Through generous gifts and visionary support, Eve and Paul Martin are enriching education and cultural experiences at Royal Roads University for the next generation of students to come. 

Eve Martin’s journey with Royal Roads University began in the inaugural class of the Master of Arts in Leadership program. That experience shaped her belief in the power of education and community—a belief she and her spouse Paul have turned into their legacy.

Through their generosity, the Martins have created opportunities for students and educators to thrive. Eve’s Global Leadership Awards celebrate excellence in learning and teaching, recognizing those who foster collaboration and inspire others. For Eve, these awards reflect a simple but profound motto: learn, lead and leave a legacy.

With a transformative gift of $250,000, Eve and Paul helped bring to life a traditional Japanese teahouse in Royal Roads’ century-old gardens. This serene space, now open to visitors, offers a venue for tea ceremonies and cultural gatherings, blending sustainability with timeless design. Nestled among rolling lawns and tranquil ponds, the teahouse invites reflection and connection—values the Martins hold dear.

For Eve, the gardens were a sanctuary during her studies, a place to pause amid the whirlwind of assignments and exams. Their gift ensures future students will find that same peace, while deepening the university’s commitment to cultural appreciation and experiential learning.
 

Now, with an additional gift of $50,000, Eve and Paul are supporting innovative place-based programming in the Japanese Garden. In collaboration with RRU faculty, students, and community partners, the gardens will serve as a living lab for immersive, interdisciplinary learning.  

Students in programs such as the Master of Arts in Tourism Management and the Master of Arts in Intercultural and International Communication will contribute to projects that strengthen connections between tourism, heritage, and sustainability, while exploring themes of cultural understanding and representation. These efforts will enhance the Gardens’ profile as a global destination and a site of scholarly engagement. 

Public programming—such as forest bathing, tea ceremony workshops, ikebana (Japanese flower arranging), calligraphy, and storytelling—will complement these applied learning opportunities, creating a dynamic space for academic and cultural exchange. 

The Martins’ gift is among the early announced gifts in Royal Roads’ Leading with Courage campaign, an ambitious effort to harness community power to transform lives and the world. Their generosity reminds us that giving is more than financial support—it’s about creating spaces, opportunities, and experiences that endure.

This Giving Day, Nov. 26–27, join us for 36 hours of giving to support Royal Roads students where they need it most. Whether you choose the Japanese Gardens Fund or another fund close to your heart, your gift—of any amount—helps create brighter opportunities for the next generation of leaders, innovators, and changemakers. Visit RRUgivingday.ca today to make your donation.