Because of You - Donor Report 2011
 Memories of "Malibu's Friend"
A kind heart and a passion for cats and cars | 
| | BECAUSE OF YOU, memories of loved ones who have passed live on in memorial scholarships like the one created to honour Tammy Wegmann's life. | “Malibu’s Friend” may sound like an odd name for a scholarship but it’s the perfect name for an award to honour the memory of Tammy Wegmann. Tammy was an Information Technology student at SAIT and an extraordinary young woman. She had a passion for computers and liked to tinker with all things mechanical, particularly her prized vintage Chevy Malibu she was restoring with her boyfriend. She also loved animals, particularly her pampered cat named, appropriately enough, “Malibu.” Tammy was also an accomplished athlete, excelling in soccer and basketball. Above all she loved people, had a kind heart and always put the feelings and needs of others before her own. Tragically, Tammy died in her sleep in 1999. She was just 26 years old. Tammy’s mom Irene says it made sense to create a scholarship at SAIT because the school meant so much to both her and her daughter. Irene Wegmann was also a SAIT student, one of the few women to graduate with a diploma in Computer Technology back in 1970. Irene and her sister Connie McEgan made a joint decision to set up the memorial scholarship and they were both in on the naming. “The idea came up during our first meeting with SAIT to discuss the arrangements. When the name was suggested I looked at Connie and she looked at me and we both smiled. Malibu’s Friend just seemed so right. Tammy would have loved it.” Irene and Connie decided to contribute equally to establish the fund. “We wanted to make sure that, every year the recipient would receive at least $500. We were pleased to learn that it didn't take as much money as we thought to make that happen.” Irene says it was important to her to help set the criteria for the scholarship and she was pleased it could go to a female student based on financial need. “I know a lot of students can be at the risk of dropping out and that a small sum of money can make the different between leaving school early and finishing. I wanted to make sure it was substantial enough to make a difference and that it would go to a student who really needs it.
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