Friendship that spanned a lifetime leads to legacy gift to the Hotchkiss Brain Institute

Calgary, AB – A US$12.5 million injection of funding from the late American philanthropist and energy industry giant T. Boone Pickens is bringing new opportunities for brain and mental health research at the University of Calgary’s Hotchkiss Brain Institute (HBI) within the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM). The legacy gift — Pickens’ second to the HBI and his only philanthropic giving in Canada — are a nod to the longtime friendship between Pickens and HBI founding philanthropist Harley Hotchkiss, Hon. LLD’96.

“My father and Boone met when Dad was just starting out in his business in the late 1950s, and Boone came up from Texas to start a business here in Canada. T. Boone Pickens was larger than life — he was a legend, a storyteller, a joke-teller and a straight shooter. They hit it off right away. They both valued hard work and just had a huge respect for each other.”

Brenda Mackie, president, The Hotchkiss Family Foundation

The two also shared a passion for medical philanthropy, including brain and mental health research.

“The discoveries of scholars at the Hotchkiss Brain Institute are bringing hope to patients and families around the world and this will only be strengthened by Mr. Pickens’ philanthropic leadership. The University of Calgary is tremendously grateful to him.”

Dr. Ed McCauley, PhD, president and vice-chancellor, University of Calgary

The bequest will be used to recruit and train emerging neuroscience research leaders and help power entrepreneurship and innovation at the HBI.

“One of the things Boone wanted to accomplish with his giving to health and medical programs was to advance health care for generations. And that's what the gift to the Hotchkiss Brain Institute will do.”

Jay Rosser, officer with the T. Boone Pickens Foundation and Pickens’ long-time employee and friend

The largest portion of Pickens’ legacy gift, US$9.25 million, wil launch a new endowed fund to support recruitment and education of trainees and early career investigators to drive neuroscience research in new and expanded areas.

“This program will bring together a diverse group of experts and trainees in pursuit of a common goal: the discovery and development of new, improved ways to prevent, detect and treat neurological and mental health conditions. It will support fellowships and scholarships for promising trainees including international trainees, attracting brilliant young minds to HBI to become tomorrow’s neuroscience research leaders.”

Dr. David Park, PhD, director of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute

Pickens passed away in 2019, with his gift to HBI being realized earlier this year. The T. Boone Pickens Foundation worked with HBI and UCalgary to determine the best way to allocate the estate gift, ensuring that money would benefit the greatest needs.

“If he were with us today, I know what Boone would say. He would say ‘Job well done, but the job is not done’,” Rosser says. “He would hope this gift is the seed that got planted and that others will step forward and give to take it all to new levels.”

The university is recognizing the legacy gift and the friendship between Pickens and Hotchkiss with signage at the Cumming School of Medicine.

Brain and Mental Health Strategy (BMH)
Led by the Hotchkiss Brain Institute at the University of Calgary, the BMH Strategy explores an improved understanding of the brain and nervous system and new treatments for neurological and mental health disorders, aimed at improving quality of life and patient care. Learn more about the HBI. 

Media inquiries

Kelly Johnston
Senior Communications Specialist
Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary
kelly.johnston2@ucalgary.ca
403.220.5012

About the University of Calgary
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About the Cumming School of Medicine
The University of Calgary’s Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) is driven to create the future of health. We are a proud leader with seven world-class research institutes and 2,900 students, as well as faculty and staff, working to advance education and research in precision medicine and precision public health, improving lives in our community and around the world. Visit cumming.ucalgary.ca and follow us @UCalgaryMed.