view . fall 2011
5
dear
viewer
ALAN WILDEMAN
President and Vice-Chancellor
Every fall issue of
VIEW
magazine includes a list of our donor groups, with the entire list
available online to show our appreciation to those who have partnered with the University
to build a stronger campus, enrich the student experience and ultimately, enhance our
community. Although we have traditionally referred to these individuals and organizations
as “donors,” other terms such as builders, investors and stewards are also often used to
describe how people’s generosity makes a difference.
I’d like to explore the notion of donations as investments because ultimately, these gifts are
about creating a return, and in this case, the returns to donors come in many ways.
Typically, investments are all about expectations. When you decide to make a financial
investment, the terms of your return are laid out for you by the bank or a broker. In the same
manner, when you plant a garden, you devote time, effort and energy knowing that your
return will look like the picture on the front of the seed packet.
Some may argue that charitable donations don’t fall under the category of “investments”
because there is no clearly defined expectation of receiving a return; it is a gift. However,
when you donate to the University of Windsor, I can assure you the outcome can be measured
in more tangible terms than just the sound of applause at convocation.
When you make an investment in education, you can expect great things to grow from
your donation. For example, more than 1,000 students benefitted from donor-funded
scholarships this year. Research shows us this funding will translate into 1,000 more people
who will make substantially higher career earnings, will tend to be healthier, live longer and
be more active citizens.
The Council of Ontario Universities reports that from 2004 to 2010, employment growth
for university graduates grew by 28%, outpacing all other levels of education. A labour study
by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada indicates that 87% of new jobs
created in professional and management occupations within the last 20 years were filled by
university graduates.
Your donation is making a difference, in many ways you are generating returns not only for
individual graduates, but also within the communities where they enjoy great success, both
personally and professionally through the contributions they are making toward industry,
the arts, the environment, and our social well-being. Take pride in the role your investment
has played, enabling new alumni to prosper and enrich communities not only in Canada, but
around the world.
In this issue, we have profiled some of our students, alumni, faculty and staff who are
strengthening their communities by applying their expertise, determination, commitment and
ingenuity where it is needed most. These stories provide a few examples of the solid returns
that can be expected with an investment in the University of Windsor.
I’d like to thank you for all of the generous investments you are making that truly multiply
across our campus and allow us to provide an exceptional student experience. Although
you may not expect a return, you are creating more UWindsor pride, economic prosperity,
personal fulfillment, and a better world for all of us.
Dr. Alan Wildeman
