April 26, 2006 Source: :
http://www.ucalgary.ca/news/april06/fundraising.html Giving to U of C hits record $70.5 million University buoyed by 12,000 donations in 2005/06, including gifts from
Torontonian Seymour Schulich, alumni and Oil Patch The University of Calgary received more donations than ever this year and set a new fundraising record of $70.5 million in cash and pledges. Of this amount, $30 million was raised for student scholarships and bursaries. Next year’s goal is $80 million, and includes a unique health fundraising partnership entitled Reach!, between the U of C and the Calgary Health Region, with a goal of $300 million. The U of C has seen what is believed to be the largest fundraising percentage increase of any university in Canada: a 337 per cent increase in cash and pledges over five years. For the fiscal year ending March 2006, donations to U of C increased by 12 per cent over the previous year. Some 12,000 individuals, foundations and corporations contributed toward the total, or 1,700 more donors than five years ago. "It is gratifying to see that thousands of individuals in Calgary and abroad have contributed to the university and shown confidence in our future," says Harvey Weingarten, U of C president and vice-chancellor. "We are particularly pleased by the increases in the past year in financial support for students." The largest single donation – $25 million – came from Seymour Schulich; it was matched by another $25 million from the province and provides for a number of initiatives in the Schulich School of Engineering. (See page 2.) "We have also made significant gains in our efforts to attract world-class faculty members," Weingarten says. Hundreds of new professors will be hired over the next three years. "We have embarked on our largest capital expansion ever, and made impressive progress in enhancing the experience enjoyed by our students. None of this would have happened without the vision and exceptional moral and financial support that we enjoy from our donors, alumni and community leaders." Dance student Lisa Hering is one of thousands of U of C students who benefit from scholarships and bursaries. She won the $2,000 Vicki Adams Willis Entrance Award, named for U of C alumna and the founder of Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, and financed by donor John Lefebvre. "I was excited and extremely flattered that the faculty looked at the class and picked me," Hering says of the scholarship. "It was a significant amount of money. I was working my first semester in retail and I was on my feet, which was hard after a full day of dancing. The scholarship allowed me, in my second semester, to not have to work." Gary Durbeniuk, the U of C’s chief development officer, points to a number of reasons for the increase in giving. "There is a growing groundswell of support for the U of C within Calgary and beyond," Durbeniuk says. "The university is 40 years old, and alumni are coming of age and sharing their good fortune. Million dollar-plus donations and bequests are starting to come from grateful alumni. The Oil Patch is also profiting, and investing back into U of C for the future." 2005/06 highlights Largest Gift in U of C history: $25 million from Torontonian Seymour Schulich
This fiscal year saw the largest gift in the University’s history: $25 million from Torontonian Seymour Schulich for 102 scholarships, three academic chairs, and discretionary funds for the Schulich School of Engineering. This year the first 34 scholarships were given out, and 54 recipients have already been chosen for next September. Major Donations for Fine Arts
The Faculty of Fine Arts received two major gifts from alumni: $1.35 million from alumnus John Lefebvre and another $1 million-plus donation from a donor to be announced on May 8th. $10,000 Scholarships from Talisman Energy Ltd.
Led by Jim Buckee, Talisman Energy established generous $10,000 scholarships for students in Engineering, Science, Business, Law, and Environmental Design. In the four latter faculties, these are the highest valued scholarships. New Bursaries for Social Work
W. Brett Wilson donated $50,000 to establish two bursaries for social work students named for his mother, Doreen F. Wilson, a social worker. He made the gift in partnership with Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse. New Entrance Awards
Direct Energy Business Services was the lead sponsor of the Academic Merit Entrance Awards, donating $500,000 for entering students with marks more than 80 per cent. Bequests Kept Giving
The estate of Ursula Zandmer distributed $370,000 for student scholarships, research start-up funds for new professors, and laboratory refurbishment in the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering. The Zandmer bequest, at $6.5 million, is the biggest ever to U of C. The estate of Murray W. Waterman provided the first Entrance Award in Architecture ($10,000) in the Faculty of Environmental Design. EnCana donated $1 million to the Institute for Sustainable Energy, Environment and Economy. The University of Calgary Alumni Association and the Students’ Association
These two important groups were the lead donors for the first Take Your Place renovation launched April 12. This is one of 40 campus spaces being renovated to commemorate the university’s 40th Anniversary. For more information, or to arrange an interview with U of C president Harvey Weingarten or Chief Development Officer Gary Durbeniuk, contact: Janice Paskey, (403) 210-9882 or cell: 803-4647. Scholarship students Lisa Hering (dancer), medical student Scott Jarvis, and donor W. Brett Wilson are also available for interviews. ___________ Gregory Harris
Media Relations
External Relations
Administration Building, A113
University of Calgary
2500 University Drive N.W.
T2N 1N4
Phone (403) 220-3506
Cell (403) 540-7306
Fax (403) 282-8413
Email gharris@ucalgary.ca
| 