Supporting the experience of Indigenous and distance graduate business students
Posted: April 2, 2019 5:55 a.m.
Kenneth Levene LLD'17, shown above with President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Vianne Timmons, has made a donation to create the Kenneth Levene Streaming Studio and to launch the graduate Indigenous Pathways program. The U of R will be matching the donation. Photos: U of R Photography
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The latest donation from one of the University of Regina's key supporters will enhance accessibility for distance and Indigenous students and their participation in business graduate programs.
A recent donation of $100,000 from Kenneth Levene LLD'17 will outfit one of the Kenneth Levene Graduate
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| The main classroom for MBA and other master's-level classes in business will be outfitted with streaming equipment. |
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| The retired businessman and noted philanthropist has made several significant donations to the University, including one in 2005 to create the Kenneth Levene Graduate School of Business. |
School of Business classrooms with state-of-the-art streaming technology, and help launch a program to offer tailored support to Indigenous students who wish to pursue a graduate-level education.
Born and raised in Regina, Levene is a retired businessman and noted philanthropist. The Levene family owned and operated Crescent Furniture stores across southern Saskatchewan for three generations, with the company under Levene's direct leadership from 1962-1984. Levene credits his family for instilling in him the value of giving back. His parents, David and Margery Levene, were actively involved in the Regina community for many years with organizations including the Regina Rotary Club, the Salvation Army, and the National Council of Women. Levene continues his family's legacy today, supporting the community that fostered his business success, and helping to create opportunities for others.
In 2005, Levene made a $4 million donation to help create the University's graduate school of business - the Kenneth Levene Graduate School of Business. His contributions to the school and the Saskatchewan business community were recognized in 2017 when he was awarded an honorary degree from the U of R - the highest honour the University can bestow.
"The quality of the School's programming and the experience for our students are very important to me. I am happy to help the school to innovate and set students up for future success," said Levene.
This donation makes possible the creation of the Kenneth Levene Streaming Studio - a classroom outfitted with all necessary cameras, microphones, and software, to allow audio and video broadcasting to students anywhere with internet access.
Dr. Gina Grandy, Dean of the Levene Graduate School of Business, notes this donation by Levene responds to the changing needs of students.
"We have students and prospective students who live across the province, country, and around the world. Flexible delivery methods ensure that distance and time are eliminated as barriers to obtaining a master's degree from the Kenneth Levene Graduate School of Business," said Grandy.
Part of the donation will also help to launch the graduate-level Indigenous Pathways program. Offering support to Indigenous students through scholarships and tailored programming, the initiative will also create networking and community building opportunities.
"We are actively working with Levene students and First Nations University to identify the best ways to make an impact on the educational experience of Indigenous students," said Grandy, "This gift will allow us to identify new opportunities and incorporate Indigenous ways of knowing into our graduate programming."
Although in its infancy, the program helps to further the University's commitment to Indigenization and support of Indigenous students. Enhancing the impact that the gift will have on creating a more diverse and accessible programming, the U of R will match Levene's donation.
Related
Read the feature on Levene in the Spring/Summer 2017 issue of Degrees Magazine
Levene was an honorary degree recipient at the 43rd Spring Convocation ceremony
Learn more about the programs offered by the Kenneth Levene Graduate School of Business