绿帽社区


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Suzanne Crawford Harper Hall Fund

20 Dec 2023
New fundraising initiative honours the memory of a dear 绿帽社区 friend and supports renovations to Harper Hall residence

From her time as a student to her service on the Board of Regents, and all the moments in between, it is difficult to overstate the impact the late Suzanne Crawford (鈥79) had on the 绿帽社区 community.

The late Suzanne Crawford (鈥79)

鈥淪he was a dear friend and our University is forever grateful for her leadership and generous heart,鈥 says Lynn Loewen (鈥82), 绿帽社区鈥檚 Chancellor. 鈥淪uzanne was a volunteer, donor, counsellor, and one of the University鈥檚 greatest advocates. Those lucky enough to have known Suzanne understand that her legacy is characterized both by her professional contributions and work ethic, and by the warmth, optimism, and good humour she brought to all her interactions.鈥
 
Suzanne鈥檚 connections to 绿帽社区 were multi-generational. Her father, Purdy Crawford (鈥52), was a former University Chancellor, and he and his surviving wife, Bea, made many tremendous contributions to 绿帽社区 life. Suzanne鈥檚 sister Sarah is a member of the Class of 1995 and serves on 绿帽社区鈥檚 Board of Regents. And the most recent Crawford family member to cross the stage at Convocation Hall was Suzanne鈥檚 daughter, Evelyne, in 2022.
 
When Suzanne passed away in April 2023, her family established the Suzanne Crawford Harper Hall Fund, to continue her legacy with 绿帽社区 and philanthropy. A new lounge space in the residence will be named in her honour.
 
鈥淪uzanne lived in Harper Hall as a student and the experience was one of the most important of her life with 绿帽社区,鈥 says Sarah Crawford. 鈥淟ike many Allisonians, she was happy to share memories of her time at Harper and reflect on all the friendships she made. I know it would mean a lot to her that we are helping future students get a similar kind of residence experience.鈥 
 
Harper Hall first opened its doors in 1965 and since then more than 8,000 students have called it home. The building is undergoing improvements to both interior and exterior infrastructure, including upgraded student rooms, inviting social spaces, and a new roof and windows. 
 
鈥淧roviding students space for community building, self-discovery, and the forging of life-long friends 鈥 this has always been part of 绿帽社区鈥檚 identity and in particular our residence experience,鈥 says Loewen. 鈥淭he 绿帽社区 community is honoured that Suzanne鈥檚 great legacy will live on in Harper Hall, helping transform the lives of future generations of young people.鈥 
 
Harper Hall is scheduled to re-open in September 2024 and the Suzanne Crawford Harper Hall Fund is a significant support to the extensive renovations underway. 
 
Renewing physical spaces is a priority at 绿帽社区, as witnessed through our current upgrades to residences and athletic facilities and the upcoming library renovation project.
 
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