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| Mr. Ralph M. Medjuck, Mrs. Shirlee Medjuck and Dr. Tom Traves at the dedication |
On September 13, Dalhousie University students, staff and faculty celebrated the completion of the Faculty of Architecture and Planning Studio Campaign with alumni, friends and industry partners. The Ralph M. Medjuck Building was officially dedicated, named in recognition of the philanthropist and generous supporter of architecture and planning education.
The three-year, $2.5 million dollar renovation project performed on the 97 year-old Sexton campus building was essential for the future of the Faculty. "Growth has been very rapid; the new spaces have expanded and renewed this wonderful historic building," explains Dean J. Grant Wanzel.
"The faculty has more students, we continue to offer more programs and we have added the School of Planning. From every point of view, the Studio Campaign has resulted in tremendous improvements for all of us. It would have been impossible to live out our dreams and continue to work here without the renovations."
Ralph M. Medjuck, Q.C. (LL.B '54) was on hand for the ceremony, saying: "Dalhousie has been the foundation and the source for my energy and the source for my many accomplishments. It is a pleasure and an honour to be seen as a partner with the University."
Students shared in the excitement of the finished project. Speaking at the event, Jeff Atchison, president of the Architecture Students Association said, "Thank you for investing in our futures. As architecture students, we believe that the built environment has the ability to enrich the quality of one's life, work and study. I am pleased that the building that houses architecture and planning study is representative of the faculty and the talent of the students."
According to M.Arch candidate Lynden Giles, "Things were a lot less accommodating before [the renovations]. Our new environment is so inviting: we now work in an open-wall or atelier design. It just makes it so much easier to stay at school, collaborate and bounce ideas off of each other."
The Studio Campaign was financed by many sources including a voluntary levy on student tuition, government funding as well as private gifts. As the result, the Faculty of Architecture and Planning was able to re-engage the community and form strong partnerships with industry.
In addition to Mr. Medjuck, several other people were identified for providing talent, resources and for contributing to the success of the project including: former Dean and Campaign visionary Dr. Tom Emodi, fundraising Chair Jamie Wright (Dip. Eng '65, B.Arch '67) and principal architect Niall Savage (B.EDS '87, M.Arch '89). In thanking them, President Tom Traves said, "Design and planning remain just concepts until someone does something to engage them beyond their plans; we are all witness to their engagement."