St. Francis Xavier University is pleased to announce a $5 million gift from Agnico Eagle Mines Limited and the renaming of the Physical Sciences Complex.
This gift, which has enabled the university to secure an additional $3.5 million in matching funds, will be directed to three key areas:
- In the near term, the funds from Agnico Eagle will enable physical science departments in the Faculty of Science to purchase new lab equipment and update existing technology. This latest gift complements the company’s previous support of the Faculty of Science at StFX, which hosts nation-leading researchers in fields such as emissions reductions; gold nanotechnology; volcanology; igneous petrology; and biogeochemical feedbacks to climate change. Agnico Eagle is also making a significant contribution to the newly-established Agnico Eagle Physical Sciences Fund, an endowment that will create predictable resources for future use.
- The Vincent Nasso Bursary Fund, which will make a StFX education more accessible for Black, Indigenous, and Inuit students; and
- The renovation of the Saputo Centre for Healthy Living, the hub of athletics and recreation for StFX and the broader community.
“This remarkable gift will have a lasting impact on countless StFX students, staff, and faculty members – not to mention the community members who visit campus regularly,” notes StFX President, Dr. Andy Hakin. “We are tremendously grateful to Agnico Eagle for their support and their generosity, and are excited to put their gift to good use.”
Additionally, the university will take this opportunity to honour James Nasso ‘59, Agnico Eagle’s long-time board chairman and board member. Mr. Nasso is passionate about education, and StFX in particular. He served previously on StFX’s Board of Governors and was Deputy Chair of the Xaverian Spirit Campaign from 1988-92; at the time, the campaign was the largest StFX had ever conducted, raising more than $21 million.
“In recognition of his lifetime commitment to StFX and in consideration of Agnico Eagle’s gift to the university, StFX will be re-naming the Physical Sciences Complex as the Nasso Family Science Centre,” Dr. Hakin reveals.
Because of COVID, the university will not host an in-person event in celebration of the gift. However, the university has put together a video that highlights the impact that Agnico Eagle’s contributions will have on StFX, and Mr. Nasso’s legacy. The video can be viewed by clicking here.
