The family of the late Dr. Suzanne H.C. Irving, D.Litt '15, has made a $1-million gift in recognition of her contributions to the University of New Brunswick and its Board of Governors.
The Suzanne Irving Leadership Fund will support the activities of the Board, the development of leadership skills, and the strengthening and elevation of the university's governance. The funds were donated by Suzanne Irving's children, John Irving and Anne Oxley.
Photo caption; H. Wade MacLauchlan, Chancellor, UNB; Janet Hoyt, Chair, UNB Board of Governors; Anne Oxley; Kathy Wilson, Acting President and Vice Chancellor, UNB; and John Irving.
"Suzanne Irving understood that universities are key to helping our society grow and prosper," said UNB's Chancellor H. Wade MacLauchlan. "This memorial gift honours her legacy of wise leadership and skilled governance by investing in the leadership capacity of the Board of Governors."
Suzanne was born in Saint John, the daughter of Dr. Isaac Keillor Farrer and Mrs. Marjorie Cameron (Matheson) Farrer. A graduate of Saint John High School, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dalhousie University and became a registered radiology technician. She later returned to Dalhousie to earn a Bachelor of Education degree and was teaching when she married celebrated New Brunswick entrepreneur John Ernest (Jack) Irving.
She devoted her life to philanthropy and was awarded the Rotary Club's Paul Harris Fellow Award for her service in the community, which ranged from the boards of UNB and the New Brunswick Museum to support for the New Brunswick Symphony, Imperial Theatre, and New Brunswick Medical Education Trust.
Suzanne Irving was appointed by New Brunswick's Lieutenant Governor in Council to three terms on UNB's board of governors, beginning in the 1984-85 academic year and ending in 1992-93. She served with distinction, bringing a strong commitment to professionalism, wise leadership, and good governance that inspired board members to do their best for UNB. Her intelligence, humour, and graciousness made a lasting impression upon everyone who had the pleasure of working with her. In 2015, the university awarded her a doctor of letters degree in honour of her service.
"Our mother, Suzanne Irving, believed in the power of education and the importance of strong leadership. Through this fund, we hope to support future leaders who will help guide the University of New Brunswick for generations to come, while honouring her lifelong commitment to learning, service, and community," said John Irving.
The Suzanne Irving Leadership Fund was announced at a special recognition event during the Board of Governors meeting on Oct. 22. The Board unveiled a memorial plaque which will hang in the Chancellor's Room in the Wu Conference Centre in memory of Dr. Suzanne Irving and her family.
"The composition of UNB's Board of Governors is set out in provincial legislation, and generations of governors have brought leadership skills, and a sense of mission to manage our university wisely," Janet Hoyt, Chair of the Board of Governors said. "This fund will ensure that the Board can develop the leadership and governance skills of its members, strengthening our university."
The fund may be used to support education sessions for the full Board or to advance the technical work of Board committees such as audit or investments; to provide tuition for incoming Board chairs or vice chairs to attend training programs that prepare them for their leadership roles; to engage professional expertise to develop and recruit membership of the Board; to supply training for the professional staff supporting the Board; to acquire resource materials; to deliver governance training for Board members; or to develop a governance guide for board members, especially new members.
"UNB is deeply grateful to John Irving and Anne Oxley," said Dr. Kathy Wilson, Acting President and Vice Chancellor of UNB. "They are loyal and committed supporters of our university who have helped to shape its vision.
"They have ensured that the value their mother placed upon continuous improvement in leadership in service to the community will continue to inform our Board, benefiting UNB and New Brunswick for generations to come," Wilson said.
