Canfor Contributes to UNBC
February
25, 2005 for immediate release
Canfor today
has announced a $300,000 contribution to the Northern Medical Programs Trust
(NMPT), bringing the company’s total investment in UNBC to more than $1
million.
Canfor’s NMPT donation
is supporting the pledges of every community where the company operates. To
date, just over 20 northern BC communities and electoral districts have pledged
amounts based on their populations, with the endowment providing financial
assistance for students in the Northern Medical Program. Communities benefiting
from the Canfor gift are Chetwynd, Fort Nelson, Fort
St John, Taylor,
Fort St James, Vanderhoof, Houston, Smithers,
Mackenzie, Valemount, Quesnel, and Prince
George.
“Canfor was one of the first companies to pledge
its financial support to UNBC back when the Prince George campus was still under
construction,” says UNBC President Charles Jago. “Many people involved with the
company have also been strongly involved with UNBC: Canfor President Jim Shepherd is on our
Board and Canfor Chairman Peter Bentley is currently Chancellor and a strong
advocate for the University across Canada.”
"Canfor is honoured to support the Northern Medical Program and its role in increasing
access to medical care close to home," says Mark Feldinger, General Manager of Canfor’s
Prince George Divisions. "This gift highlights our
commitment to enriching the lives of those in communities where we live and
work through innovative community programs."
In the past, Canfor has
supported capital construction, a public lecture series, research, and student
awards. In this academic year alone, 21 students received scholarships and
bursaries endowed by the company. Since 1995, 141 students have received Canfor
awards, including Heather Smith of Prince
George, who completed her degree at UNBC before
entering the Northern Medical Program this year.
The Northern Medical
Program is a program of the UBC Faculty of Medicine delivered in partnership
with UNBC. It has been created to help alleviate northern challenges around
physician recruitment and retention and admitted its first 25 students this
year. The Northern Medical Programs Trust is a partnership among northern
communities and UNBC. To date, $1.7 million has been raised toward the
endowment’s $6 million goal.
Contact:
Rob van Adrichem,
Director of Media and Public Relations, UNBC – 250.960.5622
Adrienne Lockstead,
Communications Coordinator, Canfor – 604.661.5416