Goldcorp Inc., one of the world’s largest mining companies, has partnered with the Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering to establish the Goldcorp Endowed Chair in Minerals Engineering, Mackay School director James Taranik announced on Thursday. The news comes on the heels of the Mackay School’s 100th anniversary celebration this week.

Combined with a prior commitment, Goldcorp’s pledge amounts to $1.25 million. Taranik said that the endowed chair comes at an important point in Mackay’s history, symbolizing the school’s rich history and its bright future.

This week the Mackay School celebrated its 100-year history with a series of events on the University campus. The endowed chair is also recognition that the Mackay School continues to meet a critical industry need for minerals engineers and earth scientists.

“We felt a responsibility to support the development and retention of highly qualified minerals educators at the Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering,” said Kevin McArthur, president and CEO of Goldcorp, Inc. McArthur is also a Mackay School graduate. “We are confident the Goldcorp Chair is a good start and that further corporate giving will continue to support the teaching and research programs that will attract more top engineering students to the mining field.”

Taranik agreed: “This generous gift will help our school attract the best faculty, in order to produce the best graduates, for the very important field of minerals engineering. We are very thankful that an industry leader such as Goldcorp continues to be so supportive of our school. It’s been quite a week for us with our centennial celebration … and what a great way to cap it, with this important investment in our future.”

Goldcorp is the world’s lowest cost and fastest growing senior gold producer with mines and development projects in Canada, the United States, Mexico and South America. Its Marigold Mine in Humboldt County has enjoyed continuous operations for nearly 25 years. The Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering was founded as the Mackay School of Mines in 1908. The Mackay School, which is part of the University’s College of Science, is considered one of the world’s top academic and research leaders in earth sciences and engineering.