Tom Goodchild Memorial Endowment Fund

Tom Goodchild was the founding president of the Sawmill Restaurant Group who passed away suddenly in June of 2022 and will be dearly missed by family, friends, team members and the province of Alberta. At the age of 14 Tom was drawn to the pace and opportunity of the hospitality and foodservice industry beginning as a busboy at the King Edward Hotel. A graduate of NAIT’s hospitality management program Tom possessed an authentic servant quotient coupled with an entrepreneurial passion that would enable him to amass twenty-two restaurants in his 47-year career. He was respected and loved by many and equally known for his generous community spirit, donating to many deserving charities including NAIT’s Department of Culinary Arts and Professional Food Studies. It was felt by family members and his Sawmill Restaurant Group brand that a memorial bursary to help youth and their pursuit of higher hospitality education was a fitting way to personify Tom and his lifelong commitment to the restaurant industry.

Criteria for Bursary Selection: Available to students enrolled in the Culinary Arts Program. Awarded on the basis of demonstrated financial need and satisfactory academic achievement.

Students must submit an application to be considered for this award.