Percy A. Lanham was a retired educator, having graduated from Normal School in 1936 with a Certificate of Education. He graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in 1934 and a Master of Arts in 1935. He taught in a number of rural schools before becoming a vice-principal and then principal in the Brooklands School District from 1941 to 1955. He then taught junior high school at several institutions in Winnipeg, including Laura Secord (1955-1960), Gordon Bell (1960-1969) and General Wolfe (1969-1975). He was very active in coaching and organizing sports programs both within and outside of the school system. He is particularly noted for his efforts in track and field and speed skating.
Percy was very appreciative of the financial assistance he received from the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire during his post-secondary education. Without their support, he would have been unable to continue his education. Percy felt it was his privilege to be in a position to help other students in financial need. Accordingly, he established The Percy Lanham Foundation Inc., a registered charitable foundation, to provide bursaries to qualifying candidates.
The board of the Foundation shall in each year award one or more bursaries at each of the six main post-secondary institutions in the province, namely the University of Manitoba, the University of Winnipeg, Brandon University, Red River Community College, Assiniboine Community College, and University College of the North. The number and size of the bursaries shall be at the sole discretion of the board of the Foundation in keeping with the funds available. It is intended that the bursaries shall be a contribution to the tuition, books and supply costs, and possibly living expenses, of the recipients.
The board shall judge the applicants based upon financial need, scholastic results, extra-curricular activities, and such other criteria as the board considers meritorious. The successful candidates shall be entirely at the board’s discretion.
Applications should be sent to the Foundation together with transcript before July 15th each year, prior to the upcoming school year. Applications will be assessed in late July.
