Huestis Innovation Pavilion Recognizes Science Complex Lead Donors

Faye and David Huestis Provide Lead Gift to Acadia Science Complex Renewal

Huestis Innovation Pavilion recognizes largest gift to science building renovation project

Wolfville, NS, June 22, 2017 – Acadia University today announced that the Huestis Innovation Pavilion will form part of its $22.25 million Science Complex renewal project. Named in honour of lead donors, Faye and David Huestis of Saint John, New Brunswick, the Pavilion will be a key connection between Elliott and Huggins Halls, providing research and commercialization space that is well beyond Acadia’s current capacity. 

“Our gratitude to Faye and David Huestis is difficult to put into words,” said Ray Ivany, Acadia’s President and Vice-Chancellor. “This project is the largest in Acadia’s recent history and the impact will be felt by generations of students. The Huestis Innovation Pavilion will contain four new teaching labs, enhancing Acadia’s scientific infrastructure and will facilitate academic program growth. We simply could not have accomplished this project without the tremendous support of Faye and David.”

Lead Donors

The new Agri-Technology Access Centre in the Innovation Pavilion will provide companies and industry organizations with better access to specialized technology, lab space, subject-matter expertise and commercialization support services, strengthening their ability to become more productive and innovative. It will also enable Acadia to advance its applied research strength in a key priority sector – agriculture – and expand its successful technology transfer and commercialization activities. The Science Complex renewal project is supported by an investment of $15.98 million by the Federal and Provincial governments. 

“Acadia students, about 1,200 in my day, had a great esprit de corps, a positive attitude combined with a quiet tenacity, which enabled Acadia to be among the best universities in Canada – for academics and sports,” said David Huestis. “While the first-class professors and small classes were very beneficial, the true magic of Acadia for me was the friendships I made, the principles and values I learned, and the inspirations I gained from chapel services – for me and so many of my classmates, these helped establish a foundation for life which hopefully enabled each of us to make the world a better place. As an alumnus of Acadia University, I am pleased to have an opportunity to show my appreciation for the education I received and to invest in our outstanding university. The Science Complex Renewal and creation of the Innovation Pavilion inspired us to make a significant investment in an institution that has stayed true to its mission of promoting academic excellence and transforming young lives. Life is a trusteeship.  I am honoured to help assist future Acadia students become tomorrow’s leaders.” 

Graduating from Acadia in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, David Huestis is President and CEO of The Huestis Insurance Group, operating over 40 insurance agencies in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. As a volunteer and philanthropist, David is heavily engaged with commitments to his church, hospitals and healthcare organizations, and world scouting. He has served as Chair of several organizations, providing leadership and support at the highest level.

“Through the renewal of our science facilities at Acadia, we will intensify our applied research activities and engagement with rural-based small and medium-sized enterprises,” said Dr. Rod Morrison, Acadia’s Vice-President Advancement. “Increased research intensity will encourage innovation and entrepreneurship, and produce regional economic spin-offs. David has spoken fondly of his time at Acadia and the people who made a lasting impact on him. His deep interest in Acadia’s future is evident in his and Faye’s investment in this project and we are humbled by this gift.”

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