On May 11, 2017 fourteen Atlantic colleges and universities offered an unprecedented display of thanks to Ron Joyce and The Joyce Family Foundation for over $52 million in combined gifts to their respective post-secondary institutions. The joint celebration, held at Fox Harb’r Resort in Nova Scotia, began with a mid-winter musing. “What is the total amount of giving from The Joyce Family Foundation to Atlantic universities and colleges,” wondered Dr. Richard Florizone, President of Dalhousie University, during a visit to the Foundation office. With the tally approaching a milestone figure, the post-secondary institutions set to work on a collaborative, and unparalleled, thank-you event.
Co-hosted by Mr. John Bragg, and the Honourable Frank McKenna, the celebration saw accomplished post-secondary leaders and other distinguished guests – not least to mention the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney – come together with the members of The Joyce Family Foundation. Most importantly in the gathering were student recipients representing the universities and colleges that carry out a Joyce Family Foundation bursary program. The expressions of gratitude were a heartfelt tribute to the generosity of Ron Joyce, the vision of The Joyce Family Foundation, and the importance of post-secondary education as a means of transforming futures.
Ron Joyce and the Board members offer their sincere thanks for all the dedicated work in organizing and hosting this memorable evening, now a cherished memory.