Sudbury Family Invests in Healthy Lakes

October 2, 2012 –  The Vale Living with Lakes Centre has accepted a pledge of $500,000 from Nora and Milad Mansour of Sudbury, a donation in  support of environmental remediation studies to ensure the health and sustainability of the world’s freshwater systems. 

Members of the Laurentian University community and special guests attended a ceremony held Monday evening to recognize the Mansour family’s generosity, and to celebrate the official renaming of the Vale Living with Lake Centre’s atrium as the Milad Gebrael Mansour Atrium.

 “This contribution is very special,” said Dr. John Gunn, Director of the Vale Living with Lakes Centre and Canada Research Chair in Stressed Aquatic Systems.  “Private investment of this size from a prominent Sudbury family is a clear sign that members of this community understand the importance of the work being done here at the Centre.  Our students, staff and researchers will all benefit from this gift, as will the broader community and the whole of Northern Ontario.          

“The leadership shown today by the Mansour family is remarkable,” said Laurentian University President Dominic Giroux.  “I have no doubt that this donation will help us achieve the outcome in our 2012-2017 Strategic Plan of having established Laurentian world-wide as the University synonymous with fresh water research.  I’m excited about this new partnership, and proud to have the Mansour name associated with the Lakes Centre. ”       

“The future sustainability of our lakes is a pressing issue—one of the most important of our lifetimes,” said Milad Mansour, President of Milman Industries Inc.  “We need to find innovative solutions to ensure their preservation, and this is the absolute best place to do it, no question.”                

“I have always taught my children that giving is more precious than receiving,” said Nora Mansour. “It is a wonderful feeling to give back to our community by supporting Laurentian University.”

The Mansours’ gift will be counted among a growing list of contributions made through the Sudbury Families initiative, a university-led recognition program that honours and celebrates local families who have shaped the growth and development of the city.

“The Mansours have been economic drivers in this city for many years,” said John Pollesel, The Next 50 Campaign volunteer and Sudbury Families co-chair. “Now they are driving efforts to ensure its long-term environmental health.  The example they have set here today will surely inspire others to aid in improving the quality of life of all Sudbury residents, Northern Ontarians and members of the global community.”

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About Milman Industries Inc.

Milman Industries Inc. provides a wide array of products as well as services.  Located at two sites, Milman Industries Inc. features thirteen companies to serve the customer’s needs from hoses to diesel or electric locomotives, scrap metal recycling, railway equipment and track repair to sea and rail transloading on the onsite spur.

About The Next 50 Campaign

To ensure that Laurentian continues to drive creativity, innovation and prosperity, the university has launched The Next 50 Campaign—the most ambitious fundraising campaign ever undertaken in Northern Ontario—which aims to raise $50 million in new investments.  The campaign, which will continue through to April 2013, secures funds in support of Laurentian’s key projects, including the Indigenous Sharing and Learning Centre; the School of Architecture; a School of Mines and an expanded endowment fund to increase opportunities for researchers, graduate students, and student athletes to excel through the creation of chairs, fellowships, and scholarships.

MEDIA CONTACT:

For further information or to schedule an interview, please contact:

Joanne Musico                                                                                                

Manager, Communications                                                                                        

Tel: 705-675-1151 ext. 3445 or 1.800.263.4188 ext.3445                   

jmusico@laurentian.ca