Rath Professorship in Entrepreneurship established at Acadia

Endowed professorship in the F.C. Manning School of Business created by Nova Scotia philanthropist Stuart Rath

A new endowed professorship in Acadia University’s F.C. Manning School of Business has been created through an extraordinary gift to the University from Truro businessman and philanthropist Stuart Rath. The endowment will provide substantial direct support to the incumbent as well as an annual research stipend. The professorship will benefit Acadia students through the sharing of knowledge from expert faculty, research opportunities, and support for direct engagement with the business community.

Fourth-year Business student Brennan McCarthy thanks Mr. Roth.

Fourth-year business student Brennan McCarthy thanks Mr. Rath and his family for their support.

“We are deeply grateful to Mr. Rath for this wonderful gift,” said Ray Ivany, President and Vice-Chancellor of Acadia. “Stu is one of Nova Scotia’s most successful entrepreneurs, and we are honoured to have his name attached to Acadia through the Rath Professorship in Entrepreneurship. We are excited to know that students in Acadia’s Fred C. Manning School of Business will benefit from exposure to the latest theory and practice of entrepreneurship. Furthermore, Stu’s incredible legacy of giving back to his community will also inspire our students to reflect deeply on the relationship between business success and the well-being of our society. We are humbled by Stu’s gift and his belief in the value of an Acadia education.”


Having started his business career in banking, Rath has had several business interests, including a successful cable television business, airport environmental services, a wholesale and office supply company, an ice company, and a range of commercial and residential property developments. A true entrepreneur, he has also been involved in standard-bred horse racing and breeding and owns the Truro Jr. A Bearcats hockey team.


“While I did not have the benefit of a university education myself, I believe strongly in what Acadia offers its students,” says Rath. “I know the university through my son, daughter-in-law, granddaughter and stepdaughter; all graduates of this fine institution. I have witnessed the strong leadership of Ray Ivany over the past several years and felt that the time was right to show my appreciation.”


“The Rath Professor will bring added prestige to a critical aspect of business education at Acadia,” said Acting Vice-President Academic, Dr. Heather Hemming. This gift will enable us to recognize an outstanding professor and to provide annual funds to support innovative research. The establishment of the Rath Professorship in Entrepreneurship marks a new chapter in the development of business studies at Acadia.”


“We are tremendously fortunate that Mr. Rath chose to make this extraordinary gift to Acadia,” said Dr. Rod Morrison, Acadia’s Vice-President Advancement. “It enables the Manning School of Business to support a faculty position dedicated to a field close to Mr. Rath’s heart. Our profound thanks to Stuart Rath for his vision and leadership in creating this prestigious faculty appointment.”


About Acadia University
Acadia University, in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, has long been recognized as one of Canada's premier post-secondary institutions. With its nationally and internationally recognized undergraduate and graduate research initiatives, small classes, and technology-rich teaching and learning environment, Acadia offers students an experience that includes academic achievement combined with personal growth and development. Acadia also offers distance learning, certificate programs, language training and other university extension programs through Open Acadia. For more information about Acadia University, visit our website at http://acadiau.ca

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