Helen Biltek is a former staff member of the Department of Physics-and a donor to the Faculty of Science, continuing to support student success today.
Many of our donors trace their roots back to the Faculty of Science as alumni of our programs. But for some, the decision to support science comes from a day-to-day understanding of the Faculty and the difference donations make in students' lives-from donors like Helen Biltek, a former staff member in the Department of Physics who is nearing three decades in her donor support.
"I am not a scientist and I didn't graduate from a university, but my fondest memories of my time on campus were dealing with students," said Biltek, who from 1971 to 1992 worked as an administrative assistant in the Department of Physics, after serving as secretary to the dean in the School of Business from 1964 to 1971.
Over those 28 years at the University of Alberta, her experience with students has given Helen a first-hand glimpse into the difference scholarships can make.
"When I retired in 1992, I decided to arrange for a scholarship, and managed to raise enough money to do so with help from family, friends, and a few faculty members-inputting the rest myself," said Biltek. "I've been donating ever since."
Support that looks beyond grades
When Helen established her scholarship, it was important to her to look beyond the grades of students and to support students who had another kind of impact on campus.
"I was concerned because some students who had a very high academic standing would get several scholarships while others got nothing," explained Biltek. "I wanted to support students entering third or fourth year in mathematics and physics who didn't get the high average-some of them contributed to the life of students because they headed up student associations."
That generosity took the form of the Helen Biltek Leadership Scholarship, which recognizes those achievements and continues to support students today. Biltek's story is just one example of how there are many ways to make a difference on campus-and that spirit is what she hopes to recognize in students with her scholarship:
"I hope I can assist students who qualify in ways other than their high marks-who help make campus a better place for their classmates."