University residence named in honour of Bill and Denise Andrew
The impressive five-storey building that stands at the southwest corner of the University of Prince Edward Island campus and serves as UPEI's newest student residence has been named in honour of Bill and Denise Andrew in recognition of their life-long commitment to the well-being of the University.
'To say that Bill and Denise Andrew are passionate about UPEI is an understatement. Their contributions of time, energy, and financial resources have been invaluable,' says Fred Hyndman, Chair of the UPEI Board of Governors. 'Their generosity has benefitted every corner of the UPEI community and made a tremendous impact on students' lives.'
"Bill and Denise Andrew have been outstanding supporters of UPEI and its advancement, in the fullest sense," says UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan. "The entire UPEI community, including students and alumni, has benefitted from their example and their generosity. We are proud that Bill and Denise Andrew Hall will have such a fine name, and that UPEI has such a bright future."
The Andrews are Calgary residents who maintain close ties to their native Prince Edward Island. They have a home in PEI and, in partnership with Bill's brother Brian and his wife Carol, they operate Meridian Farms in Milton where they raise standardbred horses, a family tradition for four generations.
Bill Andrew graduated from UPEI's Engineering program in 1973. He went on to become the CEO of Penn West Petroleum, one of Canada's largest senior oil and natural gas exploration and production companies. Since March 2005, he has been Chancellor of UPEI and was recently elected to serve for a second term, ending in 2013.
The Andrews have created numerous academic and athletics scholarships, supported neuroscience research, and assisted nursing leadership programs. They are also leading contributors of the Friends of UPEI group in Calgary which provides scholarships for Alberta students to study at the University of Prince Edward Island.
'Generosity and down-to-earth encouragement of students, faculty, and staff are their trademarks,' says Fred Hyndman. 'UPEI is a force that is capable of improving the lives of all Prince Edward Islanders, and positively affecting individuals and communities well beyond its shores. It is able to do so because of the extraordinary contributions of individuals like Bill and Denise Andrew.'
Bill and Denise Andrew Hall was officially named at a special ceremony during Convocation Week at UPEI. Students and faculty made presentations about the impact that the Andrew family's support has made on their education and research, and President Wade MacLauchlan unveiled a plaque that will be mounted in bronze in the main entrance to the residence.
Bill and Denise Andrew Hall was designed to provide quality accommodation that is quiet, spacious, and filled with natural light. Directly connected to the Wanda Wyatt Dining Hall, the residence offers a choice of one-, two-, or three-bedroom fully-equipped suites. It has significantly increased UPEI's capacity to host high-profile conferences, tournaments, and special events. Throughout the spring and summer months, it houses individuals and groups from across Canada and around the world. In June more than 400 members of the Federated Women's Institutes of Canada will call UPEI home, and in August campus residences will become the Athletes' Village for week two of the 2009 Canada Games.
Photo: Bill and Denise Andrew
