Opportunity through generosity
by Linda Hein
One of the values underpinning UniSA is that study should be a viable option for everyone – not just those with the necessary financial means.
Through the generous support of private, Commonwealth and industry scholarships and grants, UniSA is able to make the dream of tertiary education a reality for thousands of students each year.
Among the many generous private donors is the Pank family, which supports no fewer than seven of the University’s major scholarship opportunities.
The late Dr David Pank AM was an optometrist who later became director, managing director and chairman of Laubman and Pank. He was a significant contributor to the business community in South Australia and played a critical role in establishing the SA College of Advanced Education, UniSA’s largest antecedent institution.
Together with his late wife Margaret (Peg), his passion for training and education led to the creation of the highly regarded Pank Prize for Entrepreneurial Activity, the Pank UniSA-PAL Scholarship and the Margaret E Pank Nursing Scholarship through the Pank Family Trust.
The Pank family continues to sponsor these scholarships – but has added four new awards in 2008 to help students from the northern suburbs and for experiential learning in nursing.
In recognition of the Pank family’s important contribution and ongoing support, UniSA recently named the David Pank Building on its City West campus in Dr Pank’s honour. The new name is also a nod to the building’s earlier life as the Laubman and Pank Building.
David and Peg Pank’s four children, and several of their grandchildren, gathered to celebrate the occasion.
"The family were thrilled with the effort UniSA went to for the naming of the David Pank Building," daughter Susan Hunt said.
"We were all made to feel so special and I know Dad would have been humbled by the very generous gesture, as indeed we were.
"Our father’s support of UniSA was an important part of his life and something of which he was very proud. The family are pleased to continue and expand on his generosity, particularly for disadvantaged students who otherwise may not have the opportunity to attend uni."
UniSA’s senior development officer of fundraising and special projects, Helen Black, said the contributions of donors like the Pank family are sincerely appreciated and of tremendous value to the education of many students.
"The Pank family have been strong and ongoing supporters of the University for some time and particularly supportive of the educationally disadvantaged areas in northern Adelaide," Black said.
"Their generosity and kindness has made such an important and appreciated contribution where it is really needed and has allowed recipients to literally change their lives as a result."
The Pank family also supports events at the UniSA City East campus for students involved in the State Government’s Spirit of Science initiative.
To find out how to access one the many scholarships or grants available through UniSA, visit the UniSA Scholaships website