2011-2012
News Release
REF NO.: 190
SUBJECT: Elaine Dobbin gives major gift to Memorial University’s Faculty of Medicine
DATE: May 23, 2012
A major gift from philanthropist Mrs. Elaine Dobbin to Memorial University’s Faculty of Medicine was announced today.
This significant donation is being made in support of medical education and genetics research at Memorial. It has been made in the name of Mrs. Dobbin’s late husband, Dr. Craig L. Dobbin. The gift will support undergraduate student bursaries, graduate student scholarships, two post-doctoral fellowships and a research fund in the Faculty of Medicine.
In recognition of this gift, Dr. Gary Kachanoski, Memorial’s president and vice-chancellor, announced that the university’s new centre for interdisciplinary research in human genetics will be formally named the Craig L. Dobbin Genetics Research Centre. This centre is scheduled to open in Memorial’s expanded Faculty of Medicine in 2014.
“It is through the generosity of philanthropists like Elaine Dobbin that we are able to develop the facilities and resources required to attract the highly qualified people we need to drive innovative research and development in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Dr. Kachanoski. “This gift is an investment in our future, and will continue to position Memorial – and this province – as a global destination of choice for talented academics, students and staff. I thank Mrs. Dobbin for her generosity.”
Dr. James Rourke, dean of medicine, said the gift from Mrs. Dobbin will support scholarships and genetics research, particularly in the areas of autism and pulmonary fibrosis.
“This means we will have the capacity to do more of the interdisciplinary research that focuses on the unique needs and opportunities for health research in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Dr. Rourke.
About Memorial University of Newfoundland
Founded in 1925 as a memorial to Newfoundland’s war dead, Memorial University College was elevated to degree-granting status in 1949 as Memorial University of Newfoundland. Today, the university is the largest in Atlantic Canada, with about 18,000 students. Memorial provides excellent undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in virtually all disciplines. With locations in St. John’s and Corner Brook in Newfoundland, Happy Valley-Goose Bay in Labrador, the French-owned island of Saint-Pierre and Harlow in England, Memorial is committed to experiential learning. The university’s many interdisciplinary programs abound with opportunities for experiential learning, ranging from on-campus employment to work terms around the world.
Outstanding research and scholarship, extraordinary teaching and a focus on community service are the university’s hallmarks. Many teaching and research activities reflect our mid-North Atlantic locations; these unique settings and our cultural heritage have led to the creation of highly-regarded academic programs and specialized facilities in areas such as music, linguistics, folklore and human genetics, as well as earth sciences, cold-ocean engineering, rural health care and archaeology. For more information about Memorial University of Newfoundland, please go to www.mun.ca.
About Dare To: The Campaign for Memorial University
Memorial University of Newfoundland is undertaking a $50-million private sector campaign as part of an overall redevelopment program totalling more than $250 million. Dare To focuses on student financial support, academic excellence and physical infrastructure. Investment in these three key areas will position Memorial as a destination of choice for academics, students, and staff from around the world. For more information on the campaign, please visit www.dareto.ca.
REF NO.: 190
SUBJECT: Elaine Dobbin gives major gift to Memorial University’s Faculty of Medicine
DATE: May 23, 2012
A major gift from philanthropist Mrs. Elaine Dobbin to Memorial University’s Faculty of Medicine was announced today.
This significant donation is being made in support of medical education and genetics research at Memorial. It has been made in the name of Mrs. Dobbin’s late husband, Dr. Craig L. Dobbin. The gift will support undergraduate student bursaries, graduate student scholarships, two post-doctoral fellowships and a research fund in the Faculty of Medicine.
In recognition of this gift, Dr. Gary Kachanoski, Memorial’s president and vice-chancellor, announced that the university’s new centre for interdisciplinary research in human genetics will be formally named the Craig L. Dobbin Genetics Research Centre. This centre is scheduled to open in Memorial’s expanded Faculty of Medicine in 2014.
“It is through the generosity of philanthropists like Elaine Dobbin that we are able to develop the facilities and resources required to attract the highly qualified people we need to drive innovative research and development in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Dr. Kachanoski. “This gift is an investment in our future, and will continue to position Memorial – and this province – as a global destination of choice for talented academics, students and staff. I thank Mrs. Dobbin for her generosity.”
Dr. James Rourke, dean of medicine, said the gift from Mrs. Dobbin will support scholarships and genetics research, particularly in the areas of autism and pulmonary fibrosis.
“This means we will have the capacity to do more of the interdisciplinary research that focuses on the unique needs and opportunities for health research in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Dr. Rourke.
About Memorial University of Newfoundland
Founded in 1925 as a memorial to Newfoundland’s war dead, Memorial University College was elevated to degree-granting status in 1949 as Memorial University of Newfoundland. Today, the university is the largest in Atlantic Canada, with about 18,000 students. Memorial provides excellent undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in virtually all disciplines. With locations in St. John’s and Corner Brook in Newfoundland, Happy Valley-Goose Bay in Labrador, the French-owned island of Saint-Pierre and Harlow in England, Memorial is committed to experiential learning. The university’s many interdisciplinary programs abound with opportunities for experiential learning, ranging from on-campus employment to work terms around the world.
Outstanding research and scholarship, extraordinary teaching and a focus on community service are the university’s hallmarks. Many teaching and research activities reflect our mid-North Atlantic locations; these unique settings and our cultural heritage have led to the creation of highly-regarded academic programs and specialized facilities in areas such as music, linguistics, folklore and human genetics, as well as earth sciences, cold-ocean engineering, rural health care and archaeology. For more information about Memorial University of Newfoundland, please go to www.mun.ca.
About Dare To: The Campaign for Memorial University
Memorial University of Newfoundland is undertaking a $50-million private sector campaign as part of an overall redevelopment program totalling more than $250 million. Dare To focuses on student financial support, academic excellence and physical infrastructure. Investment in these three key areas will position Memorial as a destination of choice for academics, students, and staff from around the world. For more information on the campaign, please visit www.dareto.ca.
- 30 -