Community

Annual Scholarship Dinner to honour Bob Dhillon

The University of Lethbridge’s Dhillon School of Business will celebrate its 31st Annual Scholarship Dinner on Friday, Apr. 13 at 6 p.m. at the Coast Hotel and Conference Centre by honouring Navjeet (Bob) Dhillon.

The University of Lethbridge's Dhillon School of Business will celebrate its 31st Annual Scholarship Dinner on Friday, Apr. 13.

Dhillon, the president and CEO of Mainstreet Equity Corp., recently pledged a $10-million gift to the University, transforming the Faculty of Management to the Dhillon School of Business. The Scholarship Dinner, through the Dhillon School of Business and its advisory board, annually recognizes the contributions and citizenry of an outstanding member or members of the southern Alberta community.

Over the first 30 years of the Scholarship Dinner, more than $1.5 million has been raised in support of student scholarships. Friday’s event will celebrate the contributions of Mr. Dhillon, raise further funds for student scholarships and highlight the transformation of the Dhillon School of Business, the future of finance and business education at the University of Lethbridge.

“It has been a tremendous year for us and going forward, we could not be more excited about the direction we are headed and the opportunities Mr. Dhillon’s gift have created,” says Dr. Bob Boudreau, dean of the Dhillon School of Business. “We have a history of being at the leading edge of finance and business education and with his additional support, we will continue to push ahead and offer an educational experience like no other.”

Dhillon, an innovative and transformational entrepreneur, created a real-estate empire by identifying an underserved niche in the market, supporting it with resources and nurturing its massive growth. He sees the same opportunity and potential in the University of Lethbridge.

“The future of Canada depends on education,” says Dhillon, a first-generation Sikh immigrant who holds an MBA from the Ivey School of Business at Western University. “I wouldn’t have achieved the success I’ve had if it wasn’t for education. Supporting innovative education is key to launching Canadian talent in today’s connected world.”