Dr. Eric Jackman ICS Building Campaign and Our Future

A Vision for an International Landmark for Children's Development and Education at the University of Toronto

Largest gift ever made in Canada to early development and childhood education by Institute alumnus

...just $1.2 million left to reach our goal of $12 million

The Institute’s Building Campaign, which is an expansion and renovation project, has just begun its public and final phase. Almost $11 million has been raised towards a Building Campaign Goal of $12 million. A few wonderful spaces are still available for naming opportunities.

For more information or to make a donation, please contact Robin Farb, Advancement and Capital Campaign Director: 416-934-4515; robin.farb@utoronto.ca

Improved education and re-defining optimal development for children and families in Ontario, across Canada, and around the world are the over-arching goals of the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study. Since 1925/1926, the Institute has been a leader in setting new standards for children’s education and well-being, and it continues to raise the bar for excellence through its uniquely integrated, tri-partite mission:

• graduate teacher education — Master of Arts in Child Study & Education at ICS
• demonstrating teaching practice rooted in inquiry-based learning — ICS Lab School
• innovative research — Laidlaw Research Centre at ICS

Campaign Progress

2011 marks a very exciting year. Not only are we celebrating our 85th anniversary, but we have recently received two landmark gifts that will truly transform the Institute.

On December 2nd, 2010 the University of Toronto announced that Dr. Eric Jackman donated $5 million to the Institute of Child Study – the largest gift in Canada for early development and childhood education. At an evening Reception at Simcoe Hall that same day it was announced that Margaret and Wallace McCain donated $3 million to the Institute. In recognition of Dr. Jackman’s gift, U of T has renamed the 85-year-old Institute of Child Study the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study (EJ-ICS), which is part of the University’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE).(there are 2 depts represented, so I suggest we not name them). The planned new wing in the Institute’s expanded facility, the Margaret and Wallace McCain Pavilion at the EJ-ICS, is named for Margaret and Wallace McCain in recognition of their generous gift to the University.

The Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study, with its tripartite mission, is one of the few places in the world to integrate advanced research, renowned graduate teacher training and a demonstration model of practical elementary schooling, all in one place.
“Dr. Jackman’s gift demonstrates his firm belief in the Institute’s unique and integrated approach to the study of human development, family dynamics and childhood education,” said U of T President David Naylor. “We are already a leader in this area. With Eric Jackman’s support, we can build on these strong foundations, continue to innovate, and develop best practices that will improve outcomes of early childhood education for children and families everywhere.”

Two landmark gifts will transform Institute’s future

Founded in 1925-26, the Institute and its Lab School have exerted a profound influence on early education. Institute research led directly to the adoption of the Ontario Day Nurseries Act in 1942. Almost 70 years later, the Institute continues to lead the way. Ontario’s recently-announced Full-Day Early Learning Kindergarten program was modeled in large part on Institute findings and recommendations.

“I am pleased to be able to make a financial contribution to one of my lifelong interests – the understanding of early human development, and to enlightening educators and parents alike to the very best child-rearing and educational practices,” said Dr. Eric Jackman. “I believe that supporting the Institute, one of the original child study centres in North America with which I have a personal connection, will enhance our knowledge of how we develop and learn.”

After completing his B.A. and M.A. at U of T, Eric Jackman earned a doctoral degree in human development and psychology at the University of Chicago, where he did early field work at the University of Chicago Laboratory School. Dr. Jackman was an award-winning clinical psychologist in the United States before returning to Toronto, and currently serves as President of the Psychology Foundation of Canada. Dr. Jackman is Chancellor Emeritus of the University of Windsor. Among his many honours are the CMHA C.M. Hincks National Award for Mental Health, Canada’s 125th Anniversary Commemorative Medal, Her Majesty’s Golden Jubilee Medal, the Order of Ontario, and he has been recognized by three Ontario universities with honorary doctor of laws degrees.

A community leader, Dr. Jackman, together with his wife Sara Jackman, has combined a passion for the arts and education with tireless dedication to family well-being. Dr. Eric Jackman and his three siblings – Chancellor Emeritus (U of T) Hal Jackman, the Rev. Edward Jackman and Senator Nancy Ruth – all attended what is now known as the Jackman Institute Lab School.

The Hon. Margaret Norrie McCain, former Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick, has been a powerful advocate for women’s rights and is a dedicated champion for early childhood development in Canada. In 1999, Mrs. McCain joined Dr. Fraser Mustard in co-authoring the Early Years Study; and in 2007 she co-authored the Early Years Study 2: Putting Science into Action. These two reports for Ontario describe what our society needs to effectively support young children and families. A renewed Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study is being expanded to address many of these needs and provide leadership for parents, teachers and other professionals.

The Margaret and Wallace McCain Pavilion, added to the back of the Institute’s Leighton G. McCarthy House (on Walmer Road), will face Spadina Road and will feature a large multi-purpose auditorium/gymnasium, seminar rooms and modern classrooms to better serve the Institute’s graduate program, Lab School, and Dr. R.G.N. Laidlaw Research Centre. The McCain Pavilion will allow the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study to open its doors to serve Toronto families for best-practice teaching and family learning; as well as welcome the broader education community and related disciplines. Additional programming will be undertaken in partnership with governments, public school boards and professional and community agencies.

For more information or to make a donation to the Dr. Eric Jackman ICS Building Campaign, please contact Robin Farb, Advancement and Capital Campaign Director, at (416) 934-4515, or by email: robin.farb@utoronto.ca.

Support for what we do today and tomorrow, from two of Canada's leading child advocates (Co-authors "Early Years Report") . . .

“Your Campaign to expand [the Institute of Child Study] is valuable. It is important because of an increasing need for staff who can integrate early child development with the public education
system.”

Dr. J. Fraser Mustard
Co-author, Ontario's Early Years Reports
The Founder’s Network/Council for Early Child Development

"An expanded Institute of Child Study, featuring a large public assembly place, will serve to set the bar higher for quality community outreach programs in literacy, parenting, and other related activities that will benefit from a research-based and leading professional education environment for our families."

Hon. Margaret Norrie McCain
Co-author, Ontario's Early Years Report
Former Lt. Gov. for New Brunswick
The Founder’s Network/Council for Early Child Development