Paying tribute to a life-changing experience
The Gift: $5-million
The Cause: Crescent School, Toronto
The Reason: To help build a new academic wing.
When Ming Wai Lau was nearing the end of his high school education in Hong Kong he asked his parents if he could finish his studies abroad. He knew exactly where he wanted to go - Toronto.
Mr. Lau knew the city well, having visited relatives in Toronto several times. His parents agreed to the move and enrolled him at Crescent School, a private boys' school. Mr. Lau, now 29, spent only one year at Crescent, 1996-97, but the experience left a deep impression.
"I feel that the school and everything about it changed my life forever," he said in a recent interview from Hong Kong.
The teachers and students "motivated me to go from a B- student to an A+ student. Crescent was the springboard to everything I've done so far."
After graduating from Crescent, he went to university in Britain, where he eventually earned a doctorate. He worked in London's financial district for a while, including a stint at Goldman Sachs, but eventually returned to Hong Kong and joined his family's real estate company, Chinese Estates Holdings Ltd.
Although long removed from Crescent, Mr. Lau didn't hesitate when the school asked for his support for a $25-million program that includes a new academic wing, several novel educational programs and renovations to the library.
Mr. Lau and his family donated $5-million, the largest individual gift in the school's history.
The donation will go mainly toward construction of the Centennial Academic Wing, a $10.6-million building that will house several classrooms and seminar rooms.
Last month, Mr. Lau visited the school for the official launch of the campaign.
In a speech to students he talked about his experiences and offered this advice: "Don't be afraid to take big leaps."
