September 25, 2008 -  Dr. Marvin Fritzler, member of both the Ambrose Board and the Campaign Development Team, is excited at the prospect that the campus can be built debt-free.

Now that construction is well into the completion phase, it appears that the final cost of the campus will be close to $37 M.  With $12.6M already raised, $7.9M pledged and the potential sale of 4 acres at the west edge of the campus for $2.5M for a total of $23M, the Campaign for Ambrose is $14M from the debt-free goal.

"A debt-free campus will allow us to target our operating revenues toward strategic academic programs and student-related resources.  It will also get us moving on the phase two expansion that will likely include a performing arts/chapel, more academic space and a second residence", says Dr. Fritzler.

 He is investing his resources; money, influence and energy in helping the Campaign for Ambrose make the final push to raise the final 38% of the campaign goal of $37M.

As Chairman of the Board of the Alberta Science and Research Authority, an organization established by the Government of Alberta to provide strategy and policy advice in science, research, technology and innovation, Dr. Fritzler has a direct stake in the development of Ambrose's programs.

He is therefore convinced that Ambrose needs to devote operating resources to the education of future health care practitioners, researchers and professionals in a broad spectrum of fields.

"We need a generation of graduates who are equipped with an excellent education that challenges and shapes them intellectually, spiritually and socially", says Dr. Fritzler.  "Such graduates will have a truly transforming impact on our society and around the globe."

A current example of such a graduate is Ambrose alum Callie Clark who is a PhD student in the faculty of medicine at the University of Calgary doing research in the area of Parkinson's disease.  Among other scholarships and awards, Ms. Clark has received the prestigious Achievers in Medical Science Graduate Recruitment Scholarship.  She is exactly the kind of Ambrose graduate who exemplifies the vision of Dr. Fritzler and the Ambrose Board.

Dr. Fritzler is encouraged by the progress of the campaign so far and anticipates seeing it reach the final goal of $37M. 

"Ambrose has tremendous potential as an exemplary Christian university in the Canadian post-secondary scene", he concludes.  "Timely completion of the Campaign for Ambrose will accelerate the achievement of this goal."

Contact: Gordon Dirks VP External Relations
Phone: 403.410.2904
Email: gdirks@ambrose.edu