Community pillar donates homestead to UOIT
July 20, 2009
OSHAWA, ON. - Stefania Dulemba is all set for the next journey in her life - however, before the longtime education champion returns permanently to her native Poland, she is once again helping students at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) succeed during their post-secondary journeys. Dulemba has announced she is donating her family home and property to UOIT.
The donation is the latest gift in a generous partnership that Mrs. Dulemba and her late husband, Aleksander, struck with UOIT over the years. The family home, on a 2.5-acre Garrard Road property in Whitby that also includes a barn and garage, is valued at $325,000 and will serve as office and research space for the university.
"My husband and I were always extremely pleased whenever we could make contributions to furthering access to or improving education over the years," said Mrs. Dulemba. "Leaving the home in which we shared so many wonderful years together to UOIT will ensure many young men and women will benefit and be able to fulfil their dreams and goals for a bright future."
The Dulembas purchased their home on November 1, 1950 after escaping from Poland in 1939 to Romania and from there to Yugoslavia, Greece, France, Spain and Portugal, England and finally starting their lives anew in Canada in 1947. They quickly became successful farmers and along with their commitment to education, were able to help other immigrants who were less-fortunate. In recognition of their support for UOIT in the university's early years, in 2006, the Campus Library study hall was declared The Aleksander J. and Stefania Dulemba Study Hall.
"UOIT has been fortunate to have the Dulembas as such wonderful friends during its history," said MaryLynn West-Moynes, UOIT's vice-president, External Relations. "Their gifts and contributions have made a considerable difference for our university. We wish Mrs. Dulemba all the very best as she embarks on her exciting new journey."
Each year countless new donors join longtime UOIT partners and benefactors such as the Dulembas to create scholarships and bursaries that provide new opportunities for students; deliver state-of-the-art equipment and other technology that ensures graduates have the very latest in skills; donate towards construction of award-winning academic buildings; and give in other ways that are essential to the university's continued success. This growing group of valued partners ensures UOIT graduates have the real-world and high-tech skills to meet the new economy and ensure Ontario's place as a global leader.
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About UOIT
As an innovative university, UOIT delivers a leading-edge learning environment that uniquely combines academic knowledge, research opportunities, hands-on skills and a vibrant student life. UOIT's more than 5,500 students are taught by professors who are experts in their fields from around the world. As Ontario's first laptop-based university, the university offers a diverse array of challenging undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its faculties of Business and Information Technology; Criminology, Justice and Policy Studies; Education; Energy Systems and Nuclear Science; Engineering and Applied Science; Health Sciences; and Science. UOIT's commitment to research excellence has resulted in millions of dollars in grants and awards, including five Canada Research Chairs. To find out more, visit www.uoit.ca or call 905.721.8668.
About Ontario Tech University
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Media contact
Tony Doyle
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
905.721.8668 ext. 2209
tony.doyle@uoit.ca
