Culled from SFU News, Vancouver, Canada.
By Wan Yee Lok.
Simon Fraser University is excited to celebrate the success of its 50th anniversary Power of Engagement fundraising campaign, which raised a record-breaking $275 million, well surpassing its $250-million goal.
The contributions raised from the campaign will help shape SFU’s next 50 years as Canada’s leading engaged university, supporting programs and initiatives that correspond to the University’s vision to deliver innovative education, cutting-edge research and community outreach.
"The success of this campaign will help SFU further its vision as Canada’s engaged university today and into the future,” says President Andrew Petter. “Thanks to the generous support of our alumni and supporters, we are better equipped than ever to realize our goals of engaging students, researchers and communities, and to making a positive difference in the lives of young people and in the communities we serve.”
The campaign has already supported many initiatives at the University. Some highlights include:
First Nations Health Authority Chair in Heart Health & Wellness at St. Paul’s Hospital: This position, the first of its kind in Western Canada, puts First Nations communities in the driver’s seat of cardiac health research and offers a holistic focus on First Nations and Aboriginal peoples’ cardiac health and disease prevention.
Trottier Observatory & Science Courtyard: The observatory houses a powerful $4.4-million telescope dedicated to engaging children, youth and stargazers in learning about astronomy through free community outreach sessions.
Friends of Simon: An award-winning program that connects the most vulnerable K–12 students with SFU student tutors from all disciplines.
Charles Chang Institute for Entrepreneurship: This institute offers a rigorous and multi-faceted entrepreneurial education to students from all faculties.
NSERC Chair for Women in Science and Engineering: Established in partnership with Simba Technologies, this chair supports the presence of women and establishes role models for young women in STEM fields.
Cmolik Prize for the Enhancement of Public Education in British Columbia: A $100,000 award to recognize innovation in the K–12 public school system.
The University credits the campaign’s success to the 18,534 committed donors, 67 per cent of whom are SFU alumni.
Forty-three per cent of the funds will be used to support SFU students, 40 per cent will be used to support research that promote social, environmental and economic betterment and lastly, 17 per cent will support the University’s efforts to engage and enrich the communities it serves.
“The founders of SFU were aspirational in their hopes and dreams for this university,” says Michael den Haan, vice-president advancement and alumni engagement.
“Today, thanks to the community of SFU alumni and donors to the campaign, SFU students, faculty and staff can aspire to engage the world in new and exciting ways. For this we are profoundly grateful.”
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