September 30, 2005 Source: McGill University:
http://www.mcgill.ca/newswire/?ItemID=17008 Schulich School of Music of McGill University named after benefactor Source: University Relations Office (URO) [newswire]
September 30, 2005
$20 million gift from Seymour Schulich to support students, New Music Building Businessman Seymour Schulich, a two-time McGill University graduate and honorary degree recipient, has stepped forward with a transformative philanthropic gift of unprecedented generosity towards his alma mater and to higher education in the arts. Schulich is donating $20 million to the Faculty of Music, which will now be called the Schulich School of Music of McGill University, in recognition of his extraordinary philanthropic contribution. The 100-year-old Faculty of Music — the best in Canada and a leader in the world — will be the first McGill program to be named in honour of an individual. Thanks to this gift, McGill graduate and undergraduate students will have an opportunity to apply for 40 annual Schulich Scholarships to make their musical dreams come true. Schulich's donation will also enable the creation of two endowed chairs that will help McGill continue to recruit the best and the brightest minds in music teaching and research. And $8 million of his gift has been applied towards McGill's cutting edge New Music Building — a $70-million project that opened today. "Seymour Schulich has directed his philanthropy where it will have an unprecedented impact towards student scholarships and culture," says Heather Munroe-Blum, McGill Principal and Vice-Chancellor. "He has been groundbreakingly generous and strategic in keeping with his belief in the responsibility of those more fortunate to apply their wealth to the greater public good. McGill thanks Mr. Schulich for helping propel the Schulich School of Music of McGill University to new levels of excellence and impact." With today's announcement, Schulich has given in excess of $100 million to education that has been directed to four academic streams: The Schulich School of Music of McGill University The Schulich School of Business of York University The Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at the University of Western Ontario The Schulich School of Engineering at the University of CalgarySchulich has previously donated about $3 million to McGill, which went towards Libraries, the Schulich Library of Science and Engineering, as well as the Faculty of Management. Schulich has given an additional $50 million to other causes. "The impact of Seymour Schulich on higher education is huge," says Don McLean, Dean of the Schulich School of Music of McGill University. "Thanks to his generosity and vision, our 800-plus students will have access to new facilities and resources that will allow their musical dreams to come true." For his part, Seymour Schulich is delighted to give back to the place that gave him his start, McGill. "Everyone who enjoys Canada's freedoms and standard of living, if able, has an obligation to give back," Schulich says. "It doesn't matter what you give as long as you give back — giving time and talent are just as important. What better way to give back than to invest in the education of future generations?"
About the Schulich School of Music of McGill The Schulich School of Music of McGill University is built on a program that recently celebrated its centennial. With over 800 students, it is the largest and the best school of its kind in Canada. The program is now moving to a position as one of the top 10 music schools in the world. McGill University is Canada's leading research-intensive university and has earned an international reputation for scholarly achievement and scientific discovery. Founded in 1821, McGill has 21 faculties and professional schools, which offer more than 300 programs from the undergraduate to the doctoral level. McGill attracts renowned professors and researchers from around the world and top students from more than 150 countries, creating one of the most dynamic and diverse education environments in North America. There are approximately 23,000 undergraduate students and 7,000 graduate students. It is one of two Canadian members of the distinguished American Association of Universities. McGill's two campuses are located in Montreal, Canada.
Source:
Sylvain-Jacques Desjardins
Associate director
McGill University Relations Office
514-398-1076
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