Gagetown, New Brunswick, December 1, 2009 – Meritus University, a fully-online higher education provider based in Fredericton, New Brunswick donated $4,000 in support of the CFB Gagetown members who participated in the Canadian Forces Army Run held this past fall.
Meritus University Vice President and Registrar R. Alex Reed and Military Education Liaison Wendi Brown presented Lieutenant Colonel Parks, Commanding Officer Administration Branch, Lieutenant Nadia Worthington, Base Personnel Selection Officer, and Richard Hartnett, Personnel Support Programs Manager with the cheque at an afternoon ceremony held at CFB Gagetown.
One hundred and fifty military personnel from the Land Forces Atlantic Area (LFAA) participated in the run held on September 20,2009. The event attracted a number of professional runners as well as soldiers who had become amputees while in combat.
After losing his legs in Afghanistan, Ottawa’s Master Corporal Jody Mitic – who now walks on legs made of carbon fiber – left other runners in the dust when he finished the half marathon in just three hours.Rick Ball, a Toronto subway mechanic who lost his limbs in a motorcycle accident completed the Canadian Forces Army Run in just 1:20:45 – a world record time.
The Canadian Forces Army Run raises funds for the Canadian Forces Personnel Support programs (CFPSA) including the Canadian Forces Soldier On (CF Soldier On) program and the Military Families Fund.Since 2007, CF Soldier On has been providing supportive services to current and retired CF personnel with physical or mental disabilities,as well as to their dependents, to promote their active participation in physical activity, recreation or sports. The Military Families Fund was also founded in 2007 with generous contributions from Canadians,corporations and other organizations that continue to support Canadian Forces members and their families.
In addition to helping fund Canadian Forces initiatives, Meritus University also provides educational opportunities for CF members whose professional and personal obligations likely leave little time for educational advancement through traditional on-site learning. Meritus also recognizes and evaluates CF members’ prior learning and training,offering academic credit towards a Meritus degree program.
“Busy active soldiers find that continuing education is available through the unique platform offered at Meritus University. We have a growing number of active Canadian Forces personnel enrolled in both undergraduate and graduate degree programs,” said Military Education Liaison Wendi Brown.
About Meritus University
Meritus University is Canada’s new, fully online university, offering business and information technology undergraduate and master’s degree programs for students worldwide. It is approved by the New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour to offer these degree programs. Meritus University provides a global, mobile, innovative, and highly competitive educational format, giving students flexible options that fit today’s global workplace and suit today’s diverse lifestyle. For more information about Meritus University, visit meritusu.ca.