Kwantlen recieves largest donation to date from philanthropist

By Denny Hollick [Coordinating Editor]

Kwantlen has set a new record for the largest donation made to their foundation by a single individual. The unprecedented donation of $2.5 million was set by Dr. Irving K. Barber, founder of Slocan Forest Products Ltd., on Apr. 26, 2010.

The money has been designated to improve and develop programs and services at Kwantlen for struggling students and to ensure their success. Kwantlen plans to use the funding to expand programs such as free tutoring, which is offered at the learning centres located on each of the schools campuses. Further, Barber hopes the funding will be used to attract students who might not otherwise consider going to a post-secondary institution.

“I want this money to open the doors of post-secondary education to a segment of our society that would never otherwise attend university,” said Barber, a former high school drop out. “I’m one of those ‘second-chance’ people.”

After dropping out of high school Barber joined the army in World War II, and after returning home had the opportunity to continue his education for free because of his service. He graduated at the age of 27 from UBC. He credits this “second chance,” as a major contribution to his success. Now an Order of Canada recipient, he is recognized as one of B.C’s most successful entrepreneurs.

Barber said that normally universities are only reaching out to grade A and B students. He made the decision to donate to Kwantlen as opposed to other universities because of their commitment to access to education. He emphasized the point that, the intent of his donation is to graduate these students with the same qualifications that would be expected from a traditional university.

“The most important thing to do is to re-install dignity in the people that we try to help,” Barber said. “It creates one of the most important starting points of them all for their lives.”
Kwantlen is committed to providing open access to the community, as almost 58 per cent of their enrollment in 2009 would not have met the admission requirement to attend a traditional university, according to a press release issued by the university.

“We welcome students with the determination and desire to learn,” said Dr. David Atkinson, President of Kwantlen.  “With this pledge comes an obligation to support our students in ways that traditional universities do not.”

Barber believes that his donation can make a difference because ten years ago he made a $2.5 million contribution to a diabetic research foundation after he learned that he was diagnosed with diabetes. “At the time the organization was very fractionalized and small, but since then, because of the support they have received, they cover a whole floor at one of the Vancouver hospitals.” he said.  “This is an opportunity for Kwantlen to take their light from under the table and show it to the world.”
Since the contribution, Kwantlen has attracted much media attention in many of BC’s major media outlets.

“We want to create students with pride and dignity, and send them around the world to tell them about Kwantlen.” Barber said. “We want to see people knocking on our door.”