Alumni and Friends Support 'Tremendous Renewal'

November 5, 2004

Alumni and Friends Support 'Tremendous Renewal'

by Ian Murray

	The team at External Relations were ready for the first Nova Scotia donor recognition reception.

Whether it was the through the Annual Fund campaign - which was the most successful on record - or by acknowledging Dalhousie in their estate planning, alumni and friends strengthened their bond with the University infiscal 2003/04 last year by contributing $19.8 million in pledges and gifts.

To celebrate this achievement and to thank those Nova Scotia donors who contributed in some way to the success of last year's campaign, President Tom Traves and Heritage Society member, alumnus and centenarian, Dr. Wilfred Creighton (BA, BSc '26) hosted the first-ever Nova Scotia reception in University Hall on October 20th. "You are our strength," Dr. Traves told the approximately 200 alumni and friends attending the reception. "With your support, Dalhousie has enjoyed tremendous renewal as we recruit new academic staff, refresh classrooms and laboratories and construct new buildings to meet ourstudents' needs today and into the future."

	Co-host Dr. Wilfred Creighton, is a Heritage Society member, alumnus and centenarian.

Sonia Richards, a twenty-something alumnus (BSc '97) now living in the Annapolis Valley, made a special effort to attend the event. "Walking up University Avenue and onto campus brought it all back," she stated, acknowledging that events like these help her feel re-connected toDalhousie. "Being here really makes me want to give again this year."

Dr. Traves made special mention of the 2003/04 Annual Fund campaign through which alumni and friends from all over the world contributed a whopping $1.92 million; marking an impressive 45% increase in the number of alumni making contributions. The 2004/05 Annual Fund campaign has had an encouraging start with over $600,000 committed by more than 2900 alumni and friends to date.

Also recognized at the reception were Robbie Shaw (LLD'66), who is a long-time supporter of Dalhousie and a former VP of Finance and Administration, and Joan Gilroy (BA'56, MSW'58) a former faculty member of the Maritime School of Social Work. Because they have including Dalhousie in their estate planning, Mr. Shaw and Ms. Gilroy were was welcomed by Dr. Traves into the Dalhousie Heritage Society.

	Anjna Majhail, a friend of Dalhousie, established two $50,000 Medical School bursaries last year, and joined the President's Circle.

Anjna Majhail, a friend to Dalhousie, established two $50,000 Medical School bursaries last year, one in memory of her husband, Jogindar Majhail, and the other in memory of her brother, Krishan Parkash Gopal. By achieving cumulative donations to Dalhousie exceeding $100,000, Mrs. Majhail was inducted into the President's Circle.

As guests reminisced and admired the impressive architecture of University Hall, Dr. Traves thanked them for sharing in Dalhousie's "sense of tradition and vision of the future," telling them he was "deeply, deeply grateful" for all they had done invited them to stay tuned as "together we build upon our success."