Dr. Donald Rix and his daughter Laurie have donated $2.5 million to the University of British Columbia to create a first-of-its-kind professorship in rural teacher education.
The Eleanor Rix Professorship in Rural Teacher Education will examine how to best support and equip teachers for the unique challenges presented by teaching in rural communities.
Dr. Rix, founder of MDS Metro Laboratories and one of British Columbia’s leading benefactors, has given millions to boost health, education and the arts in B.C. This is the largest-ever gift to the UBC Faculty of Education.
“Educating outstanding teachers – the people who train the next generation of British Columbians – is critical,” says Dr. Rix, who is a UBC clinical professor emeritus of pathology. “UBC’s Faculty of Education is a centre of international excellence and we are delighted to provide this support.”
The B.C. Rural Education Task Force, established by the provincial government in 2003, found teachers and students in rural communities do not receive educational opportunities equal to those in urban areas. Rural settings provide unique challenges, including multi-grade classes, isolated communities, high turnover a lack of funding and fewer opportunities for professional development.
“This generous gift will help UBC provide leadership in rural teacher education and begin to address issues of educational access and opportunity for rural communities through B.C.,” says Rob Tierney, dean of the Faculty of Education. “The blueprints for rural teacher education that are developed here will be used in communities worldwide.”
Dr. Rix’s contribution boosts his total donations to UBC to date to almost $9.5 million. His previous donations have led to the Rix Bursary in Medicine and the B.C. Leadership Chair in Early Childhood Development. Dr. Rix has also significantly supported UBC Athletics, the Michael Smith Memorial Fellowship and the Program Office for Laboratory Management.
“Through these investments, Dr. Rix has helped to build a thriving culture of research and teaching at UBC,” Tierney says.
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