The University of New Brunswick (UNB) and The McKenna Institute are pleased to announce $1 million in commitments from Sackville, N.B. business and community leaders Jane and Mike Wilson in support of digital sustainability, environmental sustainability, excellence in engineering and digital literacy education for children.
The Jane and Michael Wilson Family Foundation Inc. will provide $200,000 toward the recently opened Allison D. McCain Commons; $300,000 to establish the Wilson-McKenna Fellow in Digital Sustainability and $500,000 to help expand UNB's Promise Partnership peer to peer after-school mentoring program, where their investment will ensure that rural students have equal access to programming that helps build foundational skills in literacy, numeracy and digital literacy.
"Through their family foundation, Mike and Jane Wilson have made transformative investments in the sustainability of New Brunswick communities and vital public services such as health and education," said UNB president and vice chancellor Dr. Paul J. Mazerolle. "I think it is incredibly fitting that on the 50th anniversary of Mike's graduation from UNB's engineering program, they have made investments that will strengthen engineering and foster sustainability and innovation for decades to come. We are deeply grateful for this vote of confidence in UNB's strategic vision."
The Allison D. McCain Commons is the first of a series of planned renovations that will transform Head Hall into a state-of-the-art facility for 21st century engineering research and education. UNB officially opened the Commons at a gala event on May 27.
The Wilson-McKenna Fellow in Digital Sustainability focuses on the power of technology to further enhance environmental, social and governance (or ESG) reporting for organizations across the globe. The Fellow examines and promotes ESG through a digital lens, contributing to the development and teaching of new curriculum around digital sustainability. The inaugural Wilson-McKenna Fellow, Dr. David Foord, is already adding courses on ESG to the faculty of management curriculum, ensuring that sustainability will be part of every UNB management graduate's skillset going forward.
The Promise Partnership is a key component of UNB's Integrated Health Initiative (IHI). One of the mandates of the IHI is prioritizing research that has social, economic and community impacts. Increasing opportunities for children and youth in high-priority neighborhoods is the backbone of the Promise Partnership.
Beginning in 2009 as a literacy initiative led by UNB Saint John volunteers and local youth, the partnership evolved into a formal initiative that provides K-12 students with educational resources and mentoring.
The Promise Partnership advances literacy, numeracy and digital literacy in communities by working closely with local schools and organizations. This year, the partnership expanded its reach to Moncton thanks to the support of the Joyce Family Foundation and the Wesley and Patricia Armour Foundation, acting in conjunction with the McKenna Institute. The Jane and Michael Wilson Family Foundation's half-million-dollar gift will build on these foundational investments to ensure the Promise Partnership can reach more students in more communities in rural areas around Moncton.
Jane Wilson, president of The Jane and Michael Wilson Family Foundation Inc., said the range of investments covered by the gift reflects the couple's interests and their confidence in UNB to lead and facilitate change.
"As an engineering alumnus, Mike was pleased to support the renovation of Allison D McCain Commons," said Wilson. "We are also very excited to support the Promise Partnership initiative in extending the benefits of digital literacy opportunities to our rural schools in southeastern New Brunswick. It feels good to help those close to home."
Madison Bell, Moncton Program Manager for The Promise Partnership, said "I would like to express my immense gratitude to the Wilsons for their generous contribution, which will help us grow our programs in the greater Moncton area and expand our reach to additional rural locations."
"With the McKenna Institute and our donors, the Promise Partnership is providing digital literacy and equitable access beyond our reach in Saint John, where the program began, to other communities in partnership with local schools and organizations as part of the IHI mandate to improve the overall health of our province." said Bell.
Founded in 2021, The McKenna Institute builds upon the life's work of its benefactor, The Honourable Frank McKenna, PC, OC, ONB, QC, serving as a catalyst and a connector for academia, industry and government to foster a globally competitive digital economy and society.
