Transformational $2.25 million donation largest individual gift in Mount’s history Margaret Norrie McCain honours commitment to women’s education
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he Honourable Margaret Norrie McCain, OC, ONB, DHumL ‘05, donated $2.25 million to Mount Saint Vincent University – the largest individual gift in the Mount’s 140-year history. University leaders characterize its value as “transformational” to the institution. At a reception held Feb. 9 for more than 250 students, faculty, staff, alumnae and university friends who gathered to celebrate, Dr. Ramona Lumpkin, the Mount’s president, said, “Mrs. McCain’s act of generosity brings our plans for a new Teaching, Learning and Research Centre for our students, faculty and staff, that much closer to reality.” Mount Board Chair Sarah Veinot added, “It is a wonderful show of confidence in our mission, our place in education, and our vision for the new building. We are simply thrilled.” Mrs. McCain was drawn to the project in part because of the University’s plan to utilize various spaces throughout the building to pay homage to women (see p. 9). The Mount has not constructed a new classroom facility since 1971, and places a high priority on constructing new, better and more functional space. The new building will be named the Margaret Norrie McCain Centre for Teaching, Learning and Research. Construction will begin when the University’s $12 million fundraising program entitled Project TWENTY12, is finished. More than 50 community volunteers currently serve on
Project TWENTY12 fundraising committees. The current total stands at more than $7.4 million. The University aims to conclude fundraising at the end of 2012. The new Margaret McCain Centre will incorporate environmentally friendly design, learning labs, classrooms, interactive and collaborative technology and a student learning commons. Some of the Mount’s flagship programs and initiatives, including communications and public relations, business and tourism, women’s studies, the Gail and Stephen Jarislowsky Chair in Learning Disabilities, the Institute for Women, Gender and Social Justice, and the Nova Scotia Centre on Aging will make the McCain Centre their new home.
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