£1m donation to support chemistry at York

Posted on Monday 3 October 2016

Dr Wild, a leading businessman and philanthropist, has been a long-time supporter of chemistry at York.

Along with the £1m donation, Dr Wild has pledged a further £1.37m against funds raised by the Department of Chemistry and the University over the next five years.

The gift will support world-leading research and infrastructure projects across atmospheric chemistry and chemical and structural biology.

His donation will also help to support future generations of students through the creation of a new teaching facility.

The University of York’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Koen Lamberts said: “The support from Dr Wild really does transform what we do here at the University of York. It helps us to raise our aspirations and unlock other sources of funding for our research and teaching.

"The Department of Chemistry’s success in both teaching and research has been enhanced significantly through Dr Wild's support.”

Professor Duncan Bruce, Head of the Department of Chemistry, said: “We are one of the UK's leading departments - recognised internationally for our teaching and research.

“Through Dr Wild’s support we aim to develop yet further and enhance our outstanding facilities and research opportunities for students and academics.”

Through the Wild Scholarship programme, Dr Wild has enabled more than 67 international postgraduate students to study chemistry at York.

He was instrumental in establishing the internationally recognised Wolfson Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratories, and in 2015 encouraged more than 120 alumni and friends of the Department of Chemistry to support the Department’s 50th anniversary in aid of undergraduate internships and postdoctoral fellowships.

In all, Dr Wild’s support over the past eight years has helped leverage more than £30million in external funding for the University in priority areas.

Student Madeline Hartley received funding through the Wild Scholarships programme.

She said: “This award allowed me to study at York without having to worry as much about finances. It was also a huge confidence boost – proving to me that someone believed I was good enough and that has been really important.”

Wild Scholar Olga Semenova added: “Dr Wild’s support allowed me to study at an outstandingly high-level university. Without this generous award this dream wouldn’t have been possible.”