> SFU receives record $12-million gift
SFU receives record $12-million gift
May 10, 2007
The new home of Simon Fraser University’s Faculty of Health Sciences
will be named Blusson Hall, thanks to a $12-million gift from Stewart
and Marilyn Blusson. It’s the largest private donation SFU has ever
received.
Blusson Hall is designed to encourage the interdisciplinary flow of ideas and activities among researchers and students in health science, arts, public policy and practice – all working together to address regional and global public health issues.
The building is prominently located at the eastern edge of SFU’s Burnaby campus. With about 11,700 square metres of classrooms, faculty offices, teaching labs and research labs, it will accommodate more than 800 new students.
The building will have a Level 3 containment laboratory for infectious disease research. The facility will allow scientists to work with live viruses and, through collaboration with policy experts and health care professionals, translate their findings into informed public health recommendations.
“Marilyn and I are interested in creating new approaches for solving big health issues,” says Stewart Blusson. “Rather than competing with larger research institutions with medical schools, SFU has strategically focused on research and education aimed at preventing disease, rather than just curing it. This can potentially improve the lives of millions of people around the globe.”
Blusson is President of Archon Minerals Ltd. His 1991 discovery of a diamond deposit in the Northwest Territories led to the creation of the country’s first operational diamond mine and spawned a burgeoning Canadian industry.
As a philanthropist, Blusson has been a generous supporter of research and education, having contributed to the University of British Columbia, Quest University Canada, the Vancouver Aquarium and ICORD (International Collaboration On Repair Discoveries).
He recently donated $10 million (US) to establish the largest medical prize in history, the Archon X Prize, which set off an international race to develop a quick and inexpensive way to sequence the human genome.
Says SFU President Michael Stevenson: “This incredibly generous gift provides a strong vote of confidence for the pioneering programs in our newest faculty. I appreciate Stewart and Marilyn’s vision and commitment to research and education that can have a profound effect on the world.”
A photo of the Blussons is available. Please e-mail csulymka@sfu.ca or call 604-291-3210.
Blusson Hall is designed to encourage the interdisciplinary flow of ideas and activities among researchers and students in health science, arts, public policy and practice – all working together to address regional and global public health issues.
The building is prominently located at the eastern edge of SFU’s Burnaby campus. With about 11,700 square metres of classrooms, faculty offices, teaching labs and research labs, it will accommodate more than 800 new students.
The building will have a Level 3 containment laboratory for infectious disease research. The facility will allow scientists to work with live viruses and, through collaboration with policy experts and health care professionals, translate their findings into informed public health recommendations.
“Marilyn and I are interested in creating new approaches for solving big health issues,” says Stewart Blusson. “Rather than competing with larger research institutions with medical schools, SFU has strategically focused on research and education aimed at preventing disease, rather than just curing it. This can potentially improve the lives of millions of people around the globe.”
Blusson is President of Archon Minerals Ltd. His 1991 discovery of a diamond deposit in the Northwest Territories led to the creation of the country’s first operational diamond mine and spawned a burgeoning Canadian industry.
As a philanthropist, Blusson has been a generous supporter of research and education, having contributed to the University of British Columbia, Quest University Canada, the Vancouver Aquarium and ICORD (International Collaboration On Repair Discoveries).
He recently donated $10 million (US) to establish the largest medical prize in history, the Archon X Prize, which set off an international race to develop a quick and inexpensive way to sequence the human genome.
Says SFU President Michael Stevenson: “This incredibly generous gift provides a strong vote of confidence for the pioneering programs in our newest faculty. I appreciate Stewart and Marilyn’s vision and commitment to research and education that can have a profound effect on the world.”
A photo of the Blussons is available. Please e-mail csulymka@sfu.ca or call 604-291-3210.