Giving

Endowed chairs and professorships enable researchers of the highest calibre to pursue critically important areas of study and recruit and nurture the next generation of researchers. With the support of individual and corporate partners, the endowed chairs and professorships listed below serve to attract and retain internationally renowned researchers in a variety of disciplines, ensuring that McMaster's students learn from the very best in the world. The Faculty of Engineering at McMaster University has a total of 13 Endowed Chairs. These are made possible through generous donations of our supporters.

SEE LIST

Graduates give back... 

A new Gateway to Engineering: The Class of 1985 Reunion Project

Graduates from 1985 raised funds for their legacy gift to McMaster, supporting the construction of a bright and modern glass atrium entranceway to the John Hodgins Engineering (JHE) building.

Stephen Elop, Class of ’85 – “I had fantastic training at McMaster, identifying complex technical problems in the world at large.  Part of my training was outside the classroom, building leadership skills and interactions with classmates.”

Mark D’Cunha, Class of ‘85  - “Collaborative learning and informal networking were crucial skills that I learned at McMaster and still carry with me today. The JHE Atrium project was a great way to help the engineering students and leaders of the future to gain these experiences.” 

Brad Merkel, Class of ‘85 – “I look back on my five years at McMaster as foundational to my life and to my career. Contributing to the renovation of the iconic JHE lobby was a perfect opportunity to show my appreciation to McMaster and to enhance the experience of future students.”

Tim Nohara, Class of ’85 - “The 85 is a relaxing and innovative place where, while socializing about the present and the future, McMaster engineers are reminded of the early days of the information age.  I am honoured to be counted among the class of ’85, and feel fortunate to have been able to contribute to its memory.”

Quang Nguyen, Class of ‘85 – “The JHE Atrium project could have been given to any other Engineering classes – 80’s or 90’s. However, I am very pleased that the Class of 85 received the privilege to be part of this historic project, which allows me to make a meaningful contribution for an institution which I dearly owe by success.”

David Armstrong, Class of ‘85 –“1981 we all met in JHE 376 and four years later in 1985 we all left McMaster from Hamilton Hall after the Kipling ceremony. Now 30 years later we are returning to JHE bearing gifts.”

Chedo Sobot and Vlad Sobot, Class of ’85 – “We feel supporting engineering students is an important way to ensure that the brightest and best students thrive at McMaster.”

Duncan Hannay, Class of ‘85 – “I’m excited to join my McMaster Engineering ’85 classmates and ‘pay it forward’ in a very tangibles way. I look forward to christening this new project with my classmates and celebrating all that McMaster has given us.”

We encourage the entrepreneurial spirit of clubs and teams by providing support to help these “small businesses” grow and succeed. Student learning outside the classroom contributes to the development of a comprehensive engineering “tool kit” which contains not just technical skills but skills in teamwork, leadership, project management and communication. Funding is available to help to cover operating costs.

Reflecting the Faculty’s increased concentration on internationalization and the need to prepare engineering students to succeed in an increasingly globalized world, student travel scholarships are needed. The purpose of exposing students to global engagement is to seek new opportunities for students to learn and work in other countries.

One of the top priorities for the Faculty of Engineering is to establish a highly prestigious International Scholarship, to be awarded on an annual basis to a student with high academic standing and an interest in engaging in industry and research in a global context.

“Internationalization in the university cannot be one-sided. If its essence is merely the recruiting of foreign students to pay fees to a western institution, so that they can become westernized through a curriculum that registers neither their presence nor the impact upon the host of their nation and culture, the lexicon of colonialism could provide us with a better term. Internationalization of the university by the presence of foreign students, by faculty involvement in a network of research alliances abroad, by faculty and student travel for research and development purpose, and above all by the adoption of an internationalized perspective in curriculum and program design on our campus: this is not only desirable and appropriate to present circumstances, it is urgently needed.”

-       Dr. Patrick Deane, President, McMaster University

Forward with Integrity: A Letter to the McMaster Community

The Ronald William Merkel Travel Scholarship in Engineering

Established in 2008 by Brad Merkel, B.Eng.Mgt. (Class of ‘85).  To be awarded to a student in the Faculty of Engineering who, in the judgment of a selection committee, demonstrates high academic achievement and is pursuing either a study, work or co-op placement outside of North America or an international relief or development project in an underdeveloped, disadvantaged area outside of North America.  Preference to be given to a student involved with Engineers without Borders.

The Jimmy Fong International Outreach Travel Award In Engineering (O)

Established in 2006 by Jimmy Fong, B.Eng.Mgt. (Class of ‘82). To be awarded to a student who, in the judgment of a selection committee, demonstrates high academic achievement, and is pursuing an international relief and development project under the auspices of Engineers Without Borders in an underdeveloped, disadvantaged area outside of North America. Preference to be given to a student in the Faculty of Engineering and/or a project in China.

Many of our alumni and friends have planned for a bequest to McMaster as a way of saying thank you and giving back to an institution that has truly impacted their lives. Bequests also offer a wonderful opportunity to create a lasting legacy at McMaster and to help future generations of McMaster students.

A bequest is a direction by will to transfer property to specific beneficiaries. This property can consist of cash, securities, real estate and other assets of value. When structured carefully, a charitable bequest can also offer significant tax relief to a donor’s estate and often provide a more sizeable gift than that which a donor could comfortably afford during his or her lifetime.

Your bequest can be designated to establish an endowment for a research chair, scholarship, award or bursary. In many cases, these funds bear the name of the donors, forever preserving their link to McMaster.

Staff in the Office of Gift Planning would be pleased to work with you and your lawyer to provide sample wording to ensure that your personal objectives are met. All donors who confirm a bequest, or other future gift arrangements, are invited to join The William McMaster and Susan Moulton McMaster Society.

For further information contact the Office of Gift Planning at (905) 525-9140 Ext. 23447.