September 20, 2005 Source: University of British Columbia:
http://www.publicaffairs.ubc.ca/media/releases/2005/mr-05-113.html Real Estate Leader Bob Lee and UBC Announce a $15 Million Boost to Graduate Programs at the Sauder School of Business The University of British Columbia today announces a major gift of $15 million in support of graduate education at the Sauder School of Business. The commitment is led by an initial gift of $5 million from real estate leader and former UBC Board member and Chancellor, Dr. Robert H. Lee. In recognition of his long-term dedication to the university, UBC will endow $5 million to match his gift. Dr. Lee and UBC have also established a joint commitment to secure an additional $5 million in support of graduate programs at the Sauder School of Business. “My experiences as a student in the Faculty of Commerce laid the foundation for my business career,” says Lee. “I hope this gift will provide graduate students in business with the tools they need to contribute to society and the economic prosperity of British Columbia and Canada.” Dr. Lee’s gift and commitment to the school will significantly enhance graduate programs at the Sauder School of Business, through the development of educational facilities, technological improvements, creation of curriculum in emerging areas of business education, and marketing initiatives in Canada and abroad. “Bob Lee’s generous support reflects his long commitment to the growth and success of UBC and British Columbia,” says UBC President Martha Piper. “His gift will increase the growth of business education excellence at this university, and provide future graduates with the tools they need to foster meaningful advances in all areas of society.” “Bob Lee’s gift to the graduate programs will propel the Sauder School of Business to a new level of global leadership in business education,” says Daniel Muzyka, Dean of the Sauder School of Business. “It will enhance our capacity to deliver the innovative management education that inspires our graduates to think entrepreneurially, connect globally and conduct business with integrity as they contribute to economic development in B.C., Canada and around the world.” Lee is founder and Chairman of the Prospero Group, and is known for his leadership in west coast real estate investment. A long-time patron of UBC, Lee has served as member of the UBC Board of Governors, as Chancellor of UBC, and Chair of the UBC Foundation. He was a key founder of UBC Properties Trust. The Sauder School of Business at UBC is Canada’s leading academic business school, recognized globally for its contributions to the transformation of business practices, innovative research and teaching. Sauder graduate programs include the MBA (full and part-time), International MBA, PhD, MSc, MM (Master of Management) and MHA (Master of Health Administration in conjunction with the Faculty of Medicine). -30- Biography of Dr. Robert H. Lee Long-term vision, entrepreneurial drive and a strong dedication to community -- these are hallmarks of Bob Lee’s life and career. Born and raised in Vancouver, Dr. Lee graduated from UBC in 1956 with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. Over the years, he built a formidable real estate business on the west coast with Wall Financial Corporation, eventually forming the highly successful Prospero Group. Lee’s foresight in fostering business ties to Asia at a time when few others recognized its future influence sparked major Asian investments in British Columbia and marked a significant development in the province’s economic growth during the 1970s and ’80s. He built a strong real estate presence on the west coast of Canada and the U.S., with extensive commercial real estate holdings on the Lower Mainland. A long-time patron of UBC, Lee has served as member of the UBC Board of Governors (1984), as Chancellor of UBC (1993) and Chair of the UBC Foundation. One of his most notable contributions includes his role as a key founder of UBC Properties Trust in 1987. He saw land as a tremendous asset that could generate lasting revenue and strongly encouraged UBC to establish long-term endowment wealth by monetizing its land assets. The first residential project, the 28-acre community of Hampton Place, produced $80 million for the UBC Endowment. Lee’s philanthropy is evident in his remarkable service to the community. He is a Director of The Vancouver Foundation, and his many past directorships include the Vancouver Port Corporation, the Vancouver Board of Trade and B.C. Paraplegic Foundation. He has also served on many corporate boards, including BC Tel, Crown Life Insurance and Wall Financial, and is a Trustee of the Fraser Institute. Lee has received an Honorary Doctorate of Law from UBC, the Order of British Columbia and the Order of Canada. Bob Lee’s commitment to business education is shared by his wife Lily (BSc ’56), his four children -- Carol (BCom ’81), Derek (BCom ’82), Leslie (BCom ’84), Graham (BCom ’87, Dip (ULE) ’90) -- and their spouses Angela (BA ’88), Carlota (BCom ’82) and John Murphy (BA ’83). All of the members of his family are proud graduates of UBC. - - - Contact Leanna Yip Sauder School of Business Tel: 604.822.0229 Cell: 604.616.0400 E-mail: leanna.yip@sauder.ubc.ca Lorraine Chan UBC Public Affairs Tel: 604.822.3213 Cell: 604.828.3867 E-mail: lorraine.chan@ubc.ca -
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