University of Saskatchewan president Peter Stoicheff and vice-president of university relations Cheryl Hamelin highlight the total amount raised -- $570,739,155 -- for the school's Be What the World Needs capital campaign. Photo taken in Saskatoon, Sask. on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. Photo by Michelle Berg /Saskatoon StarPhoenix Ryker Frank has rushed across the goal line more times than any player in University of Saskatchewan football history.
Hes now celebrating the U of S reaching another historic finish line.
The university on Wednesday confirmed what was seemingly long inevitable: its Be What the World Needs capital campaign has surpassed the $500-million target set two years ago. Thanks to around 101,000 donations made by approximately 27,000 donors, the largest capital campaign ever in Saskatchewan raised $570,739,155.
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Knowing that we have people in our corner rooting for us and giving us the tools that we need to succeed, it makes the hard days easier, said Frank, a Huskies running back and a fourth-year student in the demanding College of Engineering.
Frank, serving as a public ambassador for the school, has seen first-hand from multiple perspectives the value of the campaign. He points to a $750,000 donation made by Rob and Nerissa Dutton towards the Engineering Design Hub and the expansion of the Huskies clubhouse at Griffiths Stadium.
Gifts like this inspire me to keep working hard both in academics and athletics. Often, its difficult to remain motivated through practices, exams, and when the weeks get busy, said Frank, a native of Regina.
It makes getting out of bed easier knowing that donors like Rob want to see us at our best, and we as student-athletes dont want to let them down.
University of Saskatchewan president Peter Stoicheff and vice-president of university relations Cheryl Hamelin are celebrating the total amount raised $570,739,155 for the schools Be What the World Needs capital campaign. Photo taken in Saskatoon, Sask. on Tuesday, June 17, 2025.
Photo by Michelle Berg
/Saskatoon StarPhoenix
Dutton, an engineering alumnus and member of the 1990 national-champion football squad, has spent three decades working in the food, oil and gas, and power generation industries. Much of his success comes from what he learned on the field and in the classroom at the U of S, he says.
High-level sports really give you an understanding of teamwork: How each role has its own importance, how to collectively come together to work towards common goals, and knowing that when you have a role, its important to fulfil it, Dutton said.
This campaign is a chance to be part of a successful team, and it highlights the breadth to which the University of Saskatchewan has had impact around the world. Thats why we chose to support it, to help build upon the universitys incredible legacy.
The campaign has long touted plans to support research programs, Indigenous achievement, student success and new and improved spaces on campus.
College of Law graduate Kennedy Marley, a Metis woman from the Regina area, said she is pleased with the world-wide response to the campaign. Contributions came from donors residing in or hailing from 44 countries.
Marley, one of two Rhodes Scholars from the U of S in the 2024-25 academic year, said seeing the campaign shine light on and pay particular attention to Indigenous students and their achievements shows me that the University of Saskatchewan takes the journey of reconciliation seriously. The university is not simply paying lip service to the process.
A windup celebration attracted around 900 people on Wednesday at Merlis Belsher Place, the $52-million multi-sport facility that houses the home arena for the Huskie mens and womens hockey teams along with a two-court practice gym for the womens and mens basketball teams. The facility became a reality thanks largely to a $12.25-million gift from U of S alumnus Merlis Belsher.
This campaign is already transforming our university, and its impact will be felt for generations to come, said U of S president Peter Stoicheff, who last month at a campaign presser noted that the school was actually sprinting through that ($500-million) goal.
Vice-president of university relations Cheryl Hamelin said the school reached a major milestone, and it was accomplished through teamwork and thousands of people coming together.
Although the campaign itself is wrapping up, (the universitys) efforts to be what the world needs continue to gain momentum, Hamelin added.
Together, we made history, and we cant wait to see what else we can achieve together.
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BY THE NUMBERS
10 Years since the campaign unofficially launched. In April 2023, the $500-million campaign was branded Be What The World Needs.
$570,739,155 Amount raised towards the campaign.
101,000 Approximate number of donations to the campaign, from around 27,000 donors.
2,600 Campus initiatives supported.
10,500 First-time donors to the U of S.
11.1 Approximate percentage (one out of every nine) of alumni who contributed a gift to the campaign.
7,800 Donations in support of Huskies student-athletes.
44 Countries in which campaign donors currently reside or hail from.
23 Research chairs established.
950 Scholarships created to support Indigenous students.
3,921 Donations to support mental health and emergency funding for students in need.
$90M Investments into learning environments, athletics facilities, and collaborative spaces.
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