SASKATOON — You could say a little “love” is being shown to the tennis courts sitting behind the Education building on the University of Saskatchewan campus.
Dr. Karim (Kay) Nasser (PhD’65, DSc’16), a lifelong fan of tennis, thinks refurbishing and enhancing the existing area is important to the well-being of USask students, staff, faculty and the Saskatoon community.
Dr. Nasser has given a generous gift of $500,000 to repair and sustain those courts for many more years.
“This is something near and dear to my heart,” said the 96-year-old Nasser. “Growing up in Lebanon, I learned to love the game of tennis, but never had very good courts to play on.
“I hope this is something that many people will embrace and use. Maybe they will learn to love tennis like I did.”
In recognition of Dr. Nasser’s generous support, the upgraded courts have been named the ‘K.W. Nasser Courts’ in his honour.
USask President Peter Stoicheff says Nasser’s many years of support to students at USask has had a lasting impact.
“What Dr. Nasser and his family have contributed to our campus over the years is remarkable and we are grateful for their generosity,” said Stoicheff. “Through their commitment to creating opportunities for our students to thrive, Kay, his wife Dora and their family are outstanding role models and champions for USask.”
There were six full-size tennis courts at the Education building that were built years ago. They have now been levelled and resurfaced to provide a positive playing experience for campus tennis enthusiasts and other community members wanting to use the upgraded facilities. Further enhancements to the facility include removable tennis court posts, along with futsal and basketball nets. Also, lining for pickleball courts was established to support one of Canada’s fastest growing sports.
“It is our hope that this updated and expanded facility will provide versatile recreational opportunities and further enhance the student experience at USask,” said Dr. Joel Lanovaz, interim dean of the College of Kinesiology. “We are deeply grateful to Dr. Nasser for his generosity.”
Nasser, who received an honorary doctorate in 2016, is known as the inventor of the K-Slump Tester which tests concrete and was used in building of the CN Tower in Toronto and continues to be used today in construction projects around the world.
Dr. Nasser arrived in Saskatoon to teach at the College of Engineering after leaving Beirut for New Jersey and Kansas where he went to pursue his education. He then came to Canada, spent time in Montreal and North Bay, before heading west. Nasser obtained his PhD at USask in 1965 and taught civil engineering for 33 years.
The Nasser family have been major supporters of USask for years in many projects across campus, including long-standing support to students experiencing crisis through the Nasser Family Emergency Student Trust among others.
This gift is part of the University of Saskatchewan’s Be What the World Needs Campaign.
— Submitted by USask Media Relations
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