Stewardship Report September 2013 | Page 6

Priority investments Haskayne Founders’ Circle members support many different initiatives at the school, but each year projects are selected as strategic priorities for the campaign. This past year we focused on the following three funds: 1. The Haskayne Experience Strategic Plan Fund advances initiatives that align with the Haskayne Strategic Plan and the University of Calgary’s Eyes High strategic vision to become one of Canada’s top ?ve research universities by 2016. This fund expands research in the areas of ethical leadership, entrepreneurship and energy. In 2012-2013 monies from the fund were invested in PhD students, the key to developing the school’s research program, and this support will continue in 2013-2014. Donations from the Haskayne Founders’ Circle established four $15,000 scholarships to support top new PhD students, making a signi?cant impact on our recruitment efforts. This year we received nearly double the number of last year’s applications from potential PhD candidates and made offers to 14 students, 13 of whom accepted. We will welcome these new students to campus this fall to begin their research. In the past year we were able to provide current students with support for conference travel, as presenting papers and networking with colleagues from across the globe is essential for researchers. Thanks to the Haskayne Experience Strategic Plan Fund, four students were able to present papers at major conferences in the United States. Their research topics included tax accounting, supply chain management, operations policy and small business development. An additional four PhD students received summer research grants for successful papers and presentations completed last year.