Fulford, Dewar donate to building campaign
Dr. Vera Dewar and the late Eileen (McMillan) Fulford have donated over $700,000, combined, towards the construction of a new building on campus that will house teaching and research facilities, and office space for the School of Nursing and the Department of Family and Nutritional Sciences, including the new kinesiology program.
Ms. Fulford's gift amounts to more than $400,000 and is part of a planned gift of over $1 million, the largest ever received by UPEI from an individual donor. Dr. Dewar's contribution to the building is $300,000 though she also supports other ongoing initiatives at UPEI.
Students, staff and faculty, donors, and alumni gathered in McMillan Hall, next to the building's future site, with Premier Robert Ghiz; UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan; and Chair of UPEI's Board Development, Fundraising, and External Relations Committee, Gordon MacKay, to celebrate the announcements with the McMillan family and Dr. Dewar. Current Nursing student, Angela Bryan, and Family Science major, Emma Gillis, also explained the impact that the new building will have on their educational experience at UPEI.
The event marked the official kick-off to the UPEI private sector campaign to secure the remaining $3.6 million-or one-third of the project costs-needed to fund this vital facility. The Government of Prince Edward Island is funding two-thirds of the project, $7.2 million, for a total construction cost of $10.8 million.
Premier Ghiz said, 'I'd like to thank anyone who has come forward to support this project and to urge all Islanders to think about how they can support this work. My government is proud to partner with UPEI in this step forward and I look forward to seeing Islanders put their support behind another great initiative at this great school.'
'A new facility for UPEI's School of Nursing and Family and Nutritional Science programs will be an important platform to address our future health-care needs and opportunities,' said UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan. 'Today, we are pleased to pay tribute to the Province for their commitment and to two leaders in health care and education, Vera Dewar and the late Eileen (McMillan) Fulford, for their donations.'
'This new facility will provide new and futuristic learning and teaching equipment, accommodate a Master of Nursing program, and allow the School to participate in research which will help improve health care on PEI and elsewhere,' commented Dr. Dewar. 'I am humbled and honoured to be part of this happy occasion. It is important that we do our part to make this new school possible.'
Fulford's brother, Dr. Colin McMillan said, 'To see Eileen's donation go towards this facility which will increase capacity for health learning and research is so fitting as throughout her lifetime, she supported health causes. Now, her legacy to health education will live through this gift to UPEI's new facility.'
MacLauchlan also revealed that just days ago, the family of C. Jean (Ross) MacKay had donated $50,000 to the campaign in her honour. He added, 'This campaign in support of excellence and innovation in learning is now under way!'
Construction of the 39,000-square-foot facility began in September and is expected to be completed in fall 2011. To donate to the capital campaign, click here or call 902-566-0354.
Eileen (McMillan) Fulford taught at the PEI School of Nursing and at Sir Sandford Fleming College where she became head of health sciences.
In 2006, she honoured her parents, Joseph McMillan and D. Eileen McMillan, and the entire McMillan family by creating a planned gift to UPEI. The courtyard at the W.A. Murphy Student is named McMillan Hall in recognition of her generosity.
Sadly, at the age of 64, Fulford lost her battle with cancer. When the School of Nursing and Department of Family and Nutritional Sciences building is completed, its largest classroom will be named in honour of this teacher, nurse, volunteer and philanthropist.
About Dr. Vera E. Dewar
Vera Elizabeth Dewar graduated from the PEI Hospital School of Nursing in 1956, obtained a Diploma in Teaching and Supervision in Schools of Nursing from Dalhousie University in 1958, received a Bachelor of Nursing degree from Dalhousie University in 1967, and was granted an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from UPEI in 2003.
Dewar was one of the pioneers who advocated for university-level education for nurses, and her efforts contributed to the opening of the UPEI School of Nursing in 1992. To this day, she is called on for advice, and to speak to students and faculty. In addition to today's major gift of $300,000 to the new building, she continues to support nursing education through the Dr. Vera E. Dewar Learning Resource Centre, and the Dr. Vera Elizabeth Dewar Graduate Nursing Scholarship.
About C. Jean (Ross) MacKay
Jean MacKay was born and raised in Roseberry, PEI and pursued an early career as a school teacher, later attending Prince of Wales College and the PEI School of Nursing. She was very proud of her nursing career and made life-long friends studying to be a nurse and practicing nursing at the Prince Edward Island Hospital.
MacKay was very active as a volunteer including long-time participation with the Park Royal United Church Women, leading and teaching Sunday school, and as long-time member of the IODE with many of her nursing friends. Jean is now 88 years old, and resides at the Garden Home in Charlottetown; her children, Gordon, Carole, Connie, Marilyn, and Lori, along with their families, are proud to make a gift towards the School of Nursing and Family and Nutritional Sciences building on her behalf, as she is not able to do it personally.
