Honouring a legacy of support

by Chris Thackray

Allen and Loreen Vandekerkhove

The Sedgewick Building’s B-wing, which houses the centre for studies in religion and society (CSRS), has been renamed the Allen and Loreen Vandekerkhove Wing.

Allen and Loreen Vandekerkhove, both recipients of honorary degrees from the university, are being honoured for their many years of support for the centre. In 1990, the couple made a leadership gift of $1 million, which was instrumental in establishing the centre.

"Allen and Loreen Vandekerkhove have enriched our community and our university immeasurably," says Dr. Conrad Brunk, director of CSRS. "Their desire to enhance the quality of life of the citizens of Victoria and Vancouver Island, and their generous support of the centre is evidence of their deep affection for our community, and of their love of learning. We’re delighted we can honour them in this way."

Since its official opening in 1993, the centre has become an internationally recognized site for the study of religion and society. It supports numerous research projects on- and off-campus that have resulted in contributions to scholarship and dialogue among religious communities and other academic disciplines in the sciences, arts and social sciences.

The Vandekerkhove Family Fellowship at the CSRS allows graduate students and visiting faculty the opportunity to work at the centre and enjoy its scholarly and collegial atmosphere.

The Vandekerkhove family business, Pay Less Gas, founded by Allen and Loreen in 1972, was well-known for its support of organized sports, sponsoring many of the larger teams and countless youth leagues around Vancouver Island.

Through Pay Less Gas, and later, through the Vandekerkhove Foundation (founded in 1991), the family has supported and sponsored numerous community events, sports clubs and charities to the tune of more than $500,000 every year since 1985.