Betty St. Onge: A firecracker in life leaves fierce legacy of support for students
How would you like to be remembered? It’s a question one thinks about from time to time. For those who touch many people’s lives, all you have to do is lightly scratch the surface and poignant stories, remembrances, and a sense of who they were, their true character and legacy of giving, come pouring out. Such as Betty St. Onge, a former U of R employee, who gifted her $250,000 estate in support of Journalism students at the U of R and spent decades advocating for and supporting students across campus.
Betty was one of the unseen pillars of the campus, someone whose work was so seamless and efficient that her impact often went unnoticed.— Danette Andrews, SCBScN Program Assistant, Regina Campus
“I first met Betty at the U of R’s School of Journalism in 1981 soon after the school had opened,” says Russell Hart, friend, colleague, and executor of Betty’s estate. “Betty was heavily involved in the School and the Faculty were like family. She was a real firecracker – energetic, lively, and determined – and she really loved her Journalism students.”
In death, as in life, Betty’s legacy continues to ensure students at the U of R are well supported. In May 2024, she endowed her estate to the University of Regina to create the Betty St. Onge Memorial Scholarship in Journalism. This endowment provides a full-ride scholarship for one student per year who is enrolled in the Faculty of Arts, School of Journalism, News Media and Communication.
“After Betty left her position as an administrator with the School, she continued to be a strong supporter of J-School students,” says Gennadiy Chernov, Department Head and Associate Professor, School of Journalism, News Media and Communications. “Her gift will support countless generations of students training to become future journalists and guardians of democracy.”
During her 30-year career at the University of Regina, Betty St. Onge worked diligently in various departments, including the Department of Psychology and the School of Journalism, where she spent more than a decade working as an administrator, supporting the close-knit group of Journalism students and faculty, before moving on to support the Student Awards and Financial Aid office (SAFA).
“Betty was an exceptional individual whose contributions to the campus community cannot be overstated,” says Danette Andrews, a former colleague and friend, who worked with Betty from 2004 to 2008. “She was a strong, opinionated, fierce, and confident woman who served as a tireless advocate for students, often in ways they did not even recognize.”
At every stage of her career, supporting students was Betty’s main focus. Prior to her retirement, she took on a leadership role as manager of the Student Awards and Financial Aid office, working with many units across the University to develop award policies and procedures, as well as with student loan programs and government agencies to secure better financial aid for students.
“Betty was one of the unseen pillars of the campus, someone whose work was so seamless and efficient that her impact often went unnoticed,” says Danette. “She convinced Student Loans to hold workshops on campus to help students fill out the loan applications (this was back when loan applications were only done on paper). She even took the time to hand-sign every scholarship letter and personally mailed them, believing that students deserved to receive good news in a tangible form. Despite the physical strain this caused her—sometimes taking days to complete and leaving her hand swollen—Betty never wavered in her dedication to ensuring students felt valued.”
People such as Betty, and the many gifts that she gave to the University – her time, compassion, talents, and support – reflect the culture and importance of community, service to others, and sense of belonging at the University of Regina. Values that live on in perpetuity.
Find out more about the Betty St. Onge Memorial Scholarship.
Banner photo credit: Dianne Kubick