Mir Centre exceeds endowment target
By Contributor
Selkirk College’s Mir Centre for Peace Speaker Series Endowment has exceeded its target of $200,000, thanks to the generosity and support of community members, organizations and companies.
Selkirk President Marilyn Luscombe made the public announcement at the Irving K. Barber Mir lecture featuring David Suzuki on September 22, 2010, and at a private donor reception that occurred prior to the event.
“Generous donors are here tonight that will help us reach our goal and bring us over the finish line,” said Luscombe. “It is our privilege to call upon representatives of Kootenay Savings Credit Union and recognize their donation of $25,000.”
Luscombe enthusiastically added “To cross the finish line, it’s our pleasure to call upon Mike Martin, General Manager of Teck Trail Operations … to recognize their $50,000 contribution.”
Representatives of Kootenay Savings Credit Union and Teck were present at the donor recognition reception that took place at the Mir Centre for Peace in Castlegar. The added donations brought the total of the endowment to $205,000–$5000 over the initial goal.
In addition to reaching the endowment target, the Mir Centre for Peace Lecture Series Campaign received a $100,000 boost from philanthropist Allan Markin of Alberta earlier this year. The donation is separate from the endowment and will be distributed in $20,000 increments over the next five years to support the Mir Centre for Peace Lecture Series and the Selkirk College student experience.
Although the one-year Mir Centre for Peace Lecture Campaign officially closed on International Day of Peace (September 21, 2010), donations are still being accepted. Luscombe is hoping that the endowment continues to grow.
“It’s not over yet,” she said. “Other individuals, organizations and companies have indicated that they would like to donate towards the Series as well. I expect that the endowment will reach the $250,000 mark in the very near future.”
The Mir Centre for Peace Speaker Series Endowment will provide for an annual return which will help make the Lecture Series affordable and accessible to the general public for years to come.
For more information on the Mir Centre for Peace Lecture Series, or to make a donation, visit www.selkirk.ca/mir/campaign.
