Thousands of Western students will have the opportunity to develop leadership skills and make a difference in the London and wider communities thanks to a $2-million donation from the RBC Foundation.
Dave McKay, Group Head of Canadian Banking for RBC, and a Richard Ivey School of Business graduate, announced a $2-million donation to expand service learning programs on campus.
The new Community Service Learning (CSL) Program, facilitated through Western, the Richard Ivey School of Business and Huron University College, will provide enhanced learning for students while responding to community needs through service.
“This gift will help us to achieve more and reach higher,” says Ivey Dean Carol Stephenson. “It will help us to make sure that at a very early age our students will get used to giving back and it will become a natural thing. RBC has been a great partner for Western and Ivey over the years and this is testament of the leadership in this company.”
Dave McKay, Group Head of Canadian Banking for RBC, and an Ivey graduate, (MBA’92) is hopeful this gift, one of the largest they’ve made in southwestern Ontario, will help to inspire Canada’s future leaders to see the benefits of giving back to their community.
“As students you are all striving to get the best grades, which we all did, and looking to secure that top job with those grades,” says McKay. “But I also encourage you to always strive and look for ways to contribute to the society in which you operate.
“We believe, as an organization, that to whom much is given, much is expected. I am a firm believer in the power of education, but some of the most impactful things we learn happen outside the classroom.”
The CSL program extends the educational experience of students beyond the classroom with real-life experience in the community. RBC’s commitment will support the program over the next 10 years, and allow about 5,000 students each year to take part in this new educational opportunity.
The $2 million RBC Foundation gift will provide:
$950,000 to be spent campus-wide to hire a Service Learning coordinator to administer the program, to fund community placements and provide financial assistance bursaries to ensure all qualified students have the opportunity to benefit from the program.
$900,000 to the Richard Ivey School of School of Business to support the School’s Community Service Learning Program. Ivey plans to expand its course offerings in Corporate Responsibility, and Not-for-Profit Management.
$100,000 to Huron University College to support service learning teaching, promotion and outreach.
$50,000 to establish the Charles M. Winograd endowment.
“We have already had great success with community service learning at Western, and are now ready to expand and develop this approach in new ways,” says Western’s President Amit Chakma. “As our world changes, Western students will be there, helping to lead that change.”
Recent Ivey graduate Steven Shedletsky is one of these students who can vouch for the program. A participant with Ivey Connects – a student-run group that aims to inspire students to contribute to the society’s in which they operate – he says this latest funding will further enhance the difference Western students can make.
“I have never been involved in an organization (Ivey) that cultivates a culture of such positive growth and positive change. My life has changed because of these values,” says Shedletsky. “There is something within these walls that empowers students. Thank you to RBC for this treasure, to enable us to use our talents and our time in the community.”
McKay adds Shedletsky’s example is proof of the win-win possibilities with this program.
“What is so impactful about the CSL program is that students will not only acquire a credit and a strong sense of social responsibility, but the entire London community will also benefit from the thousands of smart and dedicated students who will help these non-profit organization,” says McKay.
“I speak for all my colleagues at RBC when I say how extremely proud we are to support such a fantastic university and such a worthy cause. I hope the work we are starting today will resonate for years to come and help countless individuals in the London community”