Irving
Family Presents Unprecedented Gift to Acadia University
-The Living
Gift-
For Release: September 14 , 2002
(Wolfville,
NS) - Acadia University received an unprecedented gift
today as Arthur Irving passed over the keys to the K.C. Irving
Environmental Science Centre and the Harriet Irving Botanical
Gardens to President Kelvin Ogilvie at a ceremony held today.
“We are honoured and
thankful to have received this extraordinary gift,” said Dr. Ogilvie.
“The K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre and the Harriet Irving
Botanical Gardens are world-leading facilities the importance of
which will extend well beyond the borders of this campus.”
The gift was
purpose-built, fully equipped and fully funded by James, Arthur and
John Irving and their families.
“This gift is the
realization of our vision to create a special place in memory of our
parents,” said Arthur Irving. “Our parents would be very proud to
have a facility like this in their name where academic, scientific,
and personal growth are further enhanced in a natural setting. My
father would have been especially pleased that the K.C. Irving
Environmental Science Centre is a place where students, academics
and members of the community come together. My wife, Sandra, and
Hans Klohn have both worked tirelessly over the past four years on
this project and I very much appreciate their help and support.”
The doors were
officially opened today with a ribbon cutting ceremony followed by
an afternoon of musical entertainment and a barbeque. “We wanted to
share the presentation of this gift with the people for whom we
built it: the students, faculty and members of the public, and we
are pleased they joined us in our celebration,” said Mr. Irving.
“The K.C. Irving
Environmental Science Centre offers our faculty and students the
opportunity to conduct exciting and uniquely important environmental
research,” said Dr. Ogilvie. “There is no other such facility in
Canada and the research and conference facilities will create new
and innovative opportunities. From world-leading environmental
research to a place of great beauty, tranquility and repose, and an
important aspect of each student’s life, the K.C. Irving
Environmental Science Centre will cement Acadia University solidly
at the forefront of university education in the 21st century,”
concluded Dr. Ogilvie.
The K.C. Irving
Environmental Science Centre is a landmark 65,000 square foot
building with more than six acres of botanical gardens. Its purpose
is for the study of the natural environment, concentrating on the
ecology and native flora of the Acadia region. The building contains
state of the art research laboratories, greenhouses, a conservatory,
state-of-the-art auditorium, classrooms, conference meeting
facilities, and a spectacular Garden Room which serves as a special
meeting place.
The gardens are open
from 7:30 a.m. until sunset daily, and the building is open from
8:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. daily, 365 days a year.
All three Irving
brothers studied at Acadia. Since 1996, Arthur Irving has been
Chancellor of Acadia University. K.C. Irving attended Acadia
University in 1916 and 1917. Acadia University, considered one of
Canada’s premiere post-secondary institutions, provides students
with experiences that extend well beyond the classroom. In addition
to a dedicated and caring faculty, small classes and a challenging
curriculum, Acadia provides students with notebook computers to
facilitate access to the world’s information as part of their
undergraduate education. Acadia’s over 7000 internet connections
provide students with access to information at their preferred
locations on campus and give them the opportunity to use technology
instinctively. Acadia’s Residence Advantage program provides Acadia
students with the finest of accommodation and eating facilities. All
of these value-added programs, part of a Campus Master Plan for the
21st Century, have earned Acadia top rankings across all categories
of Maclean’s newsmagazine’s 2001 primary undergraduate reputational
survey.
-30-
For more information contact:
Sheri Woodland
Communications Manager
Office of Public Affairs
Acadia University
(902) 585-1362
Acadia
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