DARE TO CAMPAIGN SURPASSES GOAL CAMPAIGN NEWSLETTER Winter 2012
Volume 1 • Issue 1
IN THIS ISSUE 1
Campaign Update
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Small Gifts Make Big Impact
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Daring Gift in Honour of a Daring Spirit
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Campaign Contacts
General Rick Hillier (Ret’d), Memorial’s campaign chair and former chancellor, provides a campaign update in August 2012 at R. Gushue Hall on Memorial’s St. John’s Campus. Dr. Gary Kachanoski, president and vice-chancellor, sits front row left. Photo by Crockwell Photography.
DARE TO: CAMPAIGN UPDATE Dare To: The Campaign for Memorial University is all about people. As the largest fundraising campaign in the university’s history, Dare To is about securing funding for students and faculty, and ensuring the physical infrastructure they rely on is renewed. The campaign publicly launched in November 2011 with a $50 million goal. This past August, Memorial announced that the goal had been far exceeded. More than $62.8 million had been committed to the university in support of this campaign from alumni, friends, corporations and foundations as of August 2012. The overwhelming response to the Dare To campaign will enable Memorial to create substantially higher numbers of student scholarships, bursaries and awards
now, and into the future. To date, 1,173 students have directly benefited from Dare To, with thousands more to receive funding support in future years.
We wish to encourage the top students and academics - locally, nationally and internationally - to recognize that our university is where they belong.
In addition to creating support for students, eight new research chairs and two new postdoctoral fellowships have been established, as well as significant funding for research in a variety of key areas. (continued on p.2 )
DARE TO SURPASSES $50 MILLION GOAL CAMPAIGN TO CLOSE IN EARLY 2013
CAMPAIGN RAISES $62.8 MILLION TO-DATE (continued from p.1 ) Donations have also enabled new and renovated labs and research centres. “Through this campaign, and through the longer-term vision we have for Memorial, we wish to encourage top students and academics – locally, nationally and internationally – to recognize that our university, and our province, is where they belong,” said Dr. Gary Kachanoski, president and vicechancellor, Memorial University. Strong support for the campaign has been seen from a broad network of individuals, foundations and corporations, as well as from the team of people who spend a significant portion of their personal and professional time on campus. From the very beginning stages of the campaign, Dare To was quickly supported by Memorial’s faculty, students and staff, who have contributed over $1.2 million.
new Craig L. Dobbin Genetics Research Centre.
The impact of these investments will be seen for many years to come, both through student success and through research breakthroughs.
As a direct result of Dare To, Memorial will be better able to support the people who make the university the diverse teaching and learning facility it is today.
As part of a $250 million overall redevelopment initiative, the university is planning significant expansion, refurbishment and renovations across its campuses, and has already received over $200 million from the provincial and federal governments for infrastructure renewal. Projects include the St. John’s and Grenfell Campus student residences, the Grenfell Campus academic building, and the Faculty of Medicine expansion in St. John’s, including the creation of the
Campaign activity continues, with a final update to be announced in 2013. For more information, please visit dareto.ca
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General Rick Hillier (Ret’d), Memorial’s campaign chair and former chancellor, toasts to the campaign success at an event in August 2012. Photo by Crockwell Photography.
