|
 |
 |
 |
CIBC Gives $85,000 in Support of Trent University's New Peter Gzowski College |
||
Wednesday, September 22, 2004, Peterborough At an announcement made today on the steps of Peter Gzowski College and the First Peoples House of Learning, CIBC District Vice President, Retail Banking and Small Business, Bernadette McCabe revealed plans to donate $85,000 to the new building. Accompanying CIBC's district vice president were branch managers Norm Kastner, manager, George & Hunter; Peter Evelyn, manager, Monaghan & Lansdowne; Margot Patterson, manager, Lakefield; and Karen Halliday, manager, Bridgenorth. Trent President Bonnie Patterson along with students Christina Fry, president of Peter Gzowski College cabinet, and Dudley Landon, president of the Trent University Native Association and a Nursing student, as well faculty and staff were present to hear the news of the donation. "CIBC recognizes the importance of Trent University in our community," said Ms. McCabe as she presented the cheque to President Patterson. "I am very proud to announce this gift on behalf of CIBC and its employees." "At CIBC, we are strong supporters of the communities where we work and live," continued Ms. McCabe. "Our philosophy of giving reflects our commitment to the communities we serve; we focus on enhancing the economic and social well-being of communities, to create a strong foundation for Canada's future. Our donation to Trent University clearly reflects this commitment." In fact, this donation to Peter Gzowski College reflects CIBC's history of support for Trent University. President Bonnie Patterson lauded CIBC's commitment to Trent. "CIBC has a long history of partnership with Trent University, contributing more than half a million dollars over the past 40 years," said President Patterson. "It is this type of long-term commitment to education, youth Aboriginal people, the environment, arts and culture that allows Trent to move ahead with ambitious and innovative projects in education and research that benefit the entire community. We sincerely thank CIBC for this legacy of support." Peter Gzowski College cabinet president Christina Fry was equally enthusiastic about CIBC's involvement with the college. The College is home to the University's Native Studies, Business Administration, Mathematics and Economics departments as well as Research and Graduate Studies and the First Peoples House of Learning. Trent University's college model also integrates residence space with its academic and administrative areas, so the College also includes residence space for 250 students. The First Peoples House of Learning presents Trent's unique commitment to First Peoples with a ceremonial space, gathering space, and a performance space. The design of the College was a thoughtful and collaborative process which incorporates the colours of the medicine wheel and other materials reflecting Native culture. The building itself was given an Anishnaabe name, Enweying, which means "the way we speak together." Trent University also invited CIBC to hold its regional meeting at the University's facilities today, to familiarize these local business leaders with Trent and the new college. Prior to today's announcement, CIBC's most recent and significant gift was a generous five-year pledge of $150,000 which provided support for the Trent Centre of Community Based Education. -30- For more information, please contact Alf Ramsay, CIBC, at (416) 980-2849 or Richard Morgan, senior development manager, Trent University at 748-1011 ext. 1598
|
||
Return to Trent Home |
||
 |
| |