U of C given biggest gift in its history

By Ryan Pike

Outgoing University of Calgary president Harvey Weingarten unveiled one of the biggest gifts in the university’s history Friday during his final report to the community.

Local businessman and Calgary Flames co-owner Harley Hotchkiss donated $39 million towards the creation of a $64 million endowment to further the work of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute. The other $25 million was donated by Hotchkiss’ long-time friend, legendary Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens.

“Harley Hotchkiss has been supporting brain research for probably a decade. He made a very significant gift about five years ago of $10 million to create the Hotchkiss Brain Institute and he, like most smart business people, has been watching what’s going on, [and] is liking what’s going on. He sees that there’s very good work coming out and so he was prepared to provide even more support– incredibly generous support,” said Weingarten.

In an interview with The Globe and Mail, Hotchkiss revealed his interest was originally piqued when a small aneurysm was discovered in his brain. Since then, he has had annual MRIs and developed a curiosity about the complexities of the brain.

“The main reason [for helping create the institute] was my appreciation for the importance of research and my almost amazement at the human brain and what it lets us do,” Hotchkiss told The Globe and Mail.

According to Weingarten, the endowment will go exclusively towards supporting the continuing work of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute. The fund will be set up in a manner designed to give flexibility to the director of the institute to best advance the work being done.

Hotchkiss continues a tradition of gifts by members of the Flames ownership group– Alvin Libin, Murray Edwards, the late Ralph Scurfield and the late J.R. “Bud” McCaig have all made contributions to the university, while Allen Markin announced plans to create an ethics centre in the near future.

“It’s just a statement that the people that own the Flames are leaders in the community and one of the ways that they express their leadership is by supporting things that are near and dear to them in terms of education and research coming out of the U of C,” said Weingarten.

Weingarten said the U of C’s growth has been fueled by community support. While large donations are very important, he noted the importance of every one of the U of C’s 9,000 donors last year– whether their donations were $25 or $25 million.

“Do you make a big deal out of a $39 million gift? Of course you do. But don’t minimize the 8,999 other donors who have also supported this university very generously,” said Weingarten.