CREDIT: SAMANTHA KACZALA
Fanshawe President Peter Devlin (far right) stands with student Kaitlyn Porter (right), past Fanshawe Student Union (FSU) president Carlie Forsythe (right middle), FSU Advocacy and Communications Co-ordinator Jahmoyia Smith (left middle), current FSU President Morganna Sampson (left) and FSU Student Life Co-ordinator Kate Morris (far left) stand in the Good Foundation Theatre on May 4 for the Remarkable Campaign results.

Key donors, community stakeholders, student representatives and Fanshawe staff gathered at the college’s Good Foundation Theatre in the downtown Centre of Digital and Performance Arts, to hear the results of Fanshawe’s Remarkable Campaign on May 4.

Fanshawe was proud to announce that the campaign made $110,184,884, which was more than their original $100 million goal.

According to Fanshawe’s Corporate Communications press release, Fanshawe will be using the generous donations to continue expanding the Fanshawe community by building modern facilities, like the student Wellness and Fitness Centre, giving more financial awards and bursaries to students and enhancing exciting opportunities for students and faculty members alike.

Catherine Finlayson, executive director of the Fanshawe College Foundation, said she was pleased about the results of the campaign and that the foundation would continue endeavouring to help the students even further. 

“Our foundation is 10 years old now and so we’ve proven some great success with this campaign, so we’re going to keep working to raise more money to help the students and make our programs the best they can be.”

Theresa Vander Hoeven, a retired faculty member of Fanshawe and founder of the fashion design program, said she’s satisfied as a donor and a campaign cabinet member to participate in helping the campaign become a success.

“It’s something that you do because you want to,” Vander Hoeven said, “I taught the program [for] 31 years and then my graduates from the program have taken over and they’re there and doing an amazing job, so that’s why you do these things.”

When asked about her thoughts on the results of the campaign as a donor, Vander Hoeven replied, “We went beyond satisfaction and that’s a good feeling, that there are so many people out there that are willing to support Fanshawe College. It’s… it’s remarkable.”

There were over a hundred donors who supported the Remarkable Campaign, one of them being the city of London, including downtown which together contributed $30 million to the campaign.

Mayor Matt Brown, explained in depth as to why the city donated to the campaign and how Fanshawe is important to helping the growth of the London community.

“So why is Fanshawe important to London? I don’t need to tell you this, but I want you to hear it from me, so you know that we get it. We get how important Fanshawe is to our community.

Forty-three thousand students absolutely, but 65 per cent of those students come from outside of London, 85 per cent of Fanshawe grads stay within London in region and that means that when Fanshawe grows, London grows. That is not lost on any of us over at city hall,” Brown said.

Fanshawe president Peter Devlin, was very much excited during his speech - not even being able to stand still in his enthusiasm - as he told the crowd that their contributions to the Remarkable Campaign will have a great influence on both the students and the London region.

“Together we have created a brighter future for students, by providing them with financial support, by providing them with state of the art learning spaces as well as the technology they need to excel in an ever-changing world. I thank you all for helping provide our students the pathway to success and I am confident that because of your support we will continue to leave an enduring impact on this region,” Devlin said.