Impact of Giving

The late Jack Iwanicki was one of the defining members of UNB’s philosophy department and a mentor to students, faculty and staff for more than 30 years. On Monday, Feb. 24, the university community honoured his many contributions to UNB by dedicating The Jack Iwanicki Common Room.

Jack Iwanicki trained as a lawyer before obtaining his MA in philosophy at the University of Toronto. He came to UNB in 1965 as a lecturer in philosophy and progressed through the ranks to professor, retiring in 1996. His interdisciplinary background led him to found UNB’s Law in Society program. He combined a keen intellect with a sense of humor and generosity of spirit, and was deeply admired.

In addition to serving as chair of the philosophy department, Iwanicki took on the duties of acting chair of departments that were experiencing internal strife. His skills as an adjudicator were well known outside the university. He played an essential role, provincially and nationally, in resolving many important disputes through well-reasoned, published decisions.

Jack and his wife, Eileen, who also worked for UNB, were at the social centre of the philosophy department. Through them, students at the university became more engaged in the life of the community, while raising awareness in the community of the many contributions that students and faculty members make to Fredericton’s cultural life.

Upon their deaths, the Iwanickis made a legacy gift of $2.8 million to the university in support of students and faculty. This is among the largest gifts ever made to UNB from a faculty member.

One of the students they influenced was Dr. Paul J. Mazerolle, UNB’s president and vice chancellor.

“For myself and many other students at UNB, Jack was more than a teacher,” said Dr. Mazerolle. “He was a friend and a mentor.”

“Jack left more than $1,000,000 to UNB Fredericton’s faculty of arts and more than $1,000,000 to the philosophy department in addition to creating three fully funded scholarships for UNB students in Fredericton and Saint John. Given the esteem in which he was held by his colleagues and students and the extent of his legacy, it is fitting that the philosophy department honour Jack by naming this student common room in his memory,” said Dr. Mazerolle.

Anne Pugh, a colleague, longtime friend and former member of the philosophy department, said, “UNB meant so much to Jack and Eileen. They wanted to ensure they could keep helping students and colleagues after they were gone. The dedication of this common room in Jack’s name is a wonderful tribute to the role they played in supporting and encouraging students.”