Carleton University receives $10M gift to support entrepreneurship and student experience in the Sprott School of Business
A new transformational $10M gift from Carleton University alum and long-time donor Eric Sprott (BCom/65) will support entrepreneurial agility and enhance the student experience, innovative programming and experiential learning opportunities within Carleton’s Sprott School of Business. This donation builds upon the landmark $10M gift Sprott made to the school in 2001.
Sprott, the school’s namesake, is a prominent Canadian investor, entrepreneur and philanthropist. He believes deeply in the potential of young, creative thinkers and the critical role that post-secondary institutions play in society.
“Higher education changes lives. It encourages budding minds to challenge their assumptions, think critically, develop creative solutions and test new approaches,” says Sprott.
“University is more than academics. It opens so many doors for young people, from being entrepreneurial and exposed to different perspectives, to personal growth and mentorship opportunities. From my own time at Carleton, the experiences and lifelong friends from my Commerce class of ’65 have had a lasting impact on my life. Attending university is an invaluable experience that should be accessible to all.
“I’m happy to be in a position to give back to Carleton and the Sprott School of Business. I’m a great believer that people who have the ability to give should give.”
The gift comes as Carleton looks ahead to its centennial in 2042 through Towards Carleton@100: From Promise to Inclusive Impact and Prominence, a long-term strategic visioning process that will define a new path for Carleton. President and Vice-Chancellor Wisdom Tettey says that alumni, donors and other supporters will continue to be valuable partners in shaping Carleton’s transformative future and its ability to create positive, lasting change.
“As the complexities and uncertainties of our global landscape redefine that future, the skills that are most valued within the business world — such as innovation, entrepreneurial thinking, conscientious leadership and creative problem solving — will be paramount to solving the world’s most pressing problems,” says President Tettey.
“Opportunities that we create together, such as the one that we are celebrating today, enable us to prepare the next generation of impactful business leaders that our province, our country and our world need. We are immensely grateful to Mr. Sprott for his ongoing generosity and desire to invest in the limitless potential of Carleton students.”
The gift was formally announced at an event on October 26, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the naming of the Sprott School of Business. Dean Howard Nemiroff says the gift recognizes the school’s rich history and the incredible impact of its students, graduates and faculty over the past two decades. It also highlights the Sprott School of Business’ promising future and the faith that Mr. Sprott has in Carleton’s students.
“Eric’s visionary gift 25 years ago set the Sprott School on a trajectory of remarkable growth, innovation and impact,” Nemiroff says. “This new gift will help the Sprott School of Business continue to shape tomorrow’s leaders and cultivate the entrepreneurial spirit of business to advance shared prosperity and societal impact. We are grateful that Mr. Sprott shares that vision and remains an engaged partner.”
Over the past 25 years, the Sprott School of Business earned international accreditation, opened the Nicol Building, expanded its research enterprise, welcomed its first Canada Research Chair, grew experiential learning opportunities and tripled the number of degree programs it offers, including the new Bachelor of Entrepreneurship — the first university degree of its kind in Canada.
Mr. Sprott’s newest contribution will support innovative curricula and learning environments that emphasize applied learning, giving Carleton business students more opportunities to develop their skills and put their ideas into practice. As the Sprott School of Business looks to the next 25 years, the investment will help sustain the school’s momentum and strengthen its ability to prepare high-performing, innovative leaders who can create solutions that contribute to mutual flourishing and enhance Canada’s global competitiveness.
