ICS Receives $4.2 Million Gift

The Institute for Christian Studies (ICS) in Toronto, Ontario, has received a gift of $4.2 million from the estate of the late Lowell Andreas, the largest gift ever received by the institute.

"Mr. Andreas' gift will enhance priorities fundamental to the mission of ICS, including faculty and student support, information and research resources. Mr. Andreas' gift comes at a significant time for ICS — a time of renewal and rebirth," says John O'Leary, director of development at ICS.

Andreas, a long-time supporter of ICS, was the CEO of Archer-Daniels-Midland, commonly known as ADM, a U.S. company that is in the agricultural products and farming business.

The Institute for Christian Studies is a graduate school in the Reformed tradition, founded with support of the Christian Reformed Church in North America and other organizations. ICS opened its doors in 1967 in a two-story house in Toronto with one professor and no degree programs, but with the conviction that a Christian graduate school is vital to generating ideas and developing leaders, and could enhance the cultural discernment of faithful believers, says the ICS website.

ICS is a non-denominational organization recommended for support by the Christian Reformed Church. A number of CRC pastors, teachers and leaders have attended or taught at the school.

Today, ICS offers Masters and PhD programs in several areas. It also offers learn-at-home courses for Christian teachers interested in broadening their knowledge and vision. In addition, the institute offers publications by renowned Christian thinkers in a wide spectrum of fields and interests through its bookshop as well as access to research materials through the library’s extensive collection.

"Last year was a difficult year for ICS due to the recession, which affected all universities and colleges, but our donors got us through it. ICS has individual donors throughout Canada and the USA," says O'Leary.

ICS leaders are currently "renewing the original mission of forming Christian scholars to become leaders in churches, universities, schools and community organizations throughout Canada, the United States and around the world," the institute says in a press release.

"ICS is establishing new partnerships with universities in Canada and Europe with a vision for research enterprise, fostering scholarly dialogue between Reformational Christian scholars and other prominent religious scholars," says O'Leary. "These projects will demonstrate, for the academy and for the community, why the creativity and insights of religious scholarship are so essential in dealing with the great issues of our time."

O'Leary says Andreas believed strongly in the impact of ICS. "He was part of a community, which continues to believe in the global significance and impact of culturally engaged Reformational scholarship … We are grateful to Lowell Andreas for his legacy gift and visionary leadership."

For further information, contact John O’Leary at 416-979-2331, ext 222 or by email at [email protected] or visit the ICS website at icscanada.edu.