Personal gifts
Supporting the next generation
Climate-change research energized with gift to Concordia and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
A generous gift from one of Concordia’s most ardent champions will support a new partnership between Concordia and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Be’er Sheva, Israel.
The $1-million donation from Miriam Roland, LLD 18, to be equally shared by both institutions, will fund sustainability pilot projects led jointly by Concordia’s Next-Generation Cities Institute and Ben-Gurion University’s Goldman Sonnenfeldt School for Sustainability and Climate Change.
Concordia President Graham Carr; Ursula Eicker, founder and co-director, Next-Generation Cities Institute; Miriam Roland; PhD candidate Natalie Voland; and Paul Chesser, vice-president, Advancement.
“We are extremely fortunate to have such a dedicated and engaged supporter as Miriam Roland,” says Concordia President Graham Carr. “Concordia’s sustainability objectives include more support for research that targets the effects of climate change. We are eager to pursue this new collaboration with Ben-Gurion University, thanks to a gift that is focused on tackling a critical United Nations Sustainable Development Goal — how to make urban spaces more inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.”
Roland, who served on Concordia’s Board of Governors from 1991 to 2004, notes that both institutions have established bold objectives for growth and have impressive research footprints relative to size.
“I am deeply concerned about the kind of world future generations will inherit,” she adds. “I think we live on a beautiful planet, and I would like to contribute to solutions that help us live comfortably without imperilling the lives of others.”
HIGHLIGHTS
Dominic D’Alessandro, BSc 67, former president and CEO of Manulife Financial, gave $2 million to support a past endowment established to assist graduate students in research-oriented programs, regardless of faculty.
J. Sebastian van Berkom, BComm 69, LLD 17, donated $1,180,000 to further support the Van Berkom John Molson Small-Cap Case Competition and provide scholarships for finance students enrolled in the Van Berkom Investment Management Program at the John Molson School.
Kenneth Woods, MBA 75, LLD 17, further supported his namesake Kenneth Woods Portfolio Management Program with a gift of more than $400,000 to take his recent commitment to $1 million.
Richard D. Paterson, BComm 64, gave $385,000 via American Friends of Concordia to support a variety of academic and student needs.
Robert Briscoe, BSc 67, MBA 73, LLD 18, gave $200,000 to establish a fellowship for future writers in memory of his late daughter, Susan Jeanne.
Jonathan P. Aune donated $129,600 to fund the Ruth P. Glenen Master of Business Administration Memorial Award. Named in honour of Ruth Glenen, BA 80, MBA 85, the award will support women MBA students at the John Molson School.
Concordia Sports Hall of Famer and major donor George Lengvari, BA 63, made a gift of $100,000 to establish an award for male and female varsity basketball players in the name of Jackson Winters, Lengvari’s coach at Loyola College.
Luigi Liberatore, LLD 18, honorary co-chair of the annual Concordia Golf Classic and president of Elmag Investments, donated $100,000 to the 2022 tournament in support of student scholarships and bursaries.
A gift of $100,000 to Stingers men’s basketball from Richard Mackay, BA 58, was made in honour of Mag Flynn, who coached Mackay at Sir George Williams University and later served as dean of students at both Sir George Williams and Concordia.
Rebecca D. Reeve Henderson, MA 07, gave $66,500 to support Projected Futures 5: Experimental Science Journalism Studies, an intensive and experiential summer school that will challenge participants to rethink how science is communicated within society.
A gift of $52,500 from J. Ross Quigley supported the Tom Hopkins Memorial Graduate Award, established in memory of Montreal artist Tom Hopkins.
Peter Kruyt, BComm 78, gave $50,000 via the Jewish Community Foundation of Montreal to support a variety of needs at Concordia.
A gift of $50,000 from Joseph Pataki, BEng 74, co-founder and chief executive officer of Quad Engineering, funded an endowment for international female students at the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science.
Edouard Schouela donated $50,000 to further support an endowment he established in 1999 to support undergraduate students in the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering.
James M. Stanford, BSc 58, LLD 00, gave $50,000 to support the Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies (MIGS) and the work of the Honorable Roméo A. Dallaire, LLD 13, MIGS Distinguished Senior Fellow.
Louis A. Tanguay, BComm 75, LLD 18, former CEO of Bell Canada, gave $50,000 to support Concordia’s Beat the Odds Internship Program.
Marilyn Takefman, BA 74, donated $50,000 to encourage female students through the Jean Schwartz Takefman Scholarship for Graduate Students.
Concordia Chancellor Jonathan Wener, BComm 71 (pictured at convocation with Concordia President Graham Carr and honorary doctorate recipient Fibbie Tatti, DSc 20) , gave $50,000 toward the Chancellor’s First Generation and Permanent Resident Bursary Fund to provide financial support for first-generation students enrolled in any undergraduate degree program at Concordia. The fund was also supported through a gift of $50,000 from David P. O’Brien, BA 62.
Concordia President Graham Carr, honorary doctorate recipient Fibbie Tatti and Chancellor Jonathan Wener at the June 2022 convocation.
