Vancouver Island University receives major contribution for endowment fund

Meyers Norris Penny, one of Nanaimo's largest accounting firms, has created a sizeable endowment fund for the Vancouver Island University (VIU).

With the support of local partners, Meyers Norris Penny (MNP) is contributing $40,000 to the VIU Foundation to establish the MNP Nanaimo Founders Award. This endowment fund is named in honour of the founding partners of MNP’s Nanaimo office, Bob McDougall and Barney Bestwick. 

MNP and VIU have had a long history of working together, with MNP employing a number of graduates from the VIU business program.

“We are very proud and excited to announce the creation of this award at VIU,” said Lucie Gosselin, CA, a partner with MNP’s Nanaimo office. “Our founding partners, Bob and Barney, had a vision that this business is not just about number crunching, but rather helping people achieve their goals. We see the MNP Nanaimo Founders Award as an extension of this philosophy and we are pleased to support such a reputable institution."

MNP’s contribution will be matched dollar for dollar by the VIU Foundation, bringing the total value of the endowment to $80,000. Interest earned from the endowment will support an annual award to a student in VIU’s Bachelor of Business Administration program.

“The Vancouver Island University Foundation is very honoured to receive such a major contribution from MNP," said George Hrabowych, Chair of the VIU Foundation. “MNP has always supported our University, our community and our students and this award will allow for the leadership development of many all-rounded and ambitious individuals.”

In recognition of the characteristics of MNP’s Nanaimo founding partners, the award will be based on a combination of academic achievement, community involvement and/or sportsmanship.