McMaster University's Ron Joyce Centre has received a $1-million gift for the Burlington campus, which is set to accept its first students in September.

The donation – made by The Marinucci Family Foundation – was announced this morning at the DeGroote School of Business.

“We are grateful for this very important investment in our Burlington campus and commitment to the expansion of the business school. The Ron Joyce Centre will provide remarkable opportunities for our students and lasting benefits for the community and beyond,” said Peter George, President of McMaster University.

John Marinucci – the retired President and CEO of bus manufacturer New Flyer Industries Canada – his wife Tracy, one of their four children, and family and friends were on hand for the announcement.

The Marinucci Family Auditorium, located in the heart of the Ron Joyce Centre, is to be named in their honour. The 250-seat classroom is the largest teaching and presentation space within the building.

“We believe strongly in the value of post secondary school education, so it was important to my family to support the new Burlington campus,” said Marinucci. “We want to help provide students with the foundation for an excellent education and the world-class programs and facilities they will need to be successful business leaders.”

He and Tracy have close ties with McMaster University. John graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1980 and his son, Santino, is currently enrolled in sociology. In 2008, the family established two academic grants to be awarded annually to a graduate student in business and a student in the arts. The grants were made in memory of their parents, who never had the opportunity to go to university but were passionate believers in the value of education

“We are entering an exciting new phase in our history as a business school and this gift will have a significant and long lasting impact, ensuring our students and faculty will thrive in this extraordinary period of expansion,” said Paul Bates, dean of the DeGroote School of Business.

Entrepreneur and philanthropist Ron Joyce made an early commitment to the project, donating $10-million in 2007.

The Centre will be the new home of DeGroote's MBA program and will also offer executive education opportunities for business professionals, specialized master's degree programs as well as non degree programs. It is expected that by 2013 the campus will have upwards of 800 students enrolled in graduate and executive programs.

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