Margaret Westerman’s journey from donating awards to receiving them

By Ahanya Tonse

The contributions of Margaret Westerman have been known to some and unknown to many. Not only was she a former teacher and a principal, but also worked for the community.

In 1990, Kwantlen Insider reported that Westerman made a 20-year commitment to donate $2,000 every year for the scholarship and bursary fund. 

In honour of her husband, Ernest Westerman, she established the Ernest Westerman Memorial Awards. Each year, $1,500 was presented to one male and one female, along with $1,300 to a student of either gender. The only requirement was that the student had to be from Surrey secondary school who are in financial need and academic achievement of GPA 3.0 or more (KPU Archives). 

Dr. Margaret Westerman presenting the first Ernest Westerman Scholarship Award in 1990. Photo by KPU Archives

In 1991, she started working night shifts for Surrey Crime Prevention. She worked in the morning and also did 10pm to 2am shifts (KPU Archives). In 1997, Westerman was named Surrey’s citizen of the year.

“The honorary doctorate degree is the highest form of recognition granted by KPU to recognize persons who are distinguished by their significant contributions and accomplishments and whose excellence reflects positively upon KPU” (KPU). Westerman received an honorary Doctor of Laws from Kwantlen Polytechnic University in 1998 (KPU Archives).

Photo by KPU Archives


Soroptimists is an organization that works towards helping women. In 1998, Westerman was awarded the Soroptimists Volunteer of the year (Soroptomist). She was also awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Medal.  

“The B.C. Principals’ & Vice-Principals’ Association is a voluntary professional association representing school leaders employed as Principals and Vice-Principals in B.C.’s public education system” (BCPVPA). Westerman received her last honour from BCPVPA on Mar. 3, 2000. She was given this for her contributions to B.C. schools and the education system (KPU Archives). 

Westerman was part of the Salvation Army, the Cancer society, the Surrey Branch of Canadian Hard of Hearing Association, and the Smoke Free Program and the Safe Riders Bicycle Rodeo (KPU Archives). 

She conducted anti-smoking classes for Kindergarten through Grade 12 students, speeches at wellness meetings for employees, school breast cancer clinics for staff and teachers, transportation for retired teachers and bike rodeos (KPU Archives, Newspaper).

In 2004, the Surrey/North Delta Leader article wrote about how the then 80-year-old Westerman worked to keep kids safe on the road. She gave detailed directions on how to wear bicycle helmets and which side of a bicycle to stand on. She would often bring homemade food for all the volunteers after the workshops. 

She also worked with the horticulture students at KPU. In 2005, the Leader reported that the students gave her a hand with her spring yard work. Westerman was fond of working with students and enjoyed her time being in the university or teaching.  

Whether it was just volunteering at a workshop or donating a huge amount to the university, Westerman did it all. She was an inspiration and here we celebrate her numerous contributions. 

References –

BC Principals’ & vice-principals’ association. BCPVPA. (n.d.). https://www.bcpvpa.org/#home-footer

Honorary degrees and awards policy – Kwantlen Polytechnic University. (n.d.-b). https://www.kpu.ca/sites/default/files/Policies/AD5%20Honorary%20Degrees%20and%20Awards%20Policy.pdf

Kwantlen Polytechnic University. KPU Archives.

ProQuest | Better Research, Better Learning, better insights. (n.d.-c). https://www.proquest.com/

Ruby award. Soroptimist International of Surrey/Delta. (n.d.). https://soroptimistsurrey-delta.org/awards/ruby/