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SAIT alumni donate $10M for new complex – Metro US

SAIT alumni donate $10M for new complex

The announcement of a $10-million donation to SAIT Polytechnic made by two alumni yesterday was met by balloons dropping and loud cheers from students and staff.

David Johnson and Murray Cobbe, both graduates of the petroleum engineering program, donated $5 million each to be used towards SAIT’s Promising Futures Campaign.

“To me, SAIT was a huge part of my life and my education and I just see this as a tremendous place where people learn how to go forward if you give them a chance,” said Cobbe.

Johnson said the addition of the new 740,000-square-foot complex will allow SAIT to accept more students, which will in turn benefit the province.

“I’ve got to witness what’s going on, I’ve witnessed how strong the passion is for this project,” said Johnson. “It’s huge for the entire province, certainly the oilsands play a huge part in hiring.”

SAIT president and CEO?Irene Lewis said the donation is especially significant coming from alumni.

“It allows the students to understand that these are live human beings who are graduates who became very successful,” she said.