Create a lasting legacy today: you can make a gift that lasts forever by establishing an endowment. You may choose to name the fund for yourself, your family, or for an individual you would like to honour who has given their consent.
Major Benefactors
Since 1886 benefactors have made possible key projects, ventures, and student support initiatives. We invite you to explore our donors and why they choose to support the Faculty of Engineering.
Implementing meaningful initiatives, developing life changing innovations, conducting groundbreaking research: the one constant in all these crucial activities is the involvement and contributions of our dedicated alumni. Thanks to your support, we are facing tomorrow’s challenges, today.
Meet Our Supporters
Zhu Liu and Liying JiangZhu (Joe) Liu (MEng’01) and Liying Jiang (MEng’03) met at McGill while studying for their master’s degrees in civil engineering. Now they’re giving back to their alma mater by focusing on young women setting out to earn an engineering degree. |
Peter Guo-hua FuAlumnus Peter Fu’s landmark gift to the Peter Guo-hua Fu School of Architecture will enable new generations of students to expand the boundaries of their learning. “Buildings are like trees,” explains Dr. Peter Guo-hua Fu (DipMinHouse ’91) during a sushi lunch in Montreal. “They have a visible part, but they also must have roots that connect to the other buildings around them.” |
Dr. Yan P. LinDr. Yan P. Lin’s decision to leave China in pursuit of a new life resulted in a fortuitous and fluid career path inspired by ancient Greece. Stirred by the philosophies and principles of the Ancient Greeks whom he had discovered while an undergraduate student in China, Dr. Yan P. Lin (PEng’92), made a decision to embark on an adventure of his own. |
Djati Walujo remembers that before he came to study at McGill, a visiting US politician referred to Jakarta as a “big village.” It was a statement that Walujo didn’t necessarily disagree with: modernization had not yet arrived in the largely agrarian nation. “Indonesia was a developing country at the time. Spending time in Canada and at McGill opened both my eyes and my horizons.” |
By taking only as much as he needed, John Bishop (BEng ’47) found a way to give much to others, including multiple gifts to the Faculty of Engineering. It is proof of his commitment not only to his alma mater, but also to the environmental causes that have defined his life. |
Andrew Benedek (BEng’66, Hon. DSc’05) is convinced that the power of science can create a better future for humanity. Together with Diana Mourato-Benedek (BSc ’81, MEng’83, PhDEng ’90), his philanthropy has brought research into water purification in the Faculty of Engineering to a new level. |
Mohammed Faris (BEng '59, MEng '62) believes in the interconnectedness of disciplines—for him, education, the arts, business and science all contribute to a healthy society. This spirit of giving touched the lives of students in the Faculty of Engineering this year with his remarkable $1 million dollar contribution to the Faculty’s Student Initiative Funds, part of the Empower program. |
Alumnus Les Vadasz (BEng’61), one of the founders of the world renowned technology company Intel, made a major gift to the Faculty of Engineering in 2006. His generous contribution provided a huge boost to the MEDA program, inspiring others to help build the fund. During his visit to McGill, Vadasz spoke to us about his early years in the Faculty of Engineering, his views on management and entrepreneurship, and what motivates the enduring relationship with his Alma Mater |
When Marika Zelenka Roy made her seminal gift in 2008, it set off changes that helped establish the Department of Bioengineering in the Faculty of Engineering, thus beginning a new philanthropic journey for her—one more adventure to chalk up in an already eventful life. |
Alumnus Lorne Trottier’s support for the Trottier Institute for Sustainability in Engineering and Design is part of multi-pronged approach to combatting climate change. For Dr. Lorne Trottier (BEng’70, MEng’73, DSc’06) it all started when he was 11 years old: “I would visit a friend’s while he was building all sorts of electronic gadgets,” he recalls. |
When he is not banging out guitar licks with his rock band, tech entrepreneur Pat Di Pierro (BEng’76, MBA’80) supports young innovators from the Faculty of Engineering. He established the first Innovation Fellowship Award this year; his contribution to making sure that great tech ideas of the Faculty of Engineering stay in Montreal.“Montreal has an ecosystem of universities that produces a lot of innovation. |
Brian Hirst (BEng’76) carved out his career path in his own inimitable manner. His story paints a history of contemporary Canada, from the Cold War to the Digital Age, and shows young engineers what it means to learn throughout their lives. |
Gerald and Norma Farnell have made a lasting impact on McGill Engineering, not only through their commitment to education, but also for their profound sense of compassion. Their generosity continues to touch the lives of many.
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For philanthropist Gerald Sheff, overcoming the trials of his first degree proved to be the first step in a long career marked by tremendous generosity and dedication. Like many young students on their first academic paths, Gerald Sheff (BArch’64), was no stranger to having second thoughts. |