THE LONG VIEW Robert Murdoch '60 (Lake's) has been a lifelong advocate for Shawnigan Lake School. With 27 years of consecutive giving, Bob is one of the top donors in the School's history and has served in numerous volunteer leadership roles. He currently sits on the Shawnigan Lake School Foundation Board of Directors, and previously served as Chairman of both the Board of Governors and the Centennial Campaign, which led to the redevelopment of the School's worldclass campus.
Robert Murdoch '60 (Lake's) Past Chairman, Board of Governors Past Chairman, Centennial Campaign Currect Director, Shawnigan Foundation
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There are many ways to contribute to the mission of the School.
"I believe that Shawnigan changed my life—it formed me. I was lucky enough to meet at the School four or five people who significantly influenced my life. Whatever success I’ve had, my experience at Shawnigan was a big contributing factor. If you’ve got a skill set, Shawnigan finds it; that gives you confidence. Playing on an undefeated first fifteen rugby team and winning the Calder Cleland rowing trophy are significant events in my life and some of those teammates are still my best friends today. Later, I worked for the Prime Minister of Canada for five years. I’ve been CEO of an NYSE company with 10,000 people in it, but, aside from my family, I would say that my business career came third to working for Pierre Trudeau and rowing and playing rugby at Shawnigan. This is the most beautiful place in the world. Whenever I come to Shawnigan, I always feel happier. Years after graduation, I wanted to show my children B.C. and where I went to school. When we returned to Washington, my older son said that he wanted to come to Shawnigan. That reconnected me to the School, and later I was asked to join the Board of Governors. I have loved serving as a Governor, and now as a Foundation Director. These roles connect you to the staff and the students—our younger people and the issues going on in their lives."
Bob is quick to emphasize the contributions of time, talent, and treasure by his fellow volunteer leaders over the years. Pointing to the campus planning and project management expertise of past parent and former Governor Chris Le Fevre, and the historic generosity and financial leadership of alumnus, past parent, former Governor, and fellow Foundation Director Brian Mitchell, Bob articulates an astute point that philanthropy appears in many forms and there are many ways to contribute to the mission of the School. "We have done a wonderful job in recent years redeveloping our campus. Now, we must work to develop diversity in the School and build the endowment in support of the School's programs, scholarships, and financial aid. Shawnigan has one of the best educational experiences in the world. We want to make it affordable to more young people so they can enjoy the life-changing experience that we have been privy to. This is the factor that will determine our future success."
The Boys' Eight crew in 1959 (back row, 1-r): Bob Murdoch, Roy McIntosh, Malcolm McAvity, David Ross, Don Mowat, John Larsen, Peter Pratt and Michael Whittaker; (front): coach Laurie West, cox John Gibson and Rev. R.F. Stephenson, manager.
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