The largest single gift to the University and the largest individual donation to a Canadian business school has pushed the Campaign for Canada’s university well beyond its goal.
With the announcement on May 8 of a donation of $25 million from Ian Telfer, a uOttawa MBA graduate, a new era in management studies at the University of Ottawa was launched. Telfer, chairman of Goldcorp Inc., is a well-known Vancouver business and community leader. He has directed his gift to the School of Management. The faculty will be renamed the Telfer School of Management at the University of Ottawa in his honour. It is the first named faculty in the University’s history.
“I am proud to support the School of Management at the University of Ottawa, because I have experienced first-hand the positive impact the school can have on the lives of its alumni,” said Telfer. “Over 30 years ago, the School of Management made an investment in me – now it’s my turn to return the favour and make an investment in the school.”
Ian Telfer’s contribution is the most recent in several years of extraordinary donor support to the Campaign for Canada’s university. His support, added to that of Paul G. Desmarais, Shirley Greenberg, Stephen Jarislowsky, Sara and Zeev Vered, the J. W. McConnell Family Foundation, IBM, BMO Financial Group, Husky Energy, CIBC, RBC Financial Group and thousands of other alumni and organizations, has fuelled the most important fundraising effort in uOttawa’s history and by far the most successful ever in the National Capital Region.
“By investing in talented students, researchers and educators and in enhanced laboratories and modern buildings, donors are expressing their confidence in the University of Ottawa’s ability to help shape our country’s future,” said President Patry. “The Campaign’s remarkable success has raised the philanthropic bar at our university to new heights.”
With the announcement of this transformational gift, the Campaign for Canada’s university, which was publicly launched in May 2004, has exceeded all expectations. More than a year ahead of schedule, the University has surpassed its objective of $200 million.
“With the support of students, staff, faculty, friends and alumni and the unprecedented generosity of almost 30,000 donors, we have surpassed our goal in less than three years,” said David Mitchell, vice-president, University Relations, announcing that the Campaign for Canada’s university has raised “an incredible $226 million - and counting!”
This remarkable success has been led by Campaign co-chairs Chancellor Huguette Labelle, Guy Saint-Pierre, former chairman of the Royal Bank of Canada, and Gabriel Tsampalieros, executive chairman, The Second Cup Ltd. They have chaired a national campaign cabinet made up of exceptional leaders and public figures. At a reception celebrating the Campaign success, President Patry, also a member of the cabinet, was applauded by the co-chairs for his “inspirational leadership and for his commitment to moving the University forward.”
“As we approach the seventh and final year of Mr. Patry’s tenure as President, there will be a number of opportunities to celebrate his leadership. However, I can think of no better tribute to his remarkable efforts than this celebration of the largest and most successful fundraising initiative in our university’s history,” said David Mitchell, who was master of ceremonies at the reception.
Mitchell echoed the Campaign co-chairs and the president’s thanks to all contributors to the Campaign. In particular, he underscored the support of faculty and staff members, who have solidly contributed throughout the Campus Campaign. “If there’s one thing we’ve learned, it is that success leads to success, which leads to more success. The Campaign continues, and I know that we can count on faculty and staff to participate in our first-ever 48-hour Campus Campaign next week, with all funds raised going to financial aid for students.”
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