Merlis Belsher Gives $5 Million to Name Sask Polytech Business School

Philanthropist and entrepreneur Merlis Belsher has given $5 million to Saskatchewan Polytechnic, and the institution's School of Business and Entrepreneurship will now carry his name. The gift supports the new Joseph A. Remai Saskatoon Campus and, according to Sask Polytech, helps shape the future of business education across the province.

Belsher built his career in precast concrete manufacturing, and he tied the gift directly to that trajectory. "Following completion of my education in Commerce and Law at the University of Saskatchewan, my career was based on manufacturing of precast concrete products supplied throughout Saskatchewan," Belsher said.

"As a lawyer and accountant, I know firsthand how instrumental education has been to my career in the manufacturing industry. Supporting education has long been a focus of our philanthropy. I'm delighted to contribute to Sask Polytech's new campus and to have my name associated with the School of Business and Entrepreneurship," he added.

Dr. Larry Rosia, president and CEO of Sask Polytech, framed the donation as part of a larger legacy. "We are deeply grateful to Merlis for including Sask. Polytech in his remarkable legacy of giving and for championing the development of the new Joseph A. Remai Saskatoon Campus," Rosia said.

Rosia didn't stop at gratitude. "Merlis is a visionary whose leadership and business insight align seamlessly with the ideals of our School of Business and Entrepreneurship. His name will remain a symbol of innovation, leadership and excellence for generations to come," he said.

Who is Merlis Belsher?

Belsher's ties to Sask Polytech run deep. In 2019, the institution awarded him an honorary degree in Applied Studies for his business achievements and community service. His entrepreneurial path began with the acquisition of Weldon's Concrete Products, a Saskatoon manufacturing company. He and his team grew it into one of Western Canada's most diversified precast concrete operations before selling it in 2008.

His recognition list is long. It includes:

• The King Charles III Coronation Medal
• Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and Platinum Jubilee Medal
• Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Saskatchewan
• King's Counsel designation and Senior Life Membership from the Law Society of Saskatchewan
• Fellow designation from the Institute of Chartered Professional Accountants of Saskatchewan
• The SABEX Hall of Fame Award from the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce
• Induction into the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame

What does the gift fund?

The donation backs the Joseph A. Remai Saskatoon Campus, which Sask Polytech describes as a once-in-a-generation project. The campus will consolidate outdated facilities into a modern, technology-rich learning environment. It will also expand program capacity and train students for current and emerging industries.

Students in the newly named Merlis Belsher School of Business and Entrepreneurship will get modern learning spaces, innovation hubs and hands-on experiences, polytech leaders say. The school's programs will run across four campuses: Saskatoon, Regina, Moose Jaw and Prince Albert, extending Belsher's impact province-wide.

The $5 million counts as a cornerstone of Sask Polytech's Time to Rise campaign. With it, the campaign has passed 80 percent of its $100 million goal.

That leaves roughly $20 million still to raise before the campaign closes. Details on the campaign and the new Saskatoon campus are available at timetorise.ca.