$3.972 million raised to date in support of the Sustainable Skills, Technology and Life Sciences Centre and student financial assistance
Belleville, Ontario, June 5, 2012 – At the official launch of the Campaign for Loyalist College today, the College announced that $3.972 million has been raised to date to equip and complete the $16.6 million Sustainable Skills, Technology and Life Sciences Centre, and establish additional student awards.
The $6 million Campaign fundraising goal includes $5 million to equip the Skills Centre with updated equipment and $1 million in endowment and awards in support of student financial assistance. Already, $787,000 has been raised for the endowment fund, which provides additional financial assistance for students.
Construction of the Skills Centre was equally funded by the Federal and Provincial governments. Now, Loyalist has turned to its community for help in completing it with the most advanced equipment available. When the Campaign goal is reached, the Skills Centre will have the technologies necessary for students to gain the innovative skills required to join a highly-trained workforce when they graduate.
“We would like to thank all of our community partners who are supporting this important campaign,” said Loyalist President Maureen Piercy. “With their generous contributions, we are able to respond to emerging areas of labour market growth, such as Architecture and Building Sciences, Biosciences, and Skills Training. By adding resources and programs through our Skills Centre, Loyalist’s knowledgeable graduates will be well-prepared to take advantage of in-demand jobs, thereby helping to drive economic prosperity.”
During the launch event, which took place in the Automotive Shop of the Skills Centre, cornerstone commitments to the Campaign were announced by members of the Campaign Leadership Team, including Co-Chairs Wilf Wilkinson and Bernie Ouellet, as well as Chair Stuart Wright.
“We commend the very generous support of the John M. and Bernice Parrott Foundation to the Campaign for Loyalist College, of $750,000,” said Mr. Wilkinson. “This outstanding investment will assist in the purchase of priority equipment for the Sustainable Skills, Technology and Life Sciences Centre, and is a great help in helping meet the Campaign goal. It is greatly appreciated.”
President Piercy recognized industry partner Procter & Gamble, “We are thrilled with the support we’ve received today from P&G, which has donated $75,000 towards the campaign, in addition to gifts-in-kind of equipment totaling close to $200,000.”
Dave Carberry, Site Leader of Procter & Gamble in Belleville, attended the event. “As the world’s largest consumer goods company, Procter & Gamble’s purpose is to touch lives and improve life,” he said. With Loyalist College, we find an organization that is very similar to us because the College also touches lives. It reaches out to people and gives them a chance to develop skills and a career and to improve their quality of life. We are honoured to be partnering with Loyalist.”
The College was also very pleased to announce a generous gift to the Campaign from The W. Garfield Weston Foundation. “The Foundation is impressed with your vision for the Sustainable Skills, Technology and Life Sciences Centre and is pleased to pledge $50,000 for the purchase of equipment for the Centre,” commented Stewart Green, Director, The W. Garfield Weston Foundation.
Campaign Co-Chair Bernie Ouellet thanked The W. Garfield Weston Foundation. “This donation builds on the Foundation’s longtime support for college students and interest in those pursuing the skilled trades. The Foundation established an endowment to support Loyalist students in 1996, and this most recent donation is another example of their commitment to post-secondary education, and the success of our students. It is greatly appreciated.”
There has also been invaluable support from local municipalities including an investment of $500,000 from Belleville City Council over the next three years and a pledge of a $500,000 from Quinte West. Hastings County has committed $350,000 in support of the Skills Centre. At a presentation on April 3rd, Hastings County Warden Terry Clemens said that, “Loyalist College is an integral part of our area and continues to provide excellent education and training for our students both locally and across the province. Keeping our area well-trained and skilled is crucial for the economic development of our region.”
Within the College, the Loyalist Family Division has played an impressive role in supporting the Skills Centre. The Alumni Association, representing more than 30,000 graduates of the College, has pledged $150,000 to the Campaign, which will be recognized with the naming of an area within the Skills Centre.
In addition, the Student Government has provided significant support by creating the Link Lounge, a student-focused area, with a donation of $600,000. The Lounge officially opened in April 2011, connecting the original building and the new Skills Centre with a large, bright seating area for over 100 people. The area features a Living Wall.
To help raise endowment and awards in support of student financial assistance, the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT) presented a cheque to Loyalist in March for the creation of a $40,000 endowment to fund an annual financial bursary to support Loyalist College Engineering Technology students. The $10,000 gift from OACETT and $10,000 gift from the Northumberland Road Builders Association (NRBA) were matched by the Ontario Trust for Student Support (OTSS) program.
To watch a video or read more information on campaign objectives, please visit The Campaign for Loyalist.
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Media contact: Kerry Lorimer, Media Relations Specialist, Loyalist College, klorimer@loyalistc.on.ca, (613) 969-1913, ext. 2536