Desjardins gives $2 million
From left to right, Jerry Tomberlin, Dean of the JMSB; Claude Lajeunesse, Concordia President; Andrew Molson, member of Concordia’s Board of Governors; and Alban D’Amours, President and CEO of Desjardins Group.
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Desjardins Group has given Concordia $2 million to establish a centre for research on corporate financing.
The announcement was made Jan. 31 in the Abe and Harriet Gold Atrium of the EV Building.
The Desjardins Centre for Innovation in Business Finance will be part of the JMSB when the new building at Guy St. and De Maisonneuve Blvd. opens in 2009. The construction site was visible through the Atrium doors, a point President Claude Lajeunesse enjoyed emphasizing during his presentation.
Concordia and Desjardins Group have humble origins in common. Desjardins has grown from a citizen-based co-operative into Canada’s largest integrated financial cooperative.
The Centre will allow JMSB professors and students to keep up to date on the latest research, strategies and technology in banking and finance.
The gift will also be used for bursaries and scholarships, including three bursaries of $10,000 for research directly related to the Centre’s work, five bursaries of $3,000 for students working with the Centre, and 10 scholarships of $2,000 for undergraduate students in finance.
The balance will be used towards hiring the Centre’s director, and organizing seminars.