Ralph Kirk and Frances Kuzsman, a married couple who both graduated from StFX in 1974, have teamed together to establish a life-changing bursary that will help local Antigonish area students pursue higher education at St. Francis Xavier University.
The two, who graduated from StFX 50 years ago, have established a $1.3 million endowment, the Ralph Kirk and Frances Kuzsman Bursary, that is designed to produce 10 annual bursaries of $5,000 each for students who have graduated from a high school in Antigonish town or county. The bursaries are renewable and are available during the winter term at StFX.
“The students of Antigonish town and county have a university of international standing at their doorstep. We hope our endowment and bursary will be of assistance to those who find pursuing a university education financially difficult. For those willing to work hard the StFX experience should be readily available and within their reach,” says Mr. Kirk, founding partner, Kirk and Teff LLP.
Mr. Kirk says his wife prompted him to apply for admission to StFX shortly after they met. “Despite being born and raised in Antigonish County, I had not considered attending university the logical choice,” he says.
“We joined the StFX community in 1971 and graduated together in 1974. Attending StFX opened opportunities for personal and professional growth that otherwise would not have occurred.
“I was afforded the opportunity to study under exceptional professors including Dr. J. Frank Harrison and the late Dr. John B. Stewart whose love of the political and legal systems inspired me to pursue a career in law.”
After graduating from Dalhousie Law School, Mr. Kirk opened a law practice, which continues to provide legal representation to injured and disabled workers and their families.
Ms. Kuzsman, a retired school psychologist, says she and her husband often talk about their years at StFX.
“I appreciated the local culture, the size of the campus, and the diversity and quality of the faculty. Coming from New York, these characteristics were important to me,” she says. “The psychology, sociology and education departments provided a pathway for a career in school psychology.”
The StFX experience should be available to all promising students who wish to further their education, she says. “Lack of funds should not prevent students from obtaining degrees from such a prestigious university. The endowment and bursary are our way of giving back.”
StFX Director of Development Wendy Langley says Mr. Kirk and Ms. Kuzsman’s significant gift will have a lasting impact on StFX students.
For many students, financial reality hits hard in the second term. Coming back after the Christmas break many realize their budgets may not stretch as far as they’d hoped.
“We know how difficult that second term can be for students. This will help lighten the burden in a very meaningful way.”
Ms. Langley sincerely thanked Mr. Kirk and Ms. Kuzsman for their generosity.
“They are passionate about being connected to Antigonish and helping support students in the community that want to get an education. Having both graduated from StFX, they know how life-changing the experience can be and they want to pay it forward.”
The Kirk Place Building on Main Street in Antigonish is named in honour of the original builder and owner Adam Kirk, to whom Ralph Kirk is a descendant. Francis Kuzsman’s father and namesake was a faculty member in the StFX Faculty of Education.
The Ralph Kirk and Frances Kuzsman Bursary is open to StFX students in all years who are graduates from a high school in Antigonish town or county and who demonstrate academic promise and financial need.
Ten bursaries of $5,000 will be given out beginning in the winter 2025 semester. Bursaries are renewable provided the student continues to meet bursary criteria.
Applications are open through the StFX Limited Bursary Program available HERE.
