students.
Peter Pearse, a former University of B.C. resource economist, said he wanted to give back to the university that set him on his way so many years ago.
鈥淚 feel very indebted to UBC for giving me my start, and I also feel very much indebted to Canada,鈥� Pearse said, in a statement on Tuesday.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 think there are many countries where a kid from the hinterlands 鈥� I grew up on a farm near Vernon 鈥� can end up with a world-class education. I want to give others in our society the kind of opportunities I had.鈥�
Now retired, Pearse is an occasional consultant on natural resource and environmental issues. He has won numerous awards and distinctions, including the Order of Canada.
