UBC Development and Alumni Engagement

10/05/2026

What if some of the smallest organisms on Earth could help clean up mine-impacted water and waste? At UBC’s Bradshaw Research Institute for Minerals and Mining, researchers are finding new ways to reduce mining’s environmental footprint and carbon emissions.

Inspired by Dr. Peter Bradshaw’s philanthropic vision, BRIMM connects scientists, engineers, industry partners and Indigenous communities to turn ideas into practical solutions.

Discover how donor support is helping push mining research forward toward a more sustainable, equitable and inclusive future:

Discover how one donor's vision is helping BRIMM unite UBC researchers to tackle mining's biggest sustainability challenges.

09/25/2026

Today, UBC formally celebrated the newly named MacIsaac Health Building and the historic $40-million gift from Matthew and Natalie MacIsaac—the largest ever made to a Canadian school of nursing.

This future-ready hub for health innovation is home to the MacIsaac School of Nursing, School of Kinesiology, UBC Student Health and Wellbeing, Arts Research Commons and the Team-Based Care Teaching Clinic.

Now accepting patients, BC’s first team-based teaching clinic will provide primary care for up to 4,450 patients without a regular provider, while students from nine health disciplines learn alongside licensed health professionals.

The MacIsaac Health Building reflects UBC’s vision for the future of health education, research and care—bringing disciplines together to advance knowledge and improve health in communities.

UBC receives a historic $40M gift from Matthew and Natalie MacIsaac to advance nursing education, research and health care in BC.

09/25/2026

After cancer interrupted his studies, UBC Okanagan student Samuell Bueno returned to campus with renewed purpose—and a deep appreciation for the community that helped him move forward.

Donor-funded awards provided more than financial assistance. They showed Samuell that others recognized his hard work, believed in his future and wanted him to succeed. Today, he is cancer-free, committed to helping others and inspired to give back to future students one day.

Read how donor generosity helped Samuell overcome extraordinary challenges and embrace everything that lies ahead.

After cancer interrupted his studies, Samuell Bueno returned to UBC Okanagan with renewed purpose, supported by donor generosity.

09/23/2026

At UBC’s Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute, researchers are exploring a world smaller than an atom—where materials reveal properties that could one day transform clean energy, computing and other technologies.

A transformational gift from Stewart Blusson helped establish the institute, creating state-of-the-art facilities and a collaborative environment where researchers like Dr. Sarah Burke can pursue bold questions while training the next generation of scientists.

Discover how philanthropy is helping turn curiosity into discoveries that push quantum research forward: https://give.ubc.ca/impact-stories/blusson-qmi/

09/18/2026

One night in 1998, Professor Peter Loeffler gave five $100 bills to Gerald Vanderwoude (MFA’91), a graduate student running the box office at the Frederic Wood Theatre. The money came with a challenge: to put on a show.

The performance and party that followed proved unforgettable—and the Beckett-themed alumni reunion has returned in one form or another nearly every year since. 28 years later, it continues to draw alumni back to the theatre, where they built so many memories.

Every year, Arts alumni come together to celebrate Samuel Beckett—and support the next generation of theatre students.

09/15/2026

UBC is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Wall Legacy Awards.

This year’s recipients are advancing research focused on sustainability in BC, including work to better understand the microbial networks that sustain our oceans and reduce the impacts of toxic tire-derived chemicals on people and aquatic ecosystems.

Congratulations to Dr. Patrick Keeling from UBC Science and Dr. Rachel Scholes from UBC Faculty of Applied Science, who have each received a $1-million Wall Fellowship, as well as this year’s Wall Research Award recipients.

Dr. Peter Wall’s transformative gift now exceeds $165 million and provides an annual investment in UBC research support.

Meet the 2026 recipients and learn more about their research.

Five years of support will help UBC researchers tackle two emerging environmental challenges.

09/15/2026

Today, we take flight! Let’s Back the 'Birds and join forces to accomplish something great.

Make a gift to the team or cause you care about most at backthebirds.ubc.ca.

09/14/2026

Tomorrow, we have 24 hours to accomplish something great!

Whether you give a little or a lot, your gift on Back the 'Birds goes towards supporting our student-athletes and game-changing programs.

backthebirds.ubc.ca

Rally behind your UBC Thunderbirds and join us on September 16, 2025 for Back the 'Birds!

09/08/2026

What a day to celebrate the UBC community!

Last Thursday, it was wonderful to come together to mark this historic $40-million gift from UBC alumni Matthew and Natalie MacIsaac.

Their generosity will help shape the future of nursing education, research and health care for generations to come.

Thank you, Matthew and Natalie, for being part of this special moment—and for believing in the people and possibilities that make UBC what it is.

Read more: https://give.ubc.ca/news/40m-gift-largest-canadian-school-of-nursing/

09/08/2026

One week today, let’s take flight! Together, we can show the world what it means to be a part of the Thunderbird community.

Support UBC student-athletes and game-changing programs on September 15.

Find out more: backthebirds.ubc.ca