Don and Ruth Taylor 'thrilled' with new building that bears their name

Don and Ruth Taylor are beaming from ear to ear.

The couple is standing on the second floor walkway in the brand new Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning at the University of Calgary, looking around at the building their generous $40-million donation made possible. “We are thrilled with the way this building has turned out,” says Don Taylor. "We had no idea what the interior would look like. It is really remarkable."

The building, with its innovative teaching and collaborative spaces, will promote educational research, provide students with many new hands-on ways to learn, and offer instructors the opportunity to share and experiment with new approaches to teaching and learning. There are beautiful spaces for students to work together — from pods seemingly floating in space, to a giant amphitheatre full of light.

"It’s going to be phenomenal. I don’t think we can have any concept of what this building can do because it’s going to unfold as people come in and work together,” says Ruth Taylor, a former teacher and vice-principal. “The sky’s the limit and in five years I think we will say 'Wow, we didn’t think that would happen!'

The Taylor family is a longtime supporter of education in Alberta. The Taylor Family Foundation, which provided $5 million for the Katthy Taylor Chair in Vascular Dementia, also provided $25 million toward the Taylor Family Digital Library on campus.

"Certainly when projects turn out to be dynamic and beautiful as these buildings and you see them being used by the students and the educators, it's the icing on the cake for us," says Don Taylor. "This facility is a one of a kind and I think it's going to be the vanguard of training and teaching for all major post-secondary institutions in the future."

Taylor, an engineer, started his career working for the Canadian Western Natural Gas Company. In 1966, he became president of Engineered Air, an HVAC equipment manufacturing company that he expanded across North America. He has also been involved in a number of energy companies and other ventures.

"I am a proud Albertan and a proud Calgarian and I take great pride in helping the teaching institutions in our province, and specifically here in Calgary, enhance the quality of the city and the character of the people who live in it," he says.

As the couple continues to explore the new building that bears their name, Ruth Taylor offers a message to the students who will soon be filling the space:  "Enjoy the experience, open your mind and set your sights high."