CAMPAIGN GOAL:
$50 MILLION CAMPAIGN TOTAL (AUGUST 2012 UPDATE):
$62.8 MILLION
EVERY GIFT MAKES A DIFFERENCE MEMORIAL’S FACULTY, STAFF, STUDENTS AND RETIREES SUPPORT THE DARE TO CAMPAIGN
APRIL ARNOTT MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT: JONATHAN CHATMAN
Memorial University’s faculty,
students, staff, regents and retirees have donated an impressive $1.2 million to the Dare To campaign to-date. Dare To has been, and continues to be, warmly embraced by Memorial’s internal stakeholders, the Memorial “family,” who are enthusiastically supporting the campaign. Support for many student scholarships, bursaries, awards, and student activities has already been established by the Memorial family, with many more student support funds in development. One such scholarship is the April Arnott Memorial Scholarship, initiated by April’s mother, Hilda Arnott, who works in Memorial’s Department of Human Resources. The Arnott scholarship was developed and funded primarily by Hilda’s co-workers in memory of her daughter, April, who passed away in November, 2000. This scholarship was created to celebrate April’s life and to honour her memory. April had been a student at the Marine Institute for only two months when she died at the age of 19, yet she left a lasting impression. Instructors and staff at the Marine Institute recall April’s love of nature and her interest in environmental issues, as well as the relationship April had with her fellow students. April was a beloved classmate who helped her fellow students with both academic projects and extracurricular activities. The April Arnott Memorial Scholarship is based partly on students’ academic standing and, in keeping with April’s
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generous spirit, also considers the applicants’ contributions to the wellbeing and personal development of their fellow students. The scholarship is awarded annually during the Marine Institute’s presentation of scholarships and awards “Because of this scholarship, I was able to take a semester without having to rely on student loans,” said Jonathan Chatman, the 2011 recipient of the April Arnott Memorial Scholarship. “The scholarship made all of the difference to me that semester - not only in terms of the financial aspect of it, but also in seeing that my hard work in the program had paid off. I am very thankful to the Marine Institute and to my classmates for giving me the opportunity, and, most importantly, I am appreciative of the donors who supported a scholarship that meant so much me.” As a direct result of the hard work and dedication of Memorial’s campaign volunteers and staff, and the overwhelming generosity of the Memorial family, increased student financial support will provide for Memorial’s students for many years to come. Because of this legacy created in April’s name, her generous spirit is able to live on at the Marine Institute, and in the lives of those who receive this scholarship. Dr. Penny Blackwood, director, alumni affairs and development, expresses her gratitude to Memorial‘s many volunteers: “Since the campaign began, we have seen tremendous support from volunteers,” said Blackwood. “Our
The recipient of the April Arnott Memorial Scholarship for 2011 was Jonathan Chatman, a Marine Environmental student from Canning's Cove, NL. Pictured here on a 2012 environmental trip to Greenland. Submitted photo.
volunteers have been spreading the word that each and every gift is important. The collective power of smaller gifts is helping to make a significant difference in our students’ lives.” Together, by demonstrating the university community’s support for this campaign, the Memorial family has been the foundation of the campaign’s success. This internal support has served to encourage external communities to become a part of something daring.
A DARING GIFT IN HONOUR OF A DARING SPIRIT
DOBBIN INVESTMENT IN MEDICAL RESEARCH, RESEARCHERS AND STUDENTS
MAJOR GIFT FOR FACULTY OF MEDICINE A businessman and philanthropist, the late Dr. Craig L. Dobbin sought opportunity where others may have only seen obstacles. He was a pioneer in business in Newfoundland and Labrador and beyond.
Dobbin was also a proud and generous Newfoundlander. In this spirit, a major gift from philanthropist Elaine Dobbin to Memorial University’s Faculty of Medicine was announced on May 23, 2012. This significant donation was made in support of medical education and genetics research at Memorial. It was made in memory of Mrs. Dobbin’s late husband, Dr. Craig L. Dobbin.
An artist’s sketch of the Faculty of Medicine expansion, which will include space for the Craig L. Dobbin Genetics Research Centre. From left: Dr. Gary Kachanoski, president and vice-chancellor, Mrs. Elaine Dobbin, Mr. Harry Steele, and Dr. James Rourke, dean, Faculty of Medicine.
In recognition of this gift, Dr. Gary Kachanoski, Memorial’s president and vice-chancellor, announced that the university’s new centre for interdisciplinary research in human genetics will be named the Craig L. Dobbin Genetics Research Centre. This centre is scheduled to open in Memorial’s expanded Faculty of Medicine in 2014. The gift, primarily endowment, will support undergraduate student bursaries, graduate student scholarships, two endowed post-doctoral fellowships (continued on p.5 )
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Dare to dream...We are on the cusp of unparalleled growth in this province...You can make your future here. You're in charge. - Dr. Craig L. Dobbin, Memorial Convocation Address, 2000
CENTRE NAMED IN DOBBIN’S HONOUR (continued from p.4 ) and a research fund in the Faculty of Medicine.
