When students walk through the doors of UBC Okanagan’s Commons, they enter more than just a building. They enter a space shaped by vision, generosity and two decades of campus growth.

At the heart of the Centre is the D. Ross Fitzpatrick Great Hall, named in recognition of a $1.25-million gift from UBC alumnus Ross Fitzpatrick and his wife Linda. The two-story hub, affectionately known as Fitz Hall, has become one of the most dynamic and welcoming spaces on campus. It’s a place where students come together to study, collaborate and connect. For the Fitzpatricks, it stands as a reflection of their belief in education and their commitment to helping students in the Okanagan.

Included in the Fitzpatricks’ donation was $250,000 to create the Ross and Linda Fitzpatrick Centennial Scholars Endowment Fund. The award supports incoming students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership and financial need. Recently, the Fitzpatricks have earmarked the endowment exclusively for students in the new Bachelor of Commerce program, which launches in September 2026 in the Faculty of Management.

Ross Fitzpatrick’s connection to UBC spans generations. Born into an agricultural family in Kelowna and raised in Oliver, BC, he is the second of four generations in his family to attend the university—following in the footsteps of his mother and paving the way for his children and grandchildren. He earned his Commerce degree from UBC in 1958 and completed his postgraduate studies at the University of Maryland and Columbia University. He went on to become a successful entrepreneur, launching businesses in aerospace, oil and gas, and mining across North America.

In the 1980s, Fitzpatrick returned to the Okanagan to pursue his dream of owning an orchard and vineyard. He founded CedarCreek Estate Winery and initiated the planting of vinifera grapes in the region, helping to raise the bar for high-quality wine production in the Okanagan. Today, he continues his leadership in the industry as proprietor and chair of Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards at Greata Ranch.

Over the course of his career, Fitzpatrick also served in public life. In 1998, he was appointed to the Senate of Canada, representing Okanagan-Similkameen until 2008. He is a recipient of the Order of Canada, Order of BC and was awarded a UBC honorary doctorate in 2012 for his contributions to BC, Canada and the university.

Ross and Linda Fitzpatrick have a long history of supporting UBC, giving generously to student awards, diverse arts and research initiatives, and the UBC Library. When UBC Okanagan opened 20 years ago, it created an opportunity for the couple to continue their philanthropy to the university while investing in students close to home.

“I was fortunate to be able to go to university. I want to make sure students have that same opportunity now. I think it’s essential we have a first-class institution for them to be able to attend without having to travel to the coast.”

Fitzpatrick credits a 2014 student-led referendum—in which students voted to fund an expansion of the campus library through their own fees—as the inspiration for his donation to the Commons.

“That UBC Okanagan students banded together to help pay for a better study and work space that wouldn’t be built until after most of them graduated is an incredible testament to the entrepreneurial spirit and generosity of this campus and this region,” he said. “I felt it only right to reflect the same in my own contribution to the project.”

Through their vision and generosity, the Fitzpatricks have not only helped shape the campus in their hometown region but have also created a lasting legacy of opportunity for generations of UBC students.