$5-million gift establishes Slogotski Hunt Centre for Entrepreneurship at USask

Slogotski, a USask graduate and longtime leader in real estate development and education, and Hunt, also a USask alum and retired social worker, are committed to ensuring future generations of students have the resources, connections, and opportunities they need to succeed in business.   

“Thedra and I believe every student should have the chance to gain valuable entrepreneurial skills, no matter their college or field of study,” said Slogotski. “Throughout my career, and with Thedra’s support through my own business journey, we’ve seen first-hand how taking risks and cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset can enrich your life. We are thrilled to support this centre that will give USask students that same opportunity.”

Named in honour of Slogotski and Hunt, the centre will support student ventures, faculty innovation and community partnerships while strengthening Saskatchewan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and creating connections across Canada and beyond.

“Our government congratulates the University of Saskatchewan on the opening of the Slogotski Hunt Centre for Entrepreneurship,” said Advanced Education Minister Ken Cheveldayoff. “This generous alumni donation will strengthen Saskatchewan’s entrepreneurial community by equipping students to become tomorrow’s business leaders.”

The centre will also provide opportunities for cross-programming with existing USask entrepreneurial initiatives like Opus and Sigma, developing confidence and expertise amongst USask graduates.

“Thanks to Bernie and Thedra’s generous and visionary gift, this new centre will play a transformational role in connecting and uniting entrepreneurial initiatives across USask and within the Saskatchewan entrepreneurial community,” said Peter Stoicheff, USask president and vice-chancellor. “The Slogotski Hunt Centre for Entrepreneurship will serve as a catalyst for economic growth with the potential to significantly contribute to the overall prosperity of our local economy.”

The $5-million gift will support programming and staff at the new centre, which will be based out of USask’s Edwards School of Business and serve as a central hub to unite entrepreneurial initiatives across campus. Programming at the centre will enable students, faculty and researchers to cultivate an interdisciplinary community and help to accelerate ideas from concept to impact.

Celina Clarke, a fourth-year student at Edwards School of Business and aspiring entrepreneur, is excited for what the future centre will offer.

“For me, the Slogotski Hunt Centre for Entrepreneurship symbolizes opportunity and reminds us that innovation thrives when people come together,” said Clarke. “Grounded in mentorship, community, and knowledge-sharing, it will inspire interdisciplinary collaboration that prepares us to meet the needs of our changing world. I am deeply grateful to Bernie Slogotski and Thedra Hunt, whose commitment makes this vision possible and empowers students like me to contribute to Saskatchewan’s future and beyond.”

“Entrepreneurship has always been a cornerstone of the Edwards School of Business, and the Slogotski Hunt Centre for Entrepreneurship elevates that commitment to a new level,” said Dr. Keith Willoughby (PhD), dean of the Edwards School of Business. “This dedicated centre will empower students and faculty to lead boldly, collaborate across disciplines, and transform ideas into impact. We’re proud to contribute our expertise to a campus-wide initiative that will shape entrepreneurial thinking for years to come.”

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For media inquiries, contact:

Victoria Dinh
USask Media Relations
victoria.dinh@usask.ca
306-966-5487