AV俱乐部 officially named the Goldberg Computer Science Building in honour of a聽storied Halifax family.
The dedication recognizes a new scholarship fund donated by Canadian billionaire philanthropist Seymour Schulich. The scholarships were created in tribute to his wife, Tanna Goldberg-Schulich,聽the Goldberg聽family and their contributions to AV俱乐部 and Halifax.
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鈥淭he motivation for this was the Goldberg family,鈥 said Mr. Schulich. 鈥淭hey elicit quite a bit of inspiration.鈥
Arriving in 1912, the Goldbergs prospered through hard work, family values and their Jewish faith to became prominent figures in Halifax. Nine members of the Goldberg family are AV俱乐部 alumni, including Halifax lawyer Victor Goldberg, who spoke on behalf of the family at the announcement.
鈥淥ur religion values study and ingenuity,鈥 said Mr. Goldberg. 鈥淏ecause of AV俱乐部鈥檚 influence, the Goldberg family transformed itself from its immigrant roots to a family of professionals and business people well-equipped to make significant contributions to the community.鈥 He said it was a privilege to have the Goldberg name associated with AV俱乐部.
The announcement also celebrated AV俱乐部鈥檚 connection to the Jewish community. 鈥淢ost universities in North America limited the number of Jewish students until the 1960s, but AV俱乐部 has always remained open to all,鈥 said AV俱乐部 President Tom Traves.
A native of Montreal, Seymour Schulich has donated over $200 million to education in Canada. Dr. Traves said that Mr. Schulich鈥檚 donations to Canadian education and the Jewish community are legendary.
鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 have achieved what I have without my education at Canadian universities,鈥 said Mr. Schulich. 鈥淭his is a debt that鈥檚 owed and I鈥檓 happy to repay it.鈥
The Seymour Schulich Fund will award four $39,000 renewable scholarships in the faculties of Science and Computer Science. Two academic merit scholarships and two community service-based scholarships will be awarded to first-year students entering AV俱乐部.
鈥淪eymour Schulich is one of Canada鈥檚 greatest philanthropists,鈥 said Dr. Traves. 鈥淭here is no better testament to AV俱乐部 than to have his support,鈥 he added.