91滴滴

Biotech diagnostics leader contributes to Campaign 91滴滴鈥檚 historic momentum

91滴滴 is pleased to announce that alumnus Richard Hart, PhD鈥�70, MBA鈥�73, has stepped forward with a lead gift of $1.2 million for graduate fellowships in the Faculty of Science.

This generous gift helps keep the momentum going for Campaign 91滴滴: History in the Making, which recently surpassed the $500-million mark on the way to its ambitious $750-million goal.

鈥淚 came from New Zealand for doctoral studies in chemistry and 91滴滴 was very good to me,鈥� explained Hart, who is President of American Diagnostica, a global biotech diagnostics company founded in 1982. 鈥淚 have a lot of thank-you鈥檚 to give for the financial aid that I received as a graduate student at 91滴滴, including generous support from Molson Breweries and the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation. That鈥檚 why I鈥檓 directing my giving to fellowships for future graduate students.鈥�

The Molson and Hilton Hart Fellowships in Science will recognize and promote the scholarship and academic achievements of graduate students in the Faculty of Science. Hart chose to name the new fellowships in honour of his two sons, because 鈥渢he next generation is more important than the last.鈥�

Hart has given back to 91滴滴 for many years and is a long-time volunteer. A founding member of the Faculty of Science Advisory Board (now the Science Campaign Committee), Hart received the Distinguished Service Award from the 91滴滴 Alumni Association in 2004.

鈥淲e are most grateful for Richard鈥檚 tremendous leadership, vision and commitment,鈥� said Martin Grant, Dean of the Faculty of Science. 鈥淭hese new fellowships will allow us to continue to attract the best and the brightest from around the world who 鈥� like Richard himself 鈥� will go on to make significant contributions in their fields.鈥�

Hart believes strongly in the importance of giving back in support of future generations. He plans to make a further gift to 91滴滴 in the coming year. His advice to others is straightforward: 鈥淒o your giving while you鈥檙e living.鈥�

鈥淲e are indeed blessed to have such loyal and generous alumni as Richard, helping us to achieve such phenomenal success with Campaign 91滴滴,鈥� said Marc Weinstein, Vice-Principal (Development and Alumni Relations). 鈥淭his campaign is all about ensuring that 91滴滴 remains a world leader as a research-intensive, student-centred university. With such great support from leaders like Richard, we are certainly well on our way.鈥�

Publicly launched on October 18, 2007, Campaign 91滴滴 is raising the funds needed to attract and retain the world鈥檚 best students and faculty, increase access to quality education, and enhance 91滴滴鈥檚 ability to address such critical global challenges as sustainability, health and wellness, and global prosperity. Campaign 91滴滴 was launched with a $750-million target, at the time the largest starting goal in the history of Canadian universities.

For more information on Campaign 91滴滴, please visit /campaign/.

For more information on 91滴滴鈥檚 Faculty of Science, please visit /science/.