Rawlco Radio, Rawlinson family donate $200,000 to U of R

Journalists and Indigenous entrepreneurs in Saskatchewan are benefiting from a pair of major donations.

Rawlco Radio is endowing the University of Regina’s School of Journalism with $100,000.

“The backbone to any media, especially radio, is to provide good accurate local information,” said Gordon Rawlinson, CEO of Rawlco Radio.

“That’s the motivation behind our gift, supporting the kind of quality education U of R’s School of Journalism is known for.”

University of Regina President Vianne Timmons expressed appreciation for Rawlco’s support.

“Upholding standards of ethical, balanced reporting, while fostering critical thinking skills in Canada’s future journalists will be key to sustaining healthy, vibrant and diverse communities within a democratic society,” Timmons said in an a news release.

The second donation comes from Gordon and Jill Rawlinson personally.  They’re providing $100,000 to establish the Rawlinson Fellow in Indigenous Entrepreneurship in the U of R’s Faculty of Business Administration.

With the Indigenous population increasing at a faster rate than the rest of the country, Rawlinson said that points out the need for more Indigenous entrepreneurs.

“I want the university to empower this country’s up-and-coming Indigenous business leaders by giving them a world-class business education right here in my home province.”

Acting Dean of Business David Senkow sees it as a chance to reduce education and employment disparity experienced by many Aboriginal Canadians.

“This forward-thinking gift allows our Levene School of Business to be at the forefront of job creation for Indigenous people by Indigenous people,” Senkow said.

Rawlco Radio owns and operates seven stations in Saskatchewan and Alberta, including 980 CJME and 650 CKOM.