Isaac Rotstein was born in 1947 in a DP Camp in Heidelberg, Germany. He immigrated to Canada in 1950, where his family established their home in Calgary. Isaac graduated from the University of Calgary with a Zoology degree and from the University of British Columbia with a degree in Pharmacy. He owned a pharmacy in Mission, Calgary.

Having a love of travel to exotic places, especially those where the plant-picking season was in full bloom, Isaac never missed an opportunity to travel with a suitcase of newspapers to press plants, his hiking boots and a knapsack that was too heavy for most people to lift.

Throughout his life, UCalgary was a touchstone. Over the years, Isaac contributed 4500+ specimens from 27 different countries to the UCalgary Herbarium. Funds raised from this campaign will support the Herbarium’s maintenance, as well as student interactions with its collection, including employment opportunities and cross-faculty engagement. It is our hope that scientists and artists can find joy and learn through the Herbarium’s collection that Isaac helped to build.

Once total contributions reach $100,000 including eligible matching funds, an endowment fund will be created. The University is responsible for the management of the Fund with the intent that enough income is generated to support the program and to maintain the Fund’s real capital value, after inflation, in perpetuity. If the total amount received from all donors does not reach the endowment goal of $100,000 then the funds will be utilized to fund the initiative on an annual basis until the funds are completely depleted.

The University of Calgary respects your privacy. The personal information requested on this form is being collected under the authority of Section 33(c) of the Alberta Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. It will be used for the purpose of administering the University of Calgary’s alumni engagement and development programs that support its charitable and fund-raising activities. If you have any questions about the collection, use or disclosure of your personal information, please contact 403.220.8261 or give@ucalgary.ca.

In 2023-2024, the University of Calgary raised $167 million at a cost of $16.9 million, which translates to $0.10 spent for every dollar raised. We are committed to the highest standards of fiscal responsibility to ensure donor support creates meaningful and lasting impact.

Gifts received to support these areas may be directed to either endowed or non-endowed initiatives depending on the greatest need.