Dear Humber employees, 

Today is a great day for Humber College as we celebrate the incredible generosity of our donors.  

I am pleased to share exciting news about a transformational gift. Humber is the recipient of $30 million from the Barrett Family Foundation, marking the largest single donation ever made to an Ontario college. Combined with their donations to Humber’s Unlimited Campaign, the Barrett Family Foundation has given a total of $42 million, making their donation the largest in Canadian college history.  

The Foundation’s investment will support science, technology, engineering, and mathematics programs and technology (STEM) at Humber. It will provide access to education through more than 100 annual scholarships to students entering and continuing their studies in engineering and technology-related degrees and diplomas. It will also enhance the learning environment for students and foster interest in STEM careers by investing in existing and new programs, people, and resources at the Barrett Centre for Technology Innovation (CTI). 

I am inspired by the Barrett family and their foundation’s generosity, and grateful for their shared vision and support for students and our polytechnic model of education. This gift is an investment in the future of Humber students that will strengthen industry, the economy and our communities. 

Led by Bob Barrett and Francine Rouleau-Barrett, the Barrett Family Foundation is Humber’s largest benefactor, having previously donated $10 million to support the creation of the Barrett CTI at the College's North Campus, and $2 million to support a STEM initiative led by Humber College’s International Development Institute targeting girls aged 14 to 18 in Kenya and Ethiopia. 

This contribution also brings the total of Unlimited, Humber’s first comprehensive fundraising campaign, to more than $85 million, surpassing the campaign’s original $50 million goal.  

Please join me in welcoming this historic news at Humber.   

Sincerely, 

Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan
President, CEO, Humber I.T.A.L