UBC gratefully honours the life of our friend Peter Wall, one of Vancouver’s leading land developers and philanthropists. The word “visionary” is often used to describe successful leaders. In the case of Peter, “prescient” might be an even more accurate descriptor. His willingness to invest in the future and to see the potential in people and what they can achieve is part of his legacy to the city, the province and UBC. On behalf of UBC, I wish to extend my most sincere condolences to Peter’s family and loved ones.
Peter’s deep history of support for UBC was coupled with a strong belief in its potential to become a top-tier North American university, a vision he helped to achieve. He made the largest donation by an individual in UBC’s history, in 1991, to create the Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies. A first of its kind in Canada, the Institute gave leading scholars from UBC and around the world a place to engage beyond conventional boundaries in pursuit of new knowledge and discoveries.
In 2022, through Peter’s generosity, UBC launched the Wall Fellowships and Wall Research Awards, resulting in one of the largest known internal awards programs at any university in North America. A total of $4 million is awarded each year to support faculty and graduate students to advance their research relating to sustainability in the areas of urban development, water, energy, transportation infrastructure, environmental protection of oceans and waterfronts as well as resource-intensive industries in BC.
The Wall Legacy Awards speak to the confidence that Peter had in UBC’s dedication to sustainability and his belief that the recipients would continue to shape a better world through new approaches and ground-breaking solutions to the challenges we face.
It is hard to imagine UBC today without our culture of interdisciplinary thinking, innovation and research excellence, which was first empowered by Peter’s extraordinary foresight and his ongoing support. UBC is grateful for such generosity—and for its enduring impact.
Peter’s legacy at UBC thrives, driving innovation and knowledge. His contribution will enrich the scholarly and cultural life of UBC for generations to come. I know I am joined by many others at UBC and beyond in continuing to be inspired by his incredible vision.
“Look for the star of hope, it is there.” Dr. Peter Wall, LLD ’95
Benoit-Antoine Bacon
President and Vice-Chancellor