The University of Regina today received a donation of $4 million to its Building Dreams and Futures fundraising campaign – the largest donation from an individual to the University. The gift was made by philanthropist and former Regina businessman Kenneth Levene. The funds will be used to develop, advance and promote the Faculty of Business Administration’s Graduate School of Business.

In recognition of the donation, the University of Regina’s Board of Governors is honouring Levene by naming the faculty’s Graduate School of Business the Kenneth Levene Graduate School of Business. Levene and his family operated a cornerstone of Regina’s business community for 55 years — Crescent Furniture — until its sale in 1984.

“All of my ancestors have now passed on, and so today, I dedicate my gift to my parents, David and Margery Levene, for the values and principles they imparted to me,” Levene said. “In addition, this gift serves to express my thanks to this city and province for affording our family the chance to pursue our dreams in a land of freedom and opportunity, and to show my appreciation for the loyalty of our many customers over the years, and the many friendships we enjoyed in the community.”

“The Levene family has a rich and important history of leadership in our community and this extraordinary expression of support will touch the lives of countless individuals,” says University of Regina President David Barnard. “Philanthropy is so fundamentally important in our society, and this gift illustrates the power of giving on a very personal level.”

The Faculty of Business Administration at the University of Regina is a centre of excellence for business and management education. In addition to the Kenneth Levene Graduate School of Business, it also includes the School of Business (undergraduate education) and the Centre for Management Development (non-credit management and professional education).

The Kenneth Levene Graduate School of Business offers three graduate management programs: Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Human Resource Management (MHRM), and, soon to be offered, the Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA). Levene will be a permanent member of the new Kenneth Levene Graduate School of Business advisory board, which will provide a valuable link to the business community. Board members will meet on a regular basis to discuss the activities, programs and needs of the business school.

“As someone whose heart will always lie here in my hometown of Regina and province of Saskatchewan, it is my fervent wish that this Graduate School of Business and its quest for excellence serve as a catalyst in creating an exciting new climate for the economic growth of this province,” Levene says.

“It’s a privilege to be associated with a man of character who also shares our belief in the importance of business education, economic development and entrepreneurship,” says Garnet Garven, dean of the Faculty of Business Administration. “The Levene family legacy will have a direct impact in so many ways — from helping to attract and retain outstanding students and professors, to strengthening and supporting outstanding teaching and research.”

Building Dreams and Futures is an ambitious campaign to raise funds for five priority areas of the University of Regina: the 2005 Canada Summer Games, student support, research support, the Centre for Kinesiology, Health and Sport, and emerging priorities. The projects and activities planned for those areas will cost a total of $75 million. To date, 75 per cent of that goal has been raised from through donations from individuals, corporations, and community organizations.

Information on the campaign and how to make a contribution is available at 1-866-667-7500 or www.uregina.ca/campaign.