Dr. Donald Rix Donates $3 Million to UNBC
January 28, 2005 for immediate release
BC Biotechnology leader Dr Donald Rix is donating $3 million
to UNBC to expand health research and education in northern British Columbia. The contribution is the
largest ever received by UNBC. In response, the University’s medical building
will be named the Dr Donald Rix Northern Health Sciences Centre.
Dr Rix has been a member of UNBC’s Board of Governors since
2003 and has active relationships with all of BC’s universities and BCIT. He
has contributed nearly $1 million to UVic’s Bamfield Marine Station, provided
major funding to an $8 million building at UBC housing high-tech companies, and
received honorary degrees from Simon Fraser University,
BCIT, and the University
of Western Ontario. Dr
Rix has also established a facility at Western that supports research on the
molecular basis of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis.
He is pictured here (second from left) with Chancellor Peter Bentley
(far left), Dr Rix's daughter, Laurie, and UNBC President Charles Jago
(far right).
Dr Rix is currently the Chairman of MDS Metro Laboratory
Services, the largest independent community medical lab in BC. He is also one
of the founders of Cantest Ltd, which conducts air quality and soils testing,
as well as analysis of pesticides in food. Dr Rix is a leader in the BC
technology and biotechnology communities, serving as a director of Genome BC, a director of
the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, and a member of both the BC Innovation
Council and the Premier’s Technology Council, as well as representing the
province on science and technology missions to countries throughout the Pacific Rim.
Dr Rix received his MD from the University of Western Ontario
in 1957 and earned the Order of British Columbia in 2004.
“This is truly a great day for UNBC,” says UNBC President
Charles Jago. “Don is a thoughtful philanthropist who has supported many
education, health, and arts projects throughout the province. We feel fortunate
that he has invested his time, experience, and money with UNBC. In addition,
his contribution will help us to build health research capacity here that will
benefit all northerners and position UNBC as a national leader in rural and
aboriginal health.”
"I'm a strong supporter of UNBC,” says Dr Rix. “The
expansion of the medical school to UNBC will benefit health in northern BC in
many ways"
The Rix donation was announced by UNBC Chancellor Peter
Bentley during a ceremony in the Northern Health Sciences Centre, the building
that now bears Dr Rix’s name. Attendees included representatives from the
Government of BC, the UNBC Board of Governors, officials from the BC high-tech
industry, and UNBC faculty, students, and staff.