January 28, 2005 for immediate release
BC Biotechnology leader Dr Donald Rix is donating $3 millionto UNBC to expand health research and education in northern British Columbia. The contribution is thelargest ever received by UNBC. In response, the University’s medical buildingwill be named the Dr Donald Rix Northern Health Sciences Centre.
Dr Rix has been a member of UNBC’s Board of Governors since2003 and has active relationships with all of BC’s universities and BCIT. Hehas contributed nearly $1 million to UVic’s Bamfield Marine Station, providedmajor funding to an $8 million building at UBC housing high-tech companies, andreceived honorary degrees from Simon Fraser University,BCIT, and the University of Western Ontario. DrRix has also established a facility at Western that supports research on themolecular basis of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis.He is pictured here (second from left) with Chancellor Peter Bentley(far left), Dr Rix's daughter, Laurie, and UNBC President Charles Jago(far right).
Dr Rix is currently the Chairman of MDS Metro LaboratoryServices, the largest independent community medical lab in BC. He is also oneof the founders of Cantest Ltd, which conducts air quality and soils testing,as well as analysis of pesticides in food. Dr Rix is a leader in the BCtechnology and biotechnology communities, serving as a director of Genome BC, a director ofthe BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, and a member of both the BC InnovationCouncil and the Premier’s Technology Council, as well as representing theprovince on science and technology missions to countries throughout the Pacific Rim.
Dr Rix received his MD from the University of Western Ontarioin 1957 and earned the Order of British Columbia in 2004.
“This is truly a great day for UNBC,” says UNBC PresidentCharles Jago. “Don is a thoughtful philanthropist who has supported manyeducation, health, and arts projects throughout the province. We feel fortunatethat he has invested his time, experience, and money with UNBC. In addition,his contribution will help us to build health research capacity here that willbenefit all northerners and position UNBC as a national leader in rural andaboriginal health.”
"I'm a strong supporter of UNBC,” says Dr Rix. “Theexpansion of the medical school to UNBC will benefit health in northern BC inmany ways"
The Rix donation was announced by UNBC Chancellor PeterBentley during a ceremony in the Northern Health Sciences Centre, the buildingthat now bears Dr Rix’s name. Attendees included representatives from theGovernment of BC, the UNBC Board of Governors, officials from the BC high-techindustry, and UNBC faculty, students, and staff.