The King's Connection Magazine Volume 24 // Number 2 | Page 15

Leder Family
difference: JOHN & SALLY LEDER of the Supreme
Group (steel and fabrication companies); JIM & MAGDA
DYKSTRA, founders of Dykstra Construction; RALPH &
JANE BRUINSMA, Triangle Three Services Ltd.; and
FRED & MELANIE JOHANNESEN, COBALT Investments
Ltd. These four families together pledged $12 million to make
the school a reality—the largest gifts in King’s history. Their
vision has already attracted other donors to the school. And
the positive impact for the rest of King’s includes freeing up
funds from our overall operating budget that were earmarked
for the Commerce program, which now can be applied to
other areas of the institution.
“This is a major vote of confidence from our supporting
community,” says DR. MELANIE HUMPHREYS, President
of The King’s University. “These amazing new gifts from
our donors will allow us to expand our Commerce program

through leading edge initiatives, setting King’s apart from
many other Business programs in Western Canada. Our
current Commerce program is highly regarded and has
helped launch many successful careers, but limited funding
has so far restricted our ability to broaden our course
offerings and faculty expertise.”
Expanding King’s already successful Bachelor of Commerce
program, the school offers a four-year degree, designed to
inspire and equip students to be leaders on a global scale,
leaders who transform the world they live in as stewards of
God’s kingdom and the resources He has given us.
“King’s is poised to deliver the next level of leading edge
education in business and meet a crucial opportunity in the
broader Christian community. We’re excited to partner with a
group of visionary advisors and sponsors to help us meet this
challenge,” says President Humphreys.
Board of Governors Chair BILL DIEPEVEEN agrees,
adding, “We need more people in business who come with
a Christian perspective, who understand what justice and
mercy are all about in the field of commerce.”
The immediate result of the new school of business includes
retaining students who can now fulfill all their requirements
at King’s to earn their accountant designation, thanks to new
Accounting courses. The school is also adding a course
on Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Business, and
signing three memoranda of understanding with Christian

Jack and Avlyn VandeBorn
representing Ralph and Jane Bruinsma

Johannesen Family

The King’s Connection /// Fall 2014 /// 13