News Release

University of Guelph launches major fundraising campaign

The University of Guelph today publicly launched its most ambitious fundraising campaign ever, with a target of $75 million. The gifts will be used to support three goals: to continue to attract the finest students; to continue to attract the most talented faculty and staff; and to provide students, faculty and staff with the best facilities in which to learn, conduct research, work and reside.

“This Campaign will enable Guelph to sustain its excellent reputation and to carry on our proud legacy of teaching and research that makes a difference in our world,” said President Mordechai Rozanski at a special luncheon that launched The Campaign for the University of Guelph. “The Campaign is about the Science of Life and the Art of Living and advances our vision, which seeks to make Guelph a global leader in a world of new knowledge and perpetual innovation.”

The launch was attended by members of the University’s “extended family” of alumni, friends and supporters that included Campaign Chair David Kassie, Chairman of CIBC World Markets; U of G’s Board of Governors Chair and campaign cabinet member Simon Cooper, President of the Ritz-Carleton Hotel Company; and U of G Chancellor, the Hon. Lincoln Alexander.

Kassie paid special tribute to University of Guelph students for their support of the Campaign. “I commend them for their initiative, their commitment, and their passion for the future. They are our next generation of leaders, and our hope for the future,” he said.

Today’s official launch of the Campaign brings public recognition to a fundraising effort that began with a million dollar gift from Peter and Sandra Hannam. To date, the Campaign has raised $53.5 million in gifts and pledges – more than 71 per cent of the target.

At the Campaign’s unveiling, a number of other significant gifts were announced:

• $2 million from George Jackowski, parent of U of G student Rachelle Jackowski and chairman, director and chief scientific officer of SYN-X Pharma Inc., to fund innovative research in life sciences and other new immunochemical technologies;

• $1.9 million from U of G students for the University’s athletics dome and for the establishment of an endowment to support students in need;

• $1.8 million from the Dairy Farmers of Ontario supporting numerous dairy research projects;

• $1 million from the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce toward the new Science Complex;

• $1 million from the Brock family for the establishment of a major new doctoral level scholarship. Bill Brock is Chair of the University’s Board of the Heritage Trust;

• $750,000 from the Scottish Studies Foundation toward the creation of a Chair in Scottish Studies, the first such chair in North America;

• $680,000 from U of G faculty, staff and retirees for a myriad of campus projects designed to assist students;

• $500,000 from the University of Guelph Alumni Association toward the new Classroom Complex;

• $450,000 from a fundraising event that created an endowment for the Lincoln Alexander Chancellor’s Scholarships -- dedicated to student accessibility and diversity;

• $250,000 from Novartis Animal Health in support of the Ontario Veterinary College’s Small Animal Clinic; and

• $100,000 from Simon Cooper toward the expansion and renovation of the teaching restaurant for the School of Hotel and Food Administration.

“We now look forward to many more announcements of substantial gifts in the months to come. I fully expect we will achieve our $75 million target in the next year, and perhaps exceed it,” Rozanski said. “I congratulate and thank all of our generous donors and volunteers for their tremendous support of this great University and its bright future.”

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For media questions, contact Prof. Rob McLaughlin, Vice President (Alumni Affairs and Development), ext. 3810, or Communications and Public Affairs, ext. 3864, or visit the campaign website.

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