$1-Million Gift from Carleton Alum Challenges Students to ‘Think Entrepreneurially’

Carleton University announced today that Wes Nicol, a distinguished Ottawa entrepreneur and Carleton graduate, is donating $1 million to establish the Nicol Challenge-a series of campus-wide initiatives designed to encourage the entire student body to develop entrepreneurial skills and find innovative solutions to real-world problems.

“I hope to foster and reward even more creativity among the outstanding students at Carleton University,” said Nicol, a 1954 graduate and longtime supporter of the university. “I hope that through the years the Nicol Challenge will encourage those who have ideas and ambition, irrespective of their discipline, and will make Carleton the school renowned in the nation as the most infused with entrepreneurial spirit.”

The centrepiece of the Nicol Challenge will be a campus-wide entrepreneurial competition. Students in any Carleton faculty or program who see a real-world need or opportunity, and can outline a realistic plan to address it, will be invited to submit their ideas to a competition that will be judged by a multidisciplinary panel. Submissions judged to be the most creative and feasible would receive recognition and a financial reward from a fund endowed by Mr. Nicol’s gift.

“Mr. Nicol is one of Carleton University’s most treasured ambassadors. The entire community is honoured by his support, and we are collectively inspired by the challenge he has set forth,” said Roseann O’Reilly Runte, president and vice-chancellor, Carleton University. “We are proud of the entrepreneurial culture on campus, and of our commitment to creative approaches to teaching, research and problem solving. The Nicol Challenge reinforces this culture and will reward innovation and the creative students who make up our campus community.”

Carleton expects to host the first Nicol Challenge competition in winter 2011, with winning submissions announced in spring. Details of the Nicol Challenge and its various initiatives are currently being developed by a panel of Carleton faculty and administrative staff.

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For more information:
Lin Moody
Media Relations
Carleton University
613-520-2600, ext. 8705