A recognition event was held on Monday, January 28, to honour members of the family of G. Stewart and C. Jean (Ross) MacKay and their contributions to the capital campaign for UPEI’s Health Sciences Building which houses the School of Nursing and the Department of Applied Human Sciences. The second floor collaboratory was officially named after the family during the event and a plaque was unveiled.
The MacKay family has a recognized tradition of support to Island communities. Their volunteer efforts and financial support to charitable causes continue to have impact. The MacKay family has contributed over $100,000 to the University through student scholarships and support to the health sciences building campaign.
The annual G. Stewart MacKay Scholarship supports the educational, athletic, and leadership development of students, while the annual C. Jean (Ross) MacKay, RN Nursing Scholarship is awarded to a returning UPEI student enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program who intends to pursue an international learning experience. The first-ever recipient of the nursing scholarship is second-year nursing student Amanda Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick spoke during the celebration to express her appreciation to the MacKay family.
UPEI’s Interim Vice-President Academic, Christian Lacroix, brought greetings and thanks to the family on behalf of the University. “On behalf of the President, my colleagues, and the students here, we’re very appreciative of the support your family has provided to UPEI. It’s a point of pride for us to be able to say that we have friends like the MacKays who believe in this institution, who want to see it succeed, and we are doing just that.”
Rosemary Herbert, Dean of the School of Nursing, explained that the collaboratory is an important gathering space for nursing students to review their work and assignments with faculty before entering the laboratories that include high-fidelity simulation mannequins within the Vera E. Dewar Learning Resource Lab.
Gordon MacKay and his sisters Carole MacKay Ellis, Connie MacKay-Carr, and Lori MacKay Loggie, were present for the unveiling of the plaque. Not able to be present was their sibling Marilyn MacKay-Lyons who resides in Halifax. Gordon said a few words on behalf of the MacKay family and on behalf of his parents. “My mother was very proud as a nurse; it was something that she carried with her throughout her whole life. She made lifelong friends at the PEI School of Nursing—friends so close they were like sisters,” said Gordon. “I know my parents would both be so proud to have this named in their memory.”
The University extends its gratitude to the MacKay family and is pleased to express its appreciation through the official naming of the G. Stewart and C. Jean (Ross) MacKay Collaboratory.
For more information on contributing to UPEI’s capital campaign, please contact advancement@upei.ca.