Wolfville, NS (November 13, 2020) – In recognizing Acadia University’s 182nd birthday and National Philanthropy Day, President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Peter Ricketts and Campaign Chair Nancy McCain announced that the Campaign for Acadia has exceeded its $75-million target.

Acadia launched the public phase of its most ambitious fundraising effort ever in October 2018 to address four fundamental themes: Transform, Inspire, Discover, and Build. Since the public phase launch, Acadia has hosted more than 200 Campaign-related events, and the response from alumni and friends has been enthusiastic and generous.

Despite the challenging circumstances of the pandemic that brought much of the world to a halt in March 2020, donors continued to find value in giving to Acadia and its students, faculty, and campus. The Campaign has raised more than $80 million to date and will continue to count new gifts and pledges until the end of December 2020.

Dr. Ricketts expressed his gratitude to all who contributed. “Each gift is invaluable and will have a meaningful impact on our students, faculty, staff, researchers, and the ongoing development of our campus infrastructure,” he said. “As we transition toward implementing our Acadia 2025 strategic plan, our position in the post-secondary milieu is strengthened by thousands of Campaign for Acadia donations from our loyal and generous donors. I’d like to applaud and personally thank our alumni, friends, foundation and corporate partners for their investment in Acadia. You have all made us better, and your gifts will bring tremendous and lasting benefits to our students.”

Thank you to alumni, donors, and friends

Campaign Chair Nancy McCain (’82) echoed Ricketts’ sentiments, expressing her personal gratitude to the thousands of people who supported the Campaign.

She acknowledged the leadership and support of Dr. Ricketts and all the members of the Campaign Cabinet, a diverse and accomplished group of alumni from around the world who were dedicated to meeting and exceeding the Campaign goal. She also thanked Vice-President, Advancement Dr. Rod Morrison, Campaign Director and Executive Director of Philanthropy Nancy Handrigan (’92), and the Acadia Advancement team.

“The Campaign was such a positive experience on all fronts,” McCain said. “We had an exceptional group of Acadia volunteers and staff. This was an outstanding team effort and a huge thank-you is very much in order to everyone who worked relentlessly to exceed our goal. All of you contributed in whatever capacity you could to further the goals of the Campaign. I think we hit it out of the ballpark. It’s a wonderful chapter in Acadia’s story.”

Long-lasting impact

Students, faculty, staff and Acadia’s campus will all benefit from the Campaign, said Dr. Rod Morrison.

“The success of the Campaign represents an extraordinary margin of opportunity for Acadia, enabling us to accomplish things that are beyond the scope of our usual operations. Some of these are quite visible: the renovation of our science facilities, for example, or the transformation of Patterson Hall into the home of the Manning School of Business.

“Other investments,” Morrison said, “are less conspicuous but equally impactful, such as millions of dollars in restricted endowments for new student awards and support for teaching, research and academic programs. What they share is an enormous contribution to Acadia’s long-term sustainability and the enhancement of the student experience.”

Gifts to the Campaign will continue to be gratefully accepted until the end of December 2020. For more information about Campaign for Acadia, its many success stories, and how to give, please visit campaign.acadiau.ca.