Lovell family gives generously to UOIT
May 11, 2006
At a dedication ceremony held yesterday at UOIT, the family of philanthropist Stanley Lovell including his wife Wilma, daughters Diana Kirk and Linda McGill, and son Arthur Lovell, pledged their overwhelming support to UOIT's $100-million capital campaign. To commemorate the family's donation, a copper plaque bearing a picture of Stanley Lovell has been installed on the southeast corner of the Campus Commons.
"Stan Lovell and his family are true champions of this community and have been a tremendous support to our campus for nearly 40 years. We are deeply humbled by their generosity toward the continued growth and success of our university," said Dr. Gary Polonsky, president of UOIT.
Born in Oshawa and well respected in the community, Stanley Lovell is the CEO and owner of Lovell Drugs Limited, a chain of 10 retail pharmacies in eastern Ontario. A close family, Diana Kirk and Arthur Lovell are the third generation to operate Lovell Drugs, and also own The Gift House in downtown Oshawa.
Already a distinguished name in the halls of Durham College, Stanley Lovell was a founding member of the Durham College Board of Governors in 1968 and served until 1976; and as board chair between 1975 and 1976. He was previously honoured for his role in shaping the college with the dedication of the Durham College Registrar's office in his name which is displayed on a plaque in Recognition Square.
Lovell has received several prestigious awards for his service and commitment to education and health care in the community including the Queen's Anniversary Medal in 1977. In the past four decades he has served on numerous boards including the Oshawa Board of Education from 1962 to 1969, and as chair in 1966 and 1967. He was elected the first chair of the Ontario County Board of Education and served for two years before retiring from the board in 1972. In 1981, Lovell was appointed to the Provincial Council of Regents for Colleges of Applied Arts & Technology, serving until December 1987.
With a passion for health care, Lovell was appointed to the board of the Oshawa General Hospital in 1957 and served as chair from 1971 to 1976. In 1989, he was made a life governor of the hospital. Lovell is a founding and honorary member of the Oshawa General Hospital Foundation and Parkwood Foundation. As well, he was a cabinet member of the Setting the Pace capital campaign in 1991. From 1976 to 1986, he was a member of the board of directors of the Ontario Hospital Association.
The Lovells were one of the first leading local families to support the college's Creating Futures campaign in the late 90s and they continue to demonstrate their strong support for the campus with their gift to UOIT.
"Through the commitment and support of community leaders like the Lovell family, UOIT will continue to provide students with the best postsecondary education and opportunities, and ensure our thriving campus community for years to come," said David Chambers, vice-president of Advancement at UOIT.
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Ontario Tech University
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