International Alumnus Justin Chiu Gifts $300,000 to Support New Student Centre at Trent
Student Centre opens this fall at Trent University and provides space for students to socialize, study and engage with life on campus
The highly-anticipated Trent University Student Centre has received a $300,000 funding boost thanks to the generosity of international alumnus and Trent supporter, Justin Chiu ’76.
Dr. Chiu’s gift to the Student Centre will contribute to enhancing the exceptional student experience at Trent that he personally attributes to helping him become the dynamic and successful business leader he is today.
“My family and I chose Trent when I was a student because we felt that an outstanding small Canadian university would provide an excellent education on a very personal scale. Today, that human touch remains an essential part of the Trent student experience,” said Dr. Chiu.
Building on his loyal and committed giving history to Trent University, Dr. Chiu’s latest gift brings the Student Centre project even closer to its $4 million fundraising goal, with less than $250,000 left to raise. The $300,000 gift is the most recent in a list of significant support to the University from Dr. Chiu for close to ten years including:
- A $250,000 gift to support Indigenous students named The Catherine Chiu Indigenous Bachelor of Education Award was established in 2016 in honour of his sister-in-law
- A $1 million gift to support Trent athletes in 2011, with The Justin Chiu Stadium
- A transformative $1 million gift to support International students with the Justin Chiu International Scholarship and the Rita Chiu Study Abroad Bursaries in 2009
“Dr. Chiu’s vision and dynamism has resulted in projects that have transformed Singapore’s waterfront and changed many other horizons throughout Asia. Through his philanthropy and leadership, he helps extend that vision to the waterfront of Trent University with a vibrant new Student Centre,” said Julie Davis, vice-president of external relations and advancement at Trent.
In his native Hong Kong, Dr. Chiu is described as one of the most inspired and innovative property developers in the city. He is known as a man with many interests – balancing 30 years of international experience in real estate with activities like motorcycle riding, skiing and paragliding.
Mr. Chiu graduated from Trent in 1978 with a joint degree in Sociology and Economics. Since returning to Hong Kong, he has worked for three blue-chip companies in Asia and is currently an executive director of Cheung Kong (Holdings) Limited and the chairman of ARA Asset Management. Throughout all of his roles, Dr. Chiu credits Trent University for giving him the academic and personal experience in Canada that have helped him develop into the dynamic and successful business leader he is today.
The Student Centre project is part of Trent University’s $50 Million Campaign - Unleash the Potential, the University’s most ambitious philanthropic campaign to date. Funding for the $16 million project has been a Trent family effort. The students have provided $10.5 million through a special levy. The Trent community including, the board, faculty, staff, and alumni, have donated over $3.75 million towards the $4 million fundraising goal. This includes a transformational $1 million gift from alumnus Stephen Stohn ’66 last fall, $1.5 million through the Alumni Student Centre Challenge, and five $100,000 donations from alumni - Gavin Marshall ’76, Greg Piasetzki ’72, Ken Hartwick ’81, Martha Wilder ’74, and Don Tapscott ’66 and Ana P. Lopes.
Help support the Student Centre project at Trent or learn more about the Unleash the Potential campaign.
About Trent University
One of Canada's top universities, Trent University was founded on the ideal of interactive learning that's personal, purposeful and transformative. Consistently recognized nationally for leadership in teaching, research and student satisfaction, Trent attracts excellent students from across the country and around the world. Here, undergraduate and graduate students connect and collaborate with faculty, staff and their peers through diverse communities that span residential colleges, classrooms, disciplines, hands-on research, co-curricular and community-based activities. Across all disciplines, Trent brings critical, integrative thinking to life every day. Today, Trent's unique approach to personal development through supportive, collaborative community engagement is in more demand than ever. Students lead the way by co-creating experiences rooted in dialogue, diverse perspectives and collaboration. In a learning environment that builds life-long passion for inclusion, leadership and social change, Trent's students, alumni, faculty and staff are engaged global citizens who are catalysts in developing sustainable solutions to complex issues. Trent's Peterborough campus boasts award-winning architecture in a breathtaking natural setting on the banks of the Otonabee River, just 90 minutes from downtown Toronto, while Trent University Durham – Greater Toronto Area, delivers a distinct mix of programming in the east GTA
For more information, contact:
Kate Weersink, media relations & strategic communications officer, Trent University, (705) 748-1011 x6180 or email.
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