Fanshawe College's School of Building Technology is being renamed after the late Donald J. Smith, founder of EllisDon.
The announcement was made at the school this morning, where Smith's son announced a $1-million donation towards Fanshawe's construction programs.
Officials say the relationship between the Smith family and the school is long-standing.
Smith was the first recipient of an honorary diploma from the school in 1992. His wife, Joan Smith was also granted an honorary diploma in 2008. The pair served as co-chairs for one of Fanshawe's capital campaigns, which raised $15-million in 2008.
“I am so pleased to make this special announcement on behalf of my mother and our family. We are delighted to be recognizing our father with the naming of the Donald J. Smith School of Building Technology at Fanshawe,” says Donald R. Smith. “Our dad (Don Smith) was always committed to assisting young students pursue their educational goals. EllisDon also benefited as many of Fanshawe graduates joined our company and quickly moved into management positions. They were very much part of the team who have elevated EllisDon into a world class construction company."
The Donald J. Smith School of Building Technology offers programs in civil engineering technology, architectural technology, construction and apprenticeships .
The college is currently working towards raising $100-million for four priority projects through the "Remarkable" campaign.