DeGroote Family Donates $500,000 to Dalhousie University/BIOS

May 04, 2012 — DeGroote Family donates $500,000 to Dalhousie University/BIOS

The DeGroote family has made a $500,000 leadership gift that will provide valuable international research and experiential learning opportunities for Dalhousie University students and faculty at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS). The donation was announced at a Dalhousie alumni reception held Wednesday at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club.

The newly named DeGroote Family and Bermudian Alumni Dalhousie/BIOS Fund will support Dalhousie students and faculty studying and researching at BIOS.

“BIOS and Dalhousie University are both doing world renowned work in oceans education and research,” said Canadian business man and philanthropist Michael DeGroote. “We are pleased to contribute to such an important partnership between Canada and Bermuda.”

Two Dalhousie alumni living in Bermuda have also donated to the fund bringing the total amount raised so far to nearly $600,000. “We are very thankful for the DeGroote Family’s and our alumni’s generosity. It will be invaluable to our oceanography students and will certainly strengthen the ties between our institutions,” said Floyd Dykeman, Vice President, External Relations, Dalhousie University.

The goal is to raise between $1 and $2 million to establish an endowment that will benefit students and faculty in perpetuity.

“This is a tremendous boost for the fund,” said Dr. Nick Bates, Interim Director at BIOS. “We look forward to building a robust programme with Dalhousie.”

Contact:
Jim Watt on behalf of DeGroote Family
jwatt-at-westbury.bm
292-9485