Laurier receives anonymous $2.5-million donation

An anonymous $2.5-million donation by an alumnus was made to Wilfrid Laurier University today. It’s the largest donation ever to the school and will be used to create a research chair in the environmental geography department according to a Laurier press release.

It will be known as the Dr. John McMurry Research Chair in Environmental Geography after the former Laurier professor and department head.

The first faculty member to sit will be professor Scott Slocombe, a Laurier faculty member since 1989.

“I am honoured to be named as the inaugural chairholder,” Dr. Slocombe said. “This research chair will help the Geography and Environmental Studies department to continue to attract top students from across Canada and abroad, and facilitate internationally recognized research.”

“This is the largest gift Laurier has ever received from one of its alumni,” said Rob Donelson, vice-president of university development and alumni relations. “For the Laurier community, this gift is important, not only because the donation itself is a milestone, but also because the gift reminds us all of Laurier’s stellar educators and researchers, both past and present.”

The donation and new research chair will be honoured at a special event on September 14.