The University of Prince Edward Island has exceeded its goal of raising $50 million to support strategic priorities.
In addition to surpassing the campaign target ahead of schedule by more than $250,000, UPEI has secured another $3 million donation from private donors, who wish to remain anonymous. This additional money is earmarked for several health and wellness initiatives over and above INSPIRE! projects.
“This is a great day for UPEI and our students, faculty and staff,’’ said UPEI president Alaa Abd-El-Aziz.
“With 3,013 donors — 679 of them new — from 10 countries, including all 13 provinces and territories in Canada and 32 states in the United States, the INSPIRE! Campaign has been a tremendously successful and far-reaching friend- and fundraising effort. Along with our campaign chair Gordon MacKay and co-chairs Blair MacLauchlan, Ray Keenan, Donna Hassard, and John Horrelt, I thank all of our donors for making this ambitious goal become reality.”
Launched on Oct. 2, 2015, in conjunction with Founders Day and with the participation of UPEI past-presidents Ron Baker, Peter Meincke, Elizabeth Epperly and Premier Wade MacLauchlan, the INSPIRE! Campaign had four priority areas: sustainable design engineering; experiential and global learning; veterinary medicine and athletics and recreation. Led by a cabinet and team of champions, the campaign was slated to continue until October 2019 but will now wrap up six months early, during UPEI’s 50th anniversary year.
“It was important to have people involved who were supporters, not necessarily only alumni, but those connected to, and known by, the different communities that were our four priorities,’’ said MacKay.
“We have built strong relationships that will benefit UPEI in many ways for years to come.”