RUSH Frontman Honored By Scholarship Endowment

According to Decanter.com, bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee of Canadian rock legends RUSH has had a wine scholarship created in his name.

The honor has been conferred by his fellow directors at the charitable foundation Grapes For Humanity.

The board voted unanimously to create a scholarship in his name, in perpetuity, for a student of winemaking at Niagara College in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada.

Grapes For Humanity Canada has committed $26,500 to establish the Geddy Lee endowed scholarship, which will be matched by the provincial government's Ontario Trust For Student Support program.

The income will be used to provide an annual scholarship for a student in the second year of Niagara College's Wine And Viticulture Technician program who intends to pursue a career path in winemaking after graduation.

"Niagara College is thrilled that Grapes For Humanity Canada is making this significant investment to support student learning and success, and the wine industry," said Sean Kennedy, CEO of the Niagara College Foundation and acting vice-president, Academic.

"We are very pleased to support students in winemaking in recognition of this Canadian icon's magnificent contribution as a director of our charitable foundation," said Tony Aspler, president & CEO of Grapes For Humanity Canada. "We hope that the annual recipient of this scholarship will bring to his or her calling the same dedication to quality and to public spiritedness as Geddy Lee has brought to Canada's musical legacy."

The Grapes For Humanity gift is part of the Building Futures Campaign, which supports student learning and success through new facilities, equipment and learning resources, applied research, and scholarships and bursaries.

Niagara College offers more than 100 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs at campuses in Welland, Niagara-on-the-Lake and Niagara Falls. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, horticulture and aesthetics. For more information, visit NiagaraCollege.ca.

Geddy Lee is an award-winning musician best known as the lead vocalist, bassist and keyboardist for the legendary Canadian rock group RUSH. Mr. Lee has played a crucial role in the success of Grapes For Humanity since its inception in 2001 and continues as a Board member today. He launched the Grapes Under Pressure Rock Memorabilia Charity Auction. The Geddy Lee award is established in recognition of Mr. Lee's outstanding contribution to the organization, and to the dedication to quality and public spiritedness that he brings to Canada's musical legacy.