After nine years of collecting donations, the University of Saskatchewan’s ‘Be What the World Needs’ campaign has almost reached its $500 million goal.

Cheryl Hamelin, Vice President of University Relations, says with one year left to go, the university has raised just over $428 through more than 93,000 donations. “It’s very heavily weighted on alumni, which is wonderful. We do have about 1400 individuals who have made gifts to the campaign throughout the campaign period, hundreds of corporations, and about 400 foundations, as well,” she explains. “The $500 million goal is the most ambitious goal that we’ve ever had for the University of Saskatchewan, and in fact is the largest campaign in the history of Saskatchewan for any institution, hospital or social agency.”

Once raised, the money will go towards four main initiatives: critical research, Indigenous achievement, student success and new visionary spaces. For example, an alumni couple in their 90s from Vancouver donated to the critical research initiative by funding a research chair in critical mineral systems. “It was over a $3 million donation in honour of their time at the University of Saskatchewan and in honour of the gentleman’s career as a world-renowned geologist.”

One of the initiatives hoping to receive funding from the campaign is the transformation of the Engineering Building through the Innovation, Design, Engineering, and Applied Sciences, or IDEAS, Expansion. The project aims to provide a facility that encourages focused study and the exchange of ideas and creativity. The space will also be used for STEM programs for students from grades 8 to 12, as well as for youth summer camps. Dean of the College of Engineering Dr. Carey Simonson says roughly $5 million has been donated to the $90 million project so far. He adds that engineers are a vital asset in nearly every sector, and he hopes this campaign can one day provide engineering students with a place to learn, work, and collaborate with each other.