News Release

For immediate release
July 3, 2007

Canada’s New Government supports visiting lecture series at Cape Breton University

Sydney (NS) Thanks to support from Canada’s New Government, the Cape Breton University (CBU) Shannon School of Business announced its plans for a “Visiting Scholar Lecture Series”. The goal of the series is to expose CBU students and the community to a global view of business by hosting world-renowned industry experts and scholars.

This five-year project will see internationally acclaimed business scholars from esteemed universities provide lectures on globally noted topics. It is anticipated that these lectures will facilitate an exchange of knowledge and business expertise between the visiting scholars and the students and faculty of Cape Breton University.

“Canada’s New Government, through Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC) recognizes the importance of our youth and post-secondary education to the well being of Canada,” said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minster of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). “Exposing our future leaders to eminent business leaders and scholars is a great way for them to broaden their horizons and to gain insight on the economic opportunities and challenges we face in Atlantic Canada.”

The project will target business schools such as Harvard University, Western University and the University of Alberta. Business scholars from each of the respective universities will be invited to provide guest lectures at CBU. Four visiting scholars will be invited to participate each year.

“ECBC has always been a strong supporter of CBU and I want to thank them for working with us once again to make this lecture series a reality. By partnering with ECBC we are showing the young people of this Island that as a community, we are willing to invest in their future,” says Joe Shannon, namesake of the Shannon School of Business and Chair of the Business Advisory Board. “Having these internationally acclaimed business people visit CBU to share their expertise is a tremendous learning experience.”

The Shannon School of Business Visiting Scholar Lecture Series will also extend beyond the walls of the University. Grade 12 students from across the Island will be invited to attend lectures and community service groups will be encouraged to host visiting scholars. ECBC has supported this venture by providing a $300,000 non-repayable contribution.

Shannon School of Business
In December 2006, CBU named its business school after long-time supporter and prominent business leader, Joe Shannon, who grew up in Sydney and currently resides in Port Hawkesbury. The University also established a Business Advisory Board, made up of national business leaders, chaired by Joe Shannon, to further advance the School of Business as a strong force in developing business opportunities. Members of the Business Advisory Board include: Purdy Crawford, Sir Graham Day, Gerry Doucet, Lou Maroun, Anne McLellan, John McLennan and Harold Schwartz. For more information visit www.cbu.ca/shannon.

Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation offers programs in support of economic development initiatives and is responsible for delivering ACOA’s programs on Cape Breton Island and in the Mulgrave area.
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Contact

Marlene Usher
ECBC
902 564 3618
marlene.usher@ecbc-secb.gc.ca
www.ecbc-secb.gc.ca

Paula MacNeil
Manager of Fundraising
Cape Breton University
902 563 1848
paula_macneil@cbu.ca
www.cbu.ca