Ivey receives $30-million donation to transform presence in downtown Toronto
![Donald K. Johnson - London Canadian business leader Donald K. Johnson graduated in the MBA class of 1963 from London, Ont.'s Ivey School of Business. (Source: Western University)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2023/4/25/donald-k--johnson---london-1-6371233-1682463288299.jpg)
A $30-million gift will transform the Ivey Business School’s presence in downtown Toronto and support the new Donald K. Johnson Centre.
On Tuesday, the Ivey Business School announced the largest single donation from an individual in the university’s history.
The new facility will allow Ivey to expand its while-you-work program offerings. In addition, it will provide opportunities for The Ivey Academy, event space for alumni and student programming, and symposiums and idea forums.
“I’m very gratified to see the expansion of the Ivey campus in Toronto,” said Johnson. “Doing my MBA at Ivey enabled me to start a new career in an area I was very passionate about. I feel it’s the best opportunity for me to give back to a place that has had such a profound impact on my career, and in my personal life.”
Donald K. Johnson graduated in the MBA class of 1963 and started his career in electrical engineering, but after graduating with his MBA, he turned to a career in investment banking.
“My philosophy about philanthropy is that it’s better to give it away with a warm hand, than a cold hand,” said Johnson. “So, I’m glad I can do this now.”
The 36,000 sq. ft. facility is located at First Canadian Place at 77 Adelaide St. W., and is triple the footprint of Ivey’s existing Toronto campus in the Exchange Tower. The new campus will double Ivey’s classroom and study room capacity, while also providing event space capable of hosting 300-people.
“I am really excited about the opportunities and possibilities this new space will open up for us,” said Sharon Hodgson, dean, Ivey Business School. “One of the many benefits is that with a greater presence in Toronto, we will be able to create even greater connectivity with the business community and further elevate our research to practice commitment.”
Ivey’s existing campus at the Exchange Tower, located at 130 King St. W., was renamed the Donald K. Johnson Centre in 2019, and will continue to run programs until the new campus is completed.
“For decades, Don [Johnson] has been a tireless champion for our university and business school, and his advocacy on behalf of the charitable sector has transformed the way philanthropy is able to help not-for-profit organizations across the country,” said Western President Alan Shepard.” We are deeply grateful for his visionary leadership and his enormous generosity.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
DEVELOPING Alberta's request for federal assistance approved after fast-moving wildfire hit Jasper National Park: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on social media that Ottawa has approved Alberta's request for federal assistance after a fast-moving wildfire hit Jasper National Park and its townsite late Wednesday.
BREAKING Loblaw, George Weston to settle class action over bread price-fixing for $500 million
Loblaw Cos. Ltd. and its parent company George Weston Ltd. say they have agreed to pay $500-million to settle a class-action lawsuit regarding their involvement in an alleged bread price-fixing scheme.
EXCLUSIVE One address, 76 foreign currency dealers: Inside Canada's money service business 'clusters'
An IJF and CTV News investigation has found dozens of cases across Canada where multiple money services businesses (MSBs) are incorporated at the same address, sometimes without the knowledge or consent of the location's actual occupant. One money laundering expert calls it an 'abuse of the system.'
U.K. police officer suspended after video appears to show a man being kicked in head
A British police officer was suspended from all duties Thursday after a video was posted on social media that appeared to show an officer kicking and stamping on the head of a man lying on the floor of a terminal at Manchester Airport.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
Norad intercepts Russian and Chinese bombers operating together near Alaska in apparent first
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers flying near Alaska Wednesday in what appears to be the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together.
Biden explains why he ended re-election bid in Oval Office address
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Jasper mayor says alert system to be reviewed after message 'glitch'
More than 25,000 people have been displaced from Jasper National Park since wildfires started to threaten the picturesque corner of Alberta Rockies on Monday, but the mayor of its namesake municipality says not everyone received an evacuation alert when it was sent out.
Unclaimed bodies are piling up in Newfoundland. A funeral director blames the government
A funeral director in St. John's says the bodies piling up in freezers at Newfoundland and Labrador's largest hospital likely belong to people whose loved ones couldn't get enough government help to pay for a funeral.