$10 million new gift to university from Stu and Kim Lang for construction of animal medicine facility
In a transformative investment into the future of veterinary science and northern animal health, Stu Lang and The Angel Gabriel Foundation have announced a $10 million gift to Lakehead University for the construction of a state-of-the-art animal medicine facility.
The donation is among the largest in the university’s history and marks a significant milestone in its expansion of healthcare programs tailored to the unique needs of Northern Ontario.
The planned facility, tentatively named the Lang Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Centre, will serve as a regional hub for animal care, research, and training.
Set to open by 2028, it will address the growing demand for veterinary services across Northern Ontario’s rural and Indigenous communities, where access to animal medicine has long been underserved.
“This gift is about more than bricks and mortar,” said Lakehead President Dr. Gillian Siddall. “It’s about building sustainable, community-focused animal health infrastructure for the North—and Stu Lang and The Angel Gabriel Foundation are helping us bring that vision to life.”
For Stu Lang—a former CFL player turned philanthropist—and his wife Kim Lang, the Lakehead gift is only the latest in a long series of purpose-driven investments in education, healthcare, and animal welfare.
In 2012, the Langs made headlines with a $10 million donation to the University of Guelph, establishing the Angel Gabriel Foundation Scholarships and subsequently funding the Lang School of Business and Economics, which was named in their honor.
The foundation has also supported the University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College, one of Canada’s premier institutions for veterinary education, reflecting Lang’s deep personal interest in animal care and ethics.
More recently, the Angel Gabriel Foundation donated $3.5 million to construct the Lang Pavilion at the University of Guelph’s Gryphon Field House and an additional $2 million to fund a mobile veterinary outreach unit serving remote Indigenous communities in Northern Ontario.
The name Angel Gabriel Foundation itself is a tribute to a beloved golden retriever, Gabriel, whose memory animates much of the Langs’ animal welfare work.
“We’ve always believed that how we treat animals reflects who we are as a society,” Stu Lang said in a statement.
“Lakehead University has the potential to become a beacon of care, compassion, and veterinary excellence for the North, and we’re proud to help them get there.”
The new facility at Lakehead will feature clinical labs, surgical suites, community outreach spaces, and an Indigenous-led program stream that integrates traditional knowledge with Western veterinary science.
This aligns with broader Truth and Reconciliation goals around health equity and culturally sensitive care.
Dr. Rachel O’Connor, Lakehead’s Dean of Veterinary and Allied Health, emphasized the facility’s regional importance: “We’re not just training vets. We’re training advocates who understand the unique needs of northern ecosystems, farm communities, and Indigenous animal stewardship.”
The initiative also includes funding for student scholarships, rural practicum placements, and community-based research in wildlife disease management and zoonotic health threats.
Despite his increasing philanthropic footprint, Stu Lang maintains a low public profile.
After retiring from the CFL in the 1980s, Lang became a successful businessman and later served as head coach of the University of Guelph football team, where he championed leadership, discipline, and giving back.
Friends describe Lang as a “gentle visionary,” whose gifts often come without fanfare but with strategic intent.
The Angel Gabriel Foundation operates with a strong, hands-on ethos, often staying engaged well after the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
With this new gift to Lakehead, Lang adds another chapter to a quietly powerful philanthropic story—one rooted in faith, education, and deep respect for both human and animal life.
As Northern Ontario faces rising challenges in veterinary care, the Langs’ generosity is helping ensure that access to animal medicine—and the values it represents—won’t be left behind.