Couple donates $5.9M to University of Saskatchewan
The University of Saskatchewan received another substantial donation from alumni Ron and Jane Graham on Thursday; $5.9 million to be split into different four different organizations.
Three million will be going towards Huskie Athletics; an even split between the men’s and women’s basketball teams, and the football team, while $1 million is earmarked for the College of Education, $1 million will go to the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), and $900,000 is for the College of Engineering.
“It's enormous,” said university president Peter Stoicheff. “The Grahams are very visionary in their giving, they do a lot of research and homework beforehand to try to understand where their support can best be used.”
The university says the Grahams are the largest cumulative alumni donors in the university's history, previously making donations towards scholarships, facilities, and programming.
“There just always seems to be more needs, and more things we think that are important on the campus,” said Jane Graham.
For Huskie Athletics, the university says the funding will be used for innovative equipment and technology, coaching support, and exploring new travel opportunities for competition and skill development, as well as scholarships.
The donation to the College of Engineering will help to develop the RE-ENGINEERED program to help first-year students succeed.
“For me that was a huge home run,” said Ron Graham, a College of Engineering alumnus. “When I started we sat down for orientation and they said, 'Look to your left, look to your right. Two of the three of you will not graduate in engineering, you'll leave for some reason or another.'”
The university says the donation to VIDO will help it become Canada’s Centre for Pandemic Research, and funds for the College of Education will go towards the Jane and Ron Graham Centre for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.