The Thompson Rivers University Foundation launched its annual campaign today at a breakfast for 300 donors, supporters and students.

“Last year the Foundation raised over $3 million – a new record in 29 years of raising funds for TRU,” said Paul Wright, TRU Foundation campaign chair as he addressed the early morning gathering. “Over half of that, $1.7 million, was raised from new and existing award donors, our fundraising events and our annual mail and calling campaigns. These funds represent contributions from thousands of loyal donors, many who are in the room today – a sincere thank you to all our supporters.”

Ron and Glenda Miles pledged $100,000 to start an endowment fund for TRU Bachelor of Arts students majoring in either English, French, Spanish, Geography, History or Philosophy.

One of the goals of this year’s campaign is to introduce the community to TRU’s next capital project, the revitalization of Old Main. Don Schmitt from Diamond and Schmitt Architects gave an overview of the firm’s plans for Old Main. The project includes 40,000 square feet of new learning space and will house Canada’s newest Faculty of Law. The roof lines for the design were inspired by Mount Peter and Paul. When complete in 2013, the addition of a third floor will make Old Main one of the most innovative buildings in the BC Interior.

Last year the Foundation was able to provide scholarships and bursaries to 1088 students. Alex Condon, a fourth-year student majoring in Economics and minoring in Philosophy was one of 1,088 students to receive a scholarship or bursary through the Foundation last year.

Condon also plays on the WolfPack baseball team and for two consecutive years received the Alvin and Lydia Grunert Scholarship which is awarded annually to the top domestic undergraduate student in each TRU faculty and school.

In his keynote address that paid tribute to his immigrant grandparents and his TRU WolfPack baseball coach, Condon said, “… it is up to us to pass on the opportunity and allow tomorrow’s aspiring leaders to stand on our shoulders and reach heights unimaginable to us. Reach for a better education, a better life, a better world. And as coach Ray (Chadwick) would say: ‘Shouldn’t every kid have the chance to play’, shouldn’t every student have the chance to learn?’ ”

One of the key funding announcements of the morning was from Ron and Glenda Miles. Ron was a founding faculty member who taught English at Cariboo College and finished his career as the Dean of Arts, Education and Social Work when he took medical leave in 1998. He retired in 2009 after running the Cultural Events program at TRU for 30 years. Ron and Glenda announced a $100,000 donation to start an endowment to fund a large bursary for a Bachelor of Arts student who is majoring in either English, French, Spanish, Geography, History or Philosophy. This is the largest contribution ever by a TRU faculty member.