New $60 million Brian Mulroney Institute of Government and Mulroney Hall first of its kind in Canada announced today at StFX University
ANTIGONISH, NS, Oct. 26, 2016 /CNW/ - St. Francis Xavier University President, Dr. Kent MacDonald, and the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, Canada's 18th Prime Minister, announced today the establishment of the Brian Mulroney Institute of Government and the construction of Mulroney Hall.
The $60 million project is the first-of-its-kind in Canada. With the highest quality of academics at its core, the Mulroney Institute of Government will offer a variety of undergraduate programming and research opportunities including a new four-year undergraduate degree in public policy and governance – typically only available at the graduate level. A cornerstone of the project includes an endowment that is in excess of $20 million for academic chairs and student scholarships and bursaries. These bursaries include a special $1 million bursary for Aboriginal Canadians.
A new facility called Mulroney Hall will provide new teaching, learning and research spaces. It is expected to be approximately 75,000 square feet and built to meet LEED Gold standards. Mulroney Hall will also contain 16 individual teaching/learning spaces made up of classrooms (ranging in size from 40 to 80 seats), computer labs, seminar rooms and a Centre for Teaching and Learning. It will also have one auditorium that will seat a minimum of 300 people and distributed throughout the building will be numerous Informal Learning Spaces.
Mulroney Hall will house the Mulroney Institute of Government, which will include an interactive exhibit displaying personal and historical artifacts, including letters from Nelson Mandela and other items chronicling Mr. Mulroney's tenure as Canada's 18th Prime Minister.
Known for its distinct culture and storied history of imbuing social justice, leadership and a curiosity about people and the world into its students and alumni, StFX University's values align perfectly to the Mulroney Institute of Government.
Mr. Mulroney, who graduated from StFX in 1959 with a degree in political science, is giving back to his alma mater in a significant way. He has raised $60 million for Mulroney Hall, a new building on the campus that will house the Mulroney Institute of Government. The province of Nova Scotia is contributing $5 million. The Institute will be known across Canada and internationally as a leader in higher education for public policy and governance.
"I have so many wonderful memories of my time at StFX," said the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney. "It's where I made lifelong friendships - and just as importantly, it set me on a course of lifelong learning, launching my career in politics, leadership, democratic values and public service. In that spirit I wanted to give back to StFX. This new Institute is aimed at teaching those important values, and graduating future generations of leaders."
"The Brian Mulroney Institute of Government and Mulroney Hall are outstanding additions - and contributions - not only to StFX, but to students across the province and the country, who have a deep and abiding interest in our democratic system, governance and social justice," said Dr. Kent MacDonald, President of StFX. "From the StFX Class of '59 to Canada's 18th Prime Minister, Brian Mulroney has never forgotten his alma mater. He embodies what it means to be a Xaverian. For that we are truly honoured - this is an outstanding legacy piece for all to share. I also want to thank the government of Nova Scotia for its continued partnership and generous contribution to this new program and building. It will have tremendous impact on the economy of our community and region."
Students will begin attending the Mulroney Institute of Government in 2017. Construction of Mulroney Hall will be completed late in 2018.
Many graduates of the program will go on to pursue graduate degrees, but the Mulroney Institute of Government will have prepared its graduates for jobs in the fields of politics, public service, social justice and activism, working for an NGO and all types of community leadership.
The distinct liberal arts university in Antigonish has a remarkable record of graduating not only a Prime Minister but premiers, senators, judges, indigenous leaders, senior public servants, MPs and members of provincial legislatures across the country.
The StFX community was joined by Mr. Mulroney's family, national political, business and community leaders, including the Hon. Frank McKenna, Deputy Chair of TD Group, former Canadian Ambassador to the United States, and former Premier of New Brunswick; also Hon. Randy Delorey, MLA for Antigonish and Nova Scotia Minister of Finance.
SOURCE St. Francis Xavier University
Ms. Cindy MacKenzie, Manager of Media Relations, St. Francis Xavier University, 902-867-2401, 902-872-0612, Instagram: stfxuniversity, Facebook: Facebook.com/stfxuniversity
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