Giving Day 2025: USask donors Jonathan and Chennene Wright choose to inspire with gift on Giving Day

Jonathan Wright (BE’86, MSc’89) isn’t into pressure tactics, but he is a big believer in doing what he can to inspire others to give back. On the morning of Giving Day in September 2024, word spread quickly that the USask College of Engineering alum and his wife, Chennene (BA’86, ARTS’88) had donated $100,000 to the future Engineering Design Hub.

Familiar with the power of Giving Days, the Wrights intentionally chose to make their gift that day. 

“When we heard that USask Giving Day was approaching, we chose that date to try not only to do what we were going to do anyway, but also to do it in a way that might inspire others to contribute as well—which, of course, multiplies the impact,” said Jonathan.

After earning both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in mechanical engineering, Jonathan built a successful career in the oil and gas industry, holding various roles with Shell Canada Ltd. before joining Talisman Energy as a senior vice-president, and then being appointed president and CEO of NuVista Energy Ltd in 2011. He retired in late 2024.

Meanwhile, Chennene built a 35-year career as a dedicated social worker and mental health therapist, holding roles in corrections, child protection, and family and adolescent counselling across Canada and internationally. She earned her Master of Social Work and worked with Alberta Health Services before retiring in 2023.

Their generous gift not only inspired alumni, faculty and staff to make donations— big or small—to an area close to their heart, but it also led to a USask Giving Day record with $316,446 raised in just 24 hours.

“We were asked if our gift could be made public, and we allowed it—not because we want any recognition, but because we know for a fact that if people see someone they know or respect making a donation, it can inspire them to do the same thing,” said Jonathan, adding that fellow alum and friends Myron (BE’85) and Jennifer Stadnyk (BEd’86) caught his attention when they made a large gift to the College of Engineering, which in turn inspired Jonathan and Chennene to give back in the same way.

The Wrights’ gift was counted as part of the successful Be What the World Needs campaign and will go toward renovating the Hardy Lab at the College of Engineering to transform the space into the Engineering Design Hub. Once complete, the Design Hub will be a dynamic, collaborative space that empowers student innovation and hands-on learning. 

“It feels really, really good to be able to help other people move forward in their lives, just like I received help getting forward in my life when I went to the university,” said Jonathan. “I highly encourage USask alumni and friends to donate this Giving Day. You will never regret that warm feeling in your stomach after you do.”