Dedicated University of Lethbridge alumni Dr. Toby (BEd ’89, MEd ’04, LLD ‘25) and Dr. Bernadine (Bernie)(BEd ’88, LLD ’25) Boulet understand the ripple effect a single act of generosity can create. After more than 60 years of combined teaching experience, the retired educators are helping future teachers through a legacy gift supporting rural practicum students in the Faculty of Education.
“I think it’s really important to be able to give back to where we came from,” says Bernie. “Someone believed in us when we came through and it made a difference to us, so it’s crucial that we continue to support the students here now, because they’re future educators.”
Long-time donors, the Boulets have deepened their support for the Faculty of Education through the commitment of a life insurance gift that will one day support Paving Roads to Success, a campaign launched in 2024 to help third-year student teachers pursuing rural practicum placements.
“As graduates of the University of Lethbridge, the opportunity to be there for future students is important to us,” says Toby. “The life insurance gift was easy to do. We pay monthly, receive a tax benefit now and it allows us to leave money to the University of Lethbridge in the future.”
Planned giving options allow alumni to make a transformational impact in the future in a manageable way. For the Boulets, it was a chance to extend a legacy rooted in the values that shaped both their careers and their lives together.
“What any of us would like to do is leave a legacy and know what you did was important and helped people,” Bernie says.
The Boulets entered the national spotlight in 2018 when their son, Logan, was among those killed in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash. Logan had previously expressed a desire to be an organ donor, and the decision ultimately saved six lives and inspired nearly 150,000 donor registrations across Canada within weeks of the tragedy.
While not every selfless act will have the widespread impact of the Logan Boulet Effect, Bernie says it reinforced the importance of generosity and the far-reaching effect even one decision can have.
“As an organ donor, you make a huge impact. You don’t only impact the person who receives the organ, you also impact their family, their friends and their community,” she says. “By giving back to the University, we’re doing something similar. It’s not the same, of course, but it’s similar in the sense that you’re helping shape someone’s future, and that makes a difference for all the people they impact in their careers.”
Student teachers in rural placements face greater financial pressures due to additional travel and living expenses. The Paving Roads to Success campaign aims to ease that burden and support student teachers as they bring quality education to underserved communities across Alberta.
“The support a student receives can make life a little easier in the moment, but the impact reaches far beyond that,” Bernie says. “It affects their family, their future students and the communities they’ll one day serve.”
Toby says the campaign is designed to allow students to focus less on financial stress and more on preparing for their careers.
“When you’re in university, you’re supposed to be enjoying yourself, learning, working, preparing for the future,” Toby says. “There will be plenty of financial responsibilities later in life. If we can help some young people worry less about bills, that’s what we want to do.”
In turn, he can see those students become proud alumni who one day consider giving back themselves.
“I think it’s important for alumni to recognize how much a place — and more importantly the people in that place — gave to you,” he says. “They helped shape your career as a teacher, and you carried those ideas into the schools and communities where you worked. Later in your career, you may have an opportunity to think about how you can help the next generation, and supporting this campaign is one way to do that.”
As part of their advocacy and leadership of the initiative, the Boulets invite others to become involved and join them in supporting Paving Roads to Success. With the current matching opportunity in place, there is no better time — every dollar contributed up to $50,000 will be doubled — amplifying your impact at a crucial moment.
“It’s important that we take advantage of this opportunity right now, because even a small gift can make a difference,” Bernie says. “It can be a one-time gift, monthly gift, a life insurance policy — whatever makes sense for you. Just know that whatever you give will have an impact.”
Join the ripple effect — support Paving Roads to Success: