Memorial University launches private sector fundraising campaign

Nov. 2, 2011

Memorial University of Newfoundland announced a $50 million private sector fundraising campaign as part of an overall redevelopment initiative totalling more than $250 million on Tuesday, Nov. 1. Dare To: The Campaign for Memorial University marks an exciting new phase in Memorial’s history.

Dare To focuses on student financial support, academic excellence and physical infrastructure that will enable the university to continue to build a first-rate, world-class learning and research environment. Major investment in scholarship and bursary funding, research chairs, professorships and fellowships and improvements to the quality of facilities will position Memorial as a destination of choice for academics, students and staff from around the world. Following several years of planning, the campaign launched with $36.5 million having already been raised, representing 73 per cent of the $50 million goal.

At a special event at The Rooms in downtown St. John’s, Dr. Gary Kachanoski, Memorial’s president and vice-chancellor, General Rick Hillier (Ret’d), chancellor and campaign chair, and Premier Kathy Dunderdale joined special guests, including students, faculty, senior university officials and donors to celebrate the public launch of this campaign.

“If we want to continue to attract talented students, faculty and staff who wish to come to Newfoundland and Labrador to learn, to do research and to start businesses here, then we know that now is the right time to make some serious investments in their success and in our university,” said Dr. Kachanoski.

Thus far, Memorial’s faculty, students and staff have donated more than $1.2 million to Dare To: The Campaign for Memorial University.

“At its inception, Dare To was quickly seen as a unique opportunity by Memorial’s faculty, students and staff – those of whom we refer to as our family – to show solidarity and support. Giving truly does begin at home,” said Chancellor Hillier. “In this quiet phase of the campaign, leading up to this public launch, Memorial has also received a high level of support from the oil and gas sector, and the financial sector, whose leadership is greatly appreciated.”

As part of an overall redevelopment initiative, the university has already received more than $200 million from government toward significant expansion and renovations across its campuses. Projects include the St. John’s and Grenfell Campus student residences, the Grenfell Campus academic building, and the Faculty of Medicine expansion in St. John’s, including the creation of the new Interdisciplinary Research Centre in Human Genetics.

As part of the $50 million private sector fundraising campaign, Memorial will be reaching out broadly to its alumni, with specific regional campaign plans being developed and implemented for St. John’s, Corner Brook, Halifax, Toronto and Calgary. These volunteer-driven regional campaigns will further Memorial’s reputation, build stronger alumni relations and contribute to the Dare To campaign’s financial success. 

A website for the campaign is now live at www.dareto.ca

About Dare To: The Campaign for Memorial University

Memorial University of Newfoundland is undertaking a $50 million private sector campaign as part of an overall redevelopment program.  Dare To focuses on student financial support, academic excellence and physical infrastructure, in order to enable the university to build a first-rate, world-class learning and research environment. In combination, investment in these three key areas will position Memorial as a destination of choice for academics, students and staff from around the world. 

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