Hours after he was named a Companion of the Order of Canada, Flames co-owner Harley Hotchkiss delivered 39 million reasons why he's been so honoured.
Five years after donating $10 million to create the University of Calgary brain institute bearing his name, it was revealed yesterday the petroleum geologist and philanthropist has bequeathed to it another $39 million.
That makes the endowment fund now totalling $64 million, the U of C's largest -- a distinction noted by outgoing university President Dr. Harvey Weingarten.
"Harley Hotchkiss demonstrates the kind of generosity and commitment that defines Calgary," said Weingarten.
The gift, he said, will "ensure the university can make the discoveries and develop the treatments that have already helped so many in the past and will in the future."
Hotchkiss said he still feels fortunate to call Calgary home and advancing research into neurology is a way of giving back.
And he said living with a brain aneurism has also been a motivator.
"I understand the tremendous importance of research," he said.
"I've always been fascinated by the brain, for some reason."
Last year, one of Hotchkiss' friends, famed U.S. oilman T. Boone Pickens, donated $25 million to the institute.
That generosity, said Weingarten, has made the Hotchkiss Brain Institute an international leader in the field.
The ascent of the U of C's research reputation is one of his proudest legacies as president, he added.
"Our faculty, researchers and staff allow us to compete at the highest international standards," said Weingarten.
"I have a huge degree of optimism and confidence in the future of the U of C because of the degree of community engagement."
BILL.KAUFMANN@SUNMEDIA.CA