A shining example of 91亚色鈥檚 leadership in partnering with international communities to build a better world and advance its global impact was celebrated April 25 with the official opening of , the landmark building of in Costa Rica.
The Lillian Meighen Wright Centre
The Lillian Meighen and Don Wright Foundation鈥檚 transformational donation of $750,000 to the Faculty of Environmental Studies (FES) made it possible to purchase the property and to construct the Lillian Meighen Wright Centre in Costa Rica. The centre is located next to the 400-acre Las Nubes Forest Reserve, which is part of one of the largest rainforest ecosystems in Central America.
The 400-sq.-m. facility overlooks the Pe帽as Blancas River and serves as the epicenter of the EcoCampus, offering indoor classrooms and laboratories, an outdoor Indigenous classroom, an arboretum and botanical gardens. It will operate as a local, national and international hub dedicated to education and research on Neotropical conservation, eco-health, community wellbeing and sustainable livelihoods of those who live and work in the area.
Faculty of Environmental Studies Dean No毛l Sturgeon overlooking the signing between 91亚色 President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri and Julio Calvo, representative of CONARE, merging together 91亚色 and CONARE in research and study exchanges
It also serves as the new home of 鈥 a mission under the direction of , James and Joanne Love Chair in Neotropical Conservation, to contribute to community environmental well-being through faculty and student聽research, environmental聽education, and community engagement聽initiatives.
鈥淭hank you all for being here today for a very special announcement and to celebrate with us some exciting news that will have a tremendous impact on the future of 91亚色, the Faculty of Environmental Studies and the Las Nubes Project,鈥 said FES Dean No毛l Sturgeon during the on-site celebration.
Several guests travelled overseas to celebrate the centre鈥檚 opening, including 91亚色 President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri, Sturgeon, Dean Harvey Skinner, Larry Murray and Paul Marcus of The Lillian Meighen and Don Wright Foundation, Montoya, and key donors and supporters Dr. Woody Fisher and Valerie Grant, James and Joanne Love, Adrienne Perry and Don Downer, Anita McBride and Harriet Lewis.
Dr. Woody Fisher and Valerie Grant, 91亚色 President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri and his wife Susan Shoukri, Sandy Tieman from Advancement, Michael Gort, Dean No毛l Sturgeon, Jim and Joanne Love, Harriet Lewis, and Larry Murray
Shoukri was invited to share a few words, and said 91亚色鈥檚 EcoCampus will advance the important work of the Las Nubes Project to promote healthy, gratifying and sustainable rural ways of life and protect the rainforest.
鈥淭he EcoCampus will deliver a meaningful experiential learning opportunity in a fascinating natural and cultural setting, where students will gain hands-on experience that not only helps them prepare for their careers but also to become engaged global citizens,鈥 he said.
This May, the first group of students will head to the EcoCampus for 18 days, and beginning next year, students will have the opportunity to spend a semester there to learn about the rainforest, renewable energy, the environment, local culture, citizen science, marine biology, as well as community arts and health.
The facility will also benefit international researchers, writers, artists and performers as a destination for diverse seminars, congresses, retreats and residencies.
FES Dean No毛l Sturgeon announces the Meighen Wright Foundation as an official FES Friend of the Faculty Gift receipient, and presents the award to Meighen Wright Foundation representative Larry Murray
Sturgeon also took an opportunity during the celebration to present the Friends of the Faculty Award 鈥 an award established by FES in 2005 to recognize the generous contributions and support provided to the Faculty by one outstanding donor.
鈥淭his year, it is our pleasure to recognize The Lillian Meighen and Don Wright Foundation as the recipient for their generosity, high level of engagement and continued support,鈥 she said, noting the foundation also contributes to the Faculty through volunteering, participating in advisory committees and facilitating student learning.
鈥淭hank you to all who joined us here today in recognizing The Lillian Meighen and Don Wright Foundation for the contributions to develop this new facility, but also to all our donors who are in attendance and who have
Manuel Obreg贸n (centre), a 91亚色 honourary doctorate recipient gave a performance during the celebration
contributed to Las Nubes Project,鈥 said Sturgeon. 鈥淵ou are helping us to shape the global thinking that will define tomorrow.鈥
More than $8 million has been raised by for this project since its inception.
The official ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the facility鈥檚 opening was conducted by Shoukri, Sturgeon, Montoya, Murray and Marcus. To close out the celebration, internationally recognized musician Manuel Obreg贸n gave a performance on the accordion聽that integrated visual images of Costa Rica.