The University of British Columbia today announced that Canaccord Capital has made a $1.5 million gift to establish a new learning commons at the Sauder School of Business David Lam Management Research Library. The gift honours Canaccord chairman and founder Peter Brown, a Vancouver business leader and former chair of the UBC Board of Governors.
The establishment of the new learning commons is part of the school’s proposed $65 million expansion of the existing Sauder School of Business facility at UBC. The upgrade includes new space for graduate programs and the addition of 55,000 square feet to the existing 267,000 square-foot building.
“Thanks to this generous gift from Canaccord Capital,” says UBC President Stephen J. Toope, “we will be able to create much-needed new learning space for our business students. This will be a key element in the Sauder School’s plans to radically upgrade its learning facilities and implement its innovative vision for the future of business education.”
The Canaccord gift will create a revitalized space of learning and research for students, faculty, researchers and community members that expands the notion of the library beyond its traditional borders — incorporating new technologies and innovative physical spaces. The new facility will be named The Canaccord Learning Commons.
“This new learning commons at the Sauder School of Business will provide business students with an enriched academic environment and an incredibly valuable educational resource,” says Brown.
“By establishing a leading-edge learning commons, the School will continue to strengthen the resources we provide to students and the business community, here in Canada and around the world,” says Daniel F. Muzyka, Dean of the Sauder School of Business.
Brown has served as chair of the Vancouver Stock Exchange, BC Place Corporation, and BC Enterprise Corporation. He was also Vice Chairman of Expo ’86 Corporation. In 2003, he was awarded the Order of British Columbia in recognition of his fundraising efforts for various B.C. charities and organizations, as well as the vital role he has played in financing hundreds of B.C. businesses. In May of 2005, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws from UBC.
The Sauder School of Business at UBC is Canada’s leading academic business school, recognized globally for its contributions to the transformation of business practices, innovative research and teaching.
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