Memorial University’s new genetics research centre, slated to open in Memorial’s expanded Faculty of Medicine in 2014, will be named in honour of Dr. Craig L. Dobbin (pictured left).
“It is through the generosity of philanthropists like Elaine Dobbin that we are able to develop the facilities and resources required to attract the highly qualified people we need to drive innovative research and development in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Dr. Kachanoski. “This gift is an investment in our future, and will help to position Memorial – and this province – as a global destination of choice for talented academics, students and staff. I thank Mrs. Dobbin for her generosity.” Dr. James Rourke, dean of medicine, said Mrs. Dobbin’s important commitment to the Faculty of Medicine will support scholarships and genetics research, particularly in the areas of autism and pulmonary fibrosis. “Her gift will fund the people who do the thinking and the work to convert our new building and equipment into great research.” Dr. Rourke said that the gift from Mrs. Dobbin means the Faculty of Medicine “will have the capacity to do more of the interdisciplinary research that focuses on the unique needs and opportunities for Page 5
health research in Newfoundland and Labrador.” The Craig L. Dobbin Genetics Research Centre and the expansion of the medical education program of the Faculty of Medicine will be housed in a new six-storey building adjacent to the Health Sciences Centre. The Craig L. Dobbin Genetics Research Centre will be housed on levels three, four and five, with space on level six shelled in for future research.
Investments such as Mrs. Dobbin’s are improving the university’s capacity to support the people who make Memorial the diverse teaching, learning and research facility it is today. The impact of campaign investments will be felt far beyond the university’s walls, and will be seen for many years to come, through student success, research advances, and improved facilities.
CONTACT US CAMPAIGN VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF
Dare To CAMPAIGN CABINET
FAMILY CAMPAIGN ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Chaired by General Hillier (Ret’d), the voluntary Campaign Cabinet consists of:
The Family Campaign Advisory Committee takes great pride in the scholarships, bursaries, awards and other areas supported by the funds raised thus far. The committee consists of:
Dr. Vic Young, vice-chair Mr. Mark Dobbin, deputy chair Dr. Angus Bruneau, honorary co-chair Dr. Jean Bruneau, honorary co-chair Dr. Gary Kachanoski, president and vice-chancellor Dr. David Wardlaw, provost and vice-president (academic) Ms. Eleanor Swanson, vice-chair, Board of Regents representative Special advisors to the cabinet: Dr. Christopher Loomis, vice-president (research), and Dr. Ray Gosine, associate vice-president (research).
CONTACT US Dr. Penny Blackwood Director, Alumni Affairs and Development pablackw@mun.ca 709 864 4543 Ms. Jennifer O’Neill Associate Director, Development, and Campaign Director joneill@mun.ca 709 864 6763
Dr. Steve Bruneau Mr. Glenn Collins Ms. Barbara Cox Mr. Boyd Cranford Mr. Dan Dillon Dr. Dale Foster Ms. Kim Kelly Dr. Rob Shea Dr. Evan Simpson Ms. Anne Sinnott Ms. Linda White
BECAUSE YOU DARED, WE THANK YOU.
Dare To NEWSLETTER The Dare To Newsletter is a publication of Memorial University’s Capital Campaign Office. It is intended to recognize Memorial’s generous supporters and to highlight the advancements and achievements made possible through contributions to Dare To: The Campaign for Memorial University. Through continued support, we can build the Memorial University of the future: a place where ingenuity becomes reality. EDITOR: Ms. Laura Barron (with files from Ms. Sharon Gray) ENQUIRIES: MAIL TO: Editor, Dare To Newsletter Alumni Affairs and Development 20 Lambe’s Lane Memorial University of Newfoundland St. John’s, NL A1C 5S7 Telephone: 709 864 3447 Fax: 709 864 7436 E-mail: l.barron@mun.ca
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