Anonymous donor gives college $1M

Special to the WCR
Calgary

The gift, received on behalf of the college by its chancellor, Bishop Frederick Henry, came in the wake of the bishop's written appeal to all members of the Calgary Diocese to support the growth and development of St. Mary's.

Dr. Terry Downey, president of St. Mary's, expressed "the profound gratitude of all members of the St. Mary's College community to this remarkably generous individual."

This gift is an essential commitment to the building of a major Catholic college in Calgary: "This timely financial contribution enables the college to complete a major capital expansion and ensures the immediate provision of top quality facilities for all our students."

Downey noted that "while our financial needs are ongoing and still considerable," this major gift provides the foundation for "the sound financial position necessary to ensure continuing rapid growth and development of a first class university college."

St. Mary's College offers first and second year arts and science university-level courses, with an emphasis on teaching excellence, small class size and individual attention.

At this point, applications for full and part-time studies are still being accepted. The college has already experienced more than a 50 per cent increase in full-time enrolment since September 1998.

This latest gift is the third major donation received since the College moved from its former location on 48th Avenue SW to its new campus in southeast Calgary.

The Basilian Fathers recently donated in excess of $900,000 for the new library and Calgary businessman Allan Markin also made a major contribution.

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