Seneca College - RED 2017 - 32

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

32 RED

2017

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.

You have no idea
how much that
money helped.

PHOTO: STEVE FROST

Karen Mason played
an extraordinary role in
Seneca's first 50 years
as an employee, student
and donor.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Seneca College - RED 2017