The School of Business and Economics at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops will be named after Bob Gaglardi.
President Brett Fairbairn made that announcement Thursday morning, as he revealed a $10-million donation from Bob’s four children. It was made with the support of Northland Properties, the company founded by Bob in 1963.
“This is the first time in TRU’s history that a faculty or school is being named. The impact associated with this donation extends beyond the monetary value and represents leadership for TRU,” he said, noting it is the largest ever donation in university history.
“It will make a real difference in the lives of students at the TRU School of Business and Economics.”
“This is really a historic day for TRU. It means new opportunities for students, support to finish their education, better facilities. It really is amazing what this will do.”
Andrea Gaglardi says it was Fairbairn and TRU Dean Mike Henry’s idea to name the school after her father.
“The university talk started about five years ago and we’ve stayed in touch since then,” she said. “As the university continues to grow, it just became obvious that there was this opportunity and the need for the new physical building where the school of business can be housed.”
“We had just said we’d be interested in helping with the building. They came back to us and said they way we think we can really grow our school and give our school more opportunity is by having your name on the building.”
This is the second Kamloops building to be named after the Gaglardi family in the last three months. In Nov. 2021, the family gave $15-million towards the new Patient Care Tower at Royal Inland Hospital, which will be named after Bob’s parents, Phil and Jennie Gaglardi.
Speaking to media after the announcement, Henry said the new $50-to-$60 million facility is in the advanced planning stages, but notes there is no estimate as to when construction could begin
“It depends on frankly other donors stepping up to support us and as well the provincial government making a commitment, perhaps through an infrastructure program to provide some funding,” he said. “We have $8-million of the $10-million here, and generally we need to think we need to raise another $10-million then to match.
Henry says the university has already presented a business case for this new building to the government. He also noted there will be a focus on experiential learning, with things like an expanded finance lab and other hands-on learning, along with street-facing businesses on the main floor.
“It is intended to be built on the East Gate as you come into campus,” he said. “It will be the first time the business school comes together in a five or six storey building. It will be an important academic centre for student learning and for research.”
Henry also noted that by using Bob Gaglardi’s name and reputation, it will help TRU gain credibility and connections, not just in Canada, abut around the world, including when it comes to hiring graduates.
“We’re looking for lots of interaction, not only throughout campus and our school, but a place where businesses from around the region and the Interior of British Columbia can come to get advice and hire students,” he said.
“We’re going to be putting a lot of energy and emphasis on experiential education. There will be other kinds of learning spaces and hands on learning so that when our students graduate, they not only know about business, they know how to business.”
In addition to that new academic building, the Gaglardi donation will be used to support research, programs, and financial awards for both students and faculty members in business and economics.
