Providence University College & Theological Seminary’s IMPACT 2020 campaign has boosted its target to $16.5 million. Already the biggest fundraising initiative in the institution’s history at the previous goal of $12.5 million, the $4 million increase represents an opportunity for further support following a June 2017 fire that destroyed the Bergen Hall residence.
The Board of Governors unanimously approved the new financial objective at a special session on January 18. The time frame of IMPACT 2020 will remain unchanged, with donations and pledges to be received by April 30, 2020.
Advanced into its public phase and officially launched in September 2016, IMPACT 2020 has so far raised more than $11.3 million in gifts and pledges. This support has already yielded new science programming and laboratory facilities, the Buller School of Business, a Welcome Centre that houses student services, a landscaped courtyard, enhancements to employee compensation, faculty recruitment and an endowment fund to serve students through scholarships and bursaries. Additionally, a campus accessibility project is ongoing, and Providence looks forward to being barrier-free.
All initial IMPACT 2020 projects will also be completed, positioning Providence to be identified among Canada’s foremost Christian universities.
Plans to construct a new, state-of-the-art and environmentally friendly residence facility are also underway.
The loss of Bergen Hall left Providence needing residence space, particularly given consecutive years of enrollment growth. The upcoming Living and Learning Centre will house 130 beds and provide an innovative, holistic program of spiritual, social and academic growth for Providence students.
The increased IMPACT 2020 goal will allow Providence supporters to partner with the institution in developing a residence that furthers a vision to be “a learning community that transforms students into leaders of character, knowledge and faith, to serve Christ in a changing world.”
Providence President Dr. David H. Johnson says: “We are overwhelmed by the generous support of our Providence friends. I thank God every day for the provision of these added resources. The success of the IMPACT 2020 campaign has generated a new spirit of service on campus, and it has caused more students to look at Providence as a viable alternative in their choices of post-secondary education.”
