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In addition to offering their time and talent, all 21 members of the University Commons Campaign Cabinet have contributed financially to the $5 million fundraising effort. The cabinet includes a cross-section of alumni, faculty, staff, business leaders and friends from Saint John and beyond. They are among many community members supporting the University Commons, a building that will fulfill student needs and become the central hub of Tucker Park. “The University Commons will have a positive impact on the City of Saint John as well as the University of New Brunswick,” said Don and Mary Ann Ketchum, Royal LePage real estate agents and Commons Campaign Co-Chairs. “By investing in this campaign we also invest in our province, our students and our future.” Since 1964, the University of New Brunswick’s Saint John campus has grown from 40 local students to more than 2,400 students from 45 countries. With the addition of the New Brunswick Community College Allied Health building and a new medical education program, the number of students on campus will grow significantly over the next few years and the Commons will stand as a facility dedicated to serving all students. “Supporting this campaign was an easy decision,” said Bill Stanley, Chairman of Atlantic Hydrogen Inc. and University Commons Campaign Cabinet Honorary Chair. “The campus needs to have a place where university and community members can come together and the Commons will give us that.” The University Commons will provide a state-of-the-art learning and social environment for students, faculty, staff and the community at large. Itn will also be the University of New Brunswick’s first “green” building with a rating of silver from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). “The Commons is going to change the face of this campus – there’s no doubt about that – but it’s also going to change the City of Saint John,” said Robert McKinnon, UNB Saint John’s Vice-President. “This project is about strengthening a community and building partnerships that will last a lifetime.” To date, over $20 million has been donated to the University Commons and as construction continues on the Saint John campus, the campaign cabinet is actively working with alumni and community members to successfully reach the current $5 million target. “Thanks to the generosity of our donors, including the entire campaign cabinet, we’re within sight of our goal,” said Eddy Campbell, UNB’s President. “Each donation, no matter how big or small, brings us one step closer to turning our vision into a reality.” The Commons Project is a $25-million fundraising initiative to support the construction of the University Commons building on UNB’s Saint John campus.  When completed in 2011, the building will be an architectural landmark on campus and provide a new library, learning commons, Student Technology Centre, Writing Centre, the Math & Science Help Center, and Café. For more information, or to donate, visit www.unbsj.ca/commons, or contact the Campaign Manager, Marion Williams, at 648-5989.