“You have no idea how much that money helped.”

Remembering a Seneca original

Karen Mason

THIS YEAR, SENECA MOURNED THE LOSS of one of our most steadfast supporters and biggest fans: Karen Mason.

Karen—who with her wonderful husband, Ross, has supported countless Computer Studies students through their endowment—was one of Seneca’s first ever employees. Years later, she returned to Seneca as a mature student and was voted her class valedictorian.

While in high school, Karen experienced first-hand the positive impact of receiving financial aid toward her studies. Her mother had died, and Karen was living with her sister. A small bursary from the City of Toronto helped to cover her transportation to and from school. This stuck with Karen and inspired her and Ross to give to Seneca and other charities.

Karen worked in accounts payable at Seneca for nine years from late 60s through the mid-70s before returning as a student in 1985 to study computers. After leaving Seneca, she was, in her words, “prodded” by a workplace colleague who claimed that women over 40 couldn’t learn computers. Well, Karen was having none of that. She found that Seneca offered introductory computer courses through the Faculty of Continuing Education and Training and signed up. Karen graduated with a diploma and represented her class as valedictorian.

While she was initially apprehensive about being older than many of her classmates, Karen’s warmth and natural curiosity shone through, and she became a beloved member of her cohort. That curiosity would stay with her throughout her life, as she and Ross explored the world together, always remembering to send postcards and photos from their latest adventures.

In 2011, Karen and Ross were recognized with the Senecans of Distinction Award, which celebrates Seneca’s outstanding alumni, donors and volunteers. Over the years, they always took the time to meet the recipients of their bursary at Seneca Awards receptions and luncheons—including this summer, when Ross met with the 2017 recipients. Always, the conversation with students was focused on their classes, their experiences and plans for the future. No doubt, Karen saw herself in many of them and remembered how that extra support helped her when she was struggling to make ends meet.

“You have no idea how much that money helped,” Karen said in the 2011 edition of RED. “If that helped me get a little further ahead in school, maybe a little bit more will help others.”

Thank you, Karen.