The Landmark $2.6 Million Gift to Mount Allison University
Mount Allison University (MtA), a leading undergraduate institution in Sackville, New Brunswick, has received a transformative $2.6 million gift from philanthropists Andrew Brenton, a 1980 alumnus, and Kerry Wood. Announced on April 14, 2026, this donation establishes the Brenton Wood Environmental Sustainability Research & Initiatives Fund, designed to propel interdisciplinary research efforts addressing pressing environmental challenges. The fund will empower students and faculty to tackle issues like climate change, ecosystem health, and sustainable practices through hands-on projects and innovative studies.
This gift arrives at a pivotal moment for Canadian higher education, where universities are increasingly prioritizing sustainability amid growing climate pressures. MtA's small size—around 2,000 students—belies its outsized impact in undergraduate research, particularly in environmental sciences, making this funding a catalyst for national-level contributions.
Profile of the Donors: Andrew Brenton and Kerry Wood
Andrew Brenton, who graduated from MtA with a Bachelor of Science in 1980, and his wife Kerry Wood have a longstanding commitment to education and environmental causes in the Maritimes. Their philanthropy began with the establishment of the Brenton Wood Scholarship in 2015, providing $48,000 over four years ($12,000 annually) to high-achieving students from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Recipients like Charlie Basque-Gravel, a third-year biology student, credit the scholarship with validating their environmental work.
The couple's Brenton Wood Foundation reflects their dedication, and this latest gift builds on their legacy, shifting focus from individual scholarships to institution-wide research capacity. As Brenton noted during the announcement event, their support stems from a desire to foster real-world change through MtA's renowned undergraduate mentorship model.
Fund Objectives and Allocation
The Brenton Wood Fund will finance collaborative projects across disciplines, including biology, chemistry, geography, and environmental science. Priority areas encompass aquatic biomonitoring, freshwater ecosystems, Geographic Information Systems (GIS; a technology for mapping and analyzing spatial data), sustainability practices, and responses to environmental change. Funds will support lab equipment, field expeditions, student stipends, and faculty release time for research.
- Student-led research grants for summer projects and theses
- Interdisciplinary team grants involving faculty from multiple departments
- Equipment upgrades for labs studying contaminants and climate impacts
- Community outreach initiatives partnering with local Indigenous groups and governments
Provost and Vice-President Academic and Research Dr. Richard Isnor emphasized, “This generous new gift will strengthen environmental research at Mount Allison for years to come... enabling students and faculty to pursue meaningful research, ask important questions, and contribute to solutions.”
Alignment with MtA's Strategic Plan
MtA's 2025-2030 Strategic Plan places fiscal and environmental sustainability at its core, committing to reduced carbon footprints, net-zero campus operations, and leadership in climate adaptation. The university participates in national net-zero toolkits and maintains an Environmental Issues Committee for policy and education. This gift directly advances these goals, enhancing research infrastructure amid a projected 2% enrollment dip to 680 new students in 2025-26.
Recent efforts include the Campus Climate Challenge for energy savings and Policy 2101 for emission reductions via biomass heating transitions. The fund will integrate with these, funding studies on campus sustainability metrics.
Photo by Zulfugar Karimov on Unsplash
Enhancing Undergraduate Research Opportunities
MtA excels in undergraduate research, with programs like Independent Student Research Grants ($9,000 awards) and Research Support Fund allocations ($290,000 in 2024-25). The new fund expands this, allowing more students like Basque-Gravel—who studies biology amid legacy pollutants—to lead projects. “It confirms that this work matters... our effort can lead to real change,” Basque-Gravel shared.
Students will gain skills in fieldwork, data analysis, and policy advocacy, preparing them for careers in environmental consulting, government, and NGOs. This aligns with Canada's push for highly qualified personnel (HQP) in green sectors.
Spotlight on Key Research Labs and Faculty
The fund bolsters labs like Dr. Josh Kurek's, where recent PLOS One research revealed persistent DDT contamination in New Brunswick lakes from 1950s-60s aerial spraying. Brook trout in impacted lakes showed ΣDDT levels 10x above guidelines (15-179 ng/g wet weight), linked to sediments.Read the full study
The ECAB Lab focuses on lake responses to legacy contaminants and emerging stressors using paleolimnology (study of ancient lake sediments). Faculty in Geography & Environment, including Canada Research Chair Dr. Jesse Popp in Indigenous Environmental Science, will collaborate on biodiversity and resilience projects.
Student Testimonials and Impacts
Recent Brenton Wood Scholars like Erin Vandenheuvel (Science, PEI) and Ella Beatrice Doucet (Health Studies, NB) highlight the donors' role in accessibility. The fund extends this, funding experiential learning that Statistics Canada notes boosts employability in sustainability fields, where demand grows 8% annually.
Broader Implications for New Brunswick and Canada
New Brunswick faces acute climate risks—rising seas, forest die-offs—making MtA's work vital. The gift positions the university as a hub, partnering with Atlantic Cancer Research Institute on environmental health. Nationally, amid $19B higher ed R&D (33% of Canada's total), such donations counter funding gaps. For details, see the official MtA announcement.
Trends in Canadian Higher Education Sustainability
2026 sees surging sustainability focus: 64% postsecondary attainment, with STEM green programs up. Gifts like MtA's mirror trends, e.g., $405M from foundations for climate. MtA's Canada Impact+ Chairs target coastal resilience, amplifying impact.
- Increased ESG investments in endowments
- Federal Sustainable Development Strategy progress reports
- Net-zero campus pledges by 80% of unis
Future Outlook: A Greener Legacy
The fund promises decades of innovation, from GIS mapping freshwater threats to policy on legacy pollutants. As Canada aims for net-zero by 2050, MtA's model—undergrad-driven, donor-fueled—offers a blueprint. Explore research jobs at AcademicJobs.com/research-jobs to join such efforts.
This gift not only boosts MtA but inspires peers, ensuring future generations inherit actionable solutions.
