The Office of Research Services has demonstrated what individual employees are capable of with a new book prize named after their office.

For the past year, Research Services staff have held nearly weekly draws for items like autumn mums and gift cards for popular shops. The proceeds went into a pot to be donated to the Campaign for a Bold New Brock.

The group raised $1,000 within that one year period. Soon they learned that with matching government funds, that money became $2,000. It will be used to establish the Office of Research Services Book Prize. The prize will be awarded to a student with a financial need who is entering the fourth year of an honours program with the intent to pursue further studies in a graduate program.

“We chose this path so that there would be a research component involved in the student’s studies,” said Carolyn Mullin, research communications manager. “We’re thrilled that our efforts are going to be doubled because of this program, and that they are going to provide financial assistance for a deserving student.”