Thanks to you, it begins here. Your support of the Campaign for the University of New Brunswick means:
Here are just a few of the stories about the impact donors like you have made.
It began when CIBC expressed an interest in supporting bursaries for Indigenous students at UNB. This idea aligned strongly with UNB’s commitment to honour the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s recommendation to bridge the Indigenous education gap in a single generation. CIBC’s gift of $500,000 to establish the CIBC-University of New Brunswick Indigenous Bursaries has already benefitted students at UNB. Indspire, Canada’s premier Indigenous-led non-profit, manages, leverages and awards the bursaries, which are awarded to First Nations, Inuit and Métis undergraduates with demonstrated financial need. Financial resources are the number one barrier that Indigenous students cite for their inability to achieve a post-secondary education. These bursaries make UNB programs more accessible to Indigenous students and contribute to a more diverse and inclusive academic environment that benefits everyone on campus.
It began with a dream to attend University and pursue her academic goals in the bachelor of science program at the University of New Brunswick. Those aspirations were boosted when she received the $40,000 Sandra and Arthur Irving Primrose Scholarship, one of the largest renewable awards on the Saint John campus. With the support of Sandra (BA ‘95, D.Litt ‘09) and Arthur (D.Litt. ‘09) Irving, who funded the scholarship and who increased their commitment to the Primrose program during the campaign, Chloe felt that someone believed in her. She has maintained a place on the Dean’s List each year and now displays a confidence, that, in large part, grew out of the Irvings’ belief in students like her.
For Dr. Mikael Hellstrom, It began when he was awarded the first Purdy Crawford/TD Bank Postdoctoral Fellowship in Accessibility. The award allows him to study the role immigrants can play in designing and delivering social services for newcomers as they integrate into the New Brunswick community. Dr. Hellstrom’s fellowship is one of two Purdy Crawford Fellowships supported by an endowment of $2 million, created through the generosity of alumni, corporate and community partners including the Jarislowsky Foundation, TD Bank Group and the families of Dr. Purdy Crawford, C.C. (LL.D., ’10) and Mrs. Beatrice Crawford and the Hon. Dr. Margaret Norrie McCain, C.C., O.N.B. (LL.D, ’93). This critical backing allows UNB researchers, like Dr. Hellstrom, to gauge whether New Brunswickers have access to education, health care and other programs and services that will enable them to reach their full potential.
It began with a need to upgrade science facilities at UNB. Through the support of Dr. J. Richard Armstrong (BSc ‘51, MSc ‘52, PhD ‘54), that necessity translated into the newly renovated chemistry labs. These state-of-the-art facilities enable graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty members like Dr. Anna Ignaszak to perform vital research not just in chemistry but also in many other fields, including materials engineering and electrochemical engineering. Dr. Ignaszak’s aim is to better understand the structure and reactivity of electrochemicals. Depending on their carbon-polymer content, electrodes can be translucent, stretchable, and show memory effect. Dr. Ignaszak’s studies could have major implications in the field of electrode engineering.
It began with a vision to improve the quality of life for people with chronic neurological conditions. Since 1965, UNB’s Institute of Biomedical Engineering (IBME) has furthered biomedical engineering education, research and community service. Now, thanks to a generous commitment from Robert and Barbara Pickett, IBME will expand to include a specialized rehabilitation research space with state-of-the-art rehabilitation equipment, which will allow UNB researchers to address some of the most important challenges facing neurorehabilitation, not only in Canada but throughout the world.
It began with researchers at UNB diligently working to advance world-class research in smart grid technology. Now, thanks to a $6.2 million commitment from Emera, UNB has established the Emera & NB Power Research Centre for Smart Grid Technologies. The Centre enables UNB to play a leading role in developing smart grid technologies, which empower consumers to manage energy use, including the ability to supply energy to the electric power system. This type of technology has vast applications and is poised to revolutionize conventional power grids worldwide. We are proud to be at the forefront of this emerging field.
It began with a mission to address gender equality in provincial politics. Now, a group of New Brunswick leaders have formed ‘Women for 50%’ to develop plans and follow through with actions to promote having women comprise 50 per cent of the candidates in the 2018 provincial election. Supporting this cause as honorary patron is Dr. Richard J. Currie (Class of ’60, LL.D, ’87) O.C., O.N.B., UNB’s Chancellor Emeritus. As a successful business person, Dr. Currie is a firm believer that New Brunswick’s future will be strengthened by engaging more women in elected offices and in decision-making that impacts the province.
For many entrepreneurs, it begins with a gut feeling about what it takes to succeed with a new business idea. For 10 years, The Wallace McCain Institute at UNB has operated programs for high potential entrepreneurs to give them the skills they need to turn a good idea into a great product or company. The Institute honours the memory of one of New Brunswick’s business icons – Dr. G. Wallace F. McCain, C.C., O.N.B. (Class of ‘51, DLitt. ’02) and has received generous support from many influential sources ranging from Francis McGuire (D.Litt. ’17) to J. Scott McCain and the Hon. Dr. Margaret Norrie McCain, C.C., O.N.B. (LL.D ’93). This generous support assists business leaders who are at a crossroads in their life and with their companies. At the Institute, mentors surround their business leaders with experiences to inform their intuition and push beyond where they ever thought they could go, helping to enhance the economy in their communities and provinces.
It began with an idea to approach sports leadership development from an ongoing and integrated perspective. Sonny Phillips (BSc ‘77) and his wife Coleen created the Phillips Sports Leadership Academy with a generous gift to UNB. The Academy gives UNB Reds student-athletes a skill set that will benefit them now and as they transition into their careers. In association with the Janssen Sports Leadership, a world-wide leader in sports leadership development, the Phillips Sports Leadership Academy targets and trains student-athletes using multiple modules offered throughout the school year to maximize learning, retention, and application. It’s a cutting-edge approach that places UNB at the forefront of university sport programming in Canada.
It began with a mission to support and celebrate arts and culture at UNB Saint John. Now, thanks to generosity from donors such as Sue and David Allen, Douglas Leyden (BBA ‘67) and Stephen (BA ’76, LLB ’79, BA ’16) and Pamela Ring, the Lorenzo Society at UNB Saint John is a leading forum for an impressive selection of cultural entertainment in southern New Brunswick. Thanks to these advocates for the arts, the Lorenzo Society organizes a wide variety of events each year that range from readings by major Canadian authors and publishing creative works in the student literary journal VOX, to hosting art exhibits, noon-hour concerts and a master class by the Saint John String Quartet.
