Media Releases
Apr 22, 2009
Yukon Energy Renames Scholarship in Honour of Former Board Member
Once again this year, Yukon Energy will award several scholarships to Yukoners studying at post-secondary institutions. This year, the Corporation has renamed one of its scholarships to honour a former member of Yukon Energy’s Board of Directors.
“Ed Chambers sat on our Board from 1991 to 2004, making him one of our longest serving board members,” Yukon Energy spokesperson Janet Patterson said. “He was a tremendous asset to Yukon Energy and when he passed away in the fall of 2007 we wanted to do something to recognize the contribution he made.”
Yukon Energy’s Trades Scholarship, established two years ago, has been re-named the Ed Chambers Memorial Trades Scholarship.
“We felt that since Mr. Chambers was a mechanic and heavy equipment operator by trade, offering a trades scholarship in his name would be a good way of honouring him,” Patterson said.
Yukon Energy provides several scholarships each year, in three categories:
1) General Scholarship: open to Yukon residents studying in the areas of engineering, business administration or management studies
2) Ed Chambers Memorial Trades Scholarship: open to Yukon residents studying in a trades pre-apprenticeship program or entry level trades program
3) First Nation Scholarships: for members of the First Nation of Nacho Nyak Dun and the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation studying at a post-secondary level
Application forms are available from local schools, admission offices, guidance counselors, the First Nation offices in Mayo and Dawson City, Yukon Energy or on-line.
The deadline to apply is June 30.
Attachment: Background information on Ed Chambers
Contact:
Janet Patterson
Communications, Yukon Energy Corporation
(867) 393-5333
janet.patterson@yec.yk.ca
Background Information – Edward Chambers
Ed Chambers was born in Whitehorse in 1935. He was the fifth child born to Susan Van Bibber (Dickson) and George Chambers.
Ed was a mechanic and heavy equipment operator by trade. He had a reputation as being one of the best loader operators in Whitehorse and built many basements and foundations, including the current Takhini Hot Springs pool near Whitehorse.
He operated his own business called Ed’s Construction (Yukon) Ltd. He taught his son, nephews, other relatives and friends how to operate and maintain heavy equipment and over the years many of his family and friends worked for him.
While operating his business in Whitehorse, Ed also started the company Champagne Services in Champagne. He and his wife Frances eventually retired to Champagne, although ‘retired’ is not a word that one would normally use when speaking of Ed; he was always busy with various carpentry, plumbing, electrical or construction projects. When asked what he was up to, Ed would reply that he was “just puttering”.
Ed and Frances had five children. The Chambers family lived for many years in downtown Whitehorse, where their door was always open to friends and family. If anyone had vehicle problems or was in need of a few dollars or a hot meal, they knew they could go to Ed’s house. The Chambers House is now listed as an historical building.
Ed served on Yukon Energy’s Board of Directors from 1991 to 2004. As such he was one of the Board’s longest serving members. He took his appointment very seriously and was always insightful in his thoughts. He devoted a lot of energy and effort to ensure Yukon Energy followed what he felt was the correct path.
Yukon Energy is extremely grateful to Ed Chambers for his years of service, and to his family for allowing us to name a scholarship in his honour.
