Report on Donor Philanthropy
Chancellor’s Message
Once again, in 2022, the Ontario Tech University community demonstrated its belief in the value of education by supporting the Chancellor’s Challenge, our annual five-kilometre run/walk to raise funds for scholarships and bursaries. We joined forces to raise almost $80,000, which was doubled by the Board of Governors’ Matching Fund for a total of approximately $160,000. We also had fun doing so together on campus, which was a real treat as we transitioned from a previously virtual event. I am immensely proud to be the ‘Students’ Chancellor’, and my running shoes are my witness. Read the full message.
LEGACY
Eppel Gift is Building Innovation and Boosting Communities
It is appropriate that Ontario Tech University named the Eppel Family Technology-EnhancedLearning Studio in Shawenjigewining Hall to recognize Jeno Eppel and his family for their generosity to the university. After all, Jeno is Past President of EHC Global, one of the most trusted and respected brands and innovators in the vertical transportation industry. Read the full story.
OCNI Supports Synergy
Bill Walker, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCNI), is a big believer in working collaboratively wherever possible. Read the full story.
A Helping Hand for Students
Irene Rahme grew up in Oshawa long before plans for Ontario Tech University were on the drawing board, graduating from two schools that have since closed their doors: Ritson RoadPublic School and Oshawa Central CollegiateI Institute. Although Irene dreamed of becoming a teacher, life took her in a different direction. She spent her career at General Motors (GM)where she met her late husband, Gord, also aGM employee. Read the full story.
ALUMNI
Passion for Sustainability Born at Ontario Tech
Anthony Boland (Faculty of Science, class of 2012) entered Ontario Tech University with plans to become a science teacher until he discovered a passion for sustainability. Today, he is Director of Development for Metrolinx, working toward creating transit-oriented communities. Read the full story.
Paying it Forward
Memories of the financial challenges experienced while attending university inspired a group of eight alumni—the Next Generation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Alumni Group—to create an award for current Ontario Tech University students. Read the full story.
Support for Education Dates Back to Company’s Origin
Yvonne Brady, a Senior Consultant with Johnson Insurance who resides in Oshawa, remembers the excitement she felt when Ontario Tech University was being built. Read the full story.
OUTREACH
Actua Crucial to Engineering Outreach
Actua provides training, resources, and support to a national network of university and college members across Canada so we can deliver science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education outreach programming to youth with zero barriers. Each year, Actua’s network members engage over 350,000 youth in 500 communities nationwide. Ontario Tech Engineering Outreach, part of Ontario Tech’s Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, has been a member of the Actua network since 2018. Read the full story.
Hydro One Supports Women in Engineering
Since 2013, Hydro One has worked in partnership with Ontario Tech University, Toronto Metropolitan University, the University of Waterloo and Western University to increase the number of women studying engineering, with a focus on electrical and mechanical engineering programs. Read the full story.
GM Support for STEM Keeps on Truckin’
General Motors (GM) Canada, a longtime donor to Ontario Tech University, is “committed to promoting science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to underrepresented groups across the country,” says Regan Dixon, GM’s Senior Manager, Thermal and Body Software and Diagnostics, who has been directly involved in determining how the company supports that goal. Read the full story.
EQUITY
Women for STEM Summit: A Continued Success
More than 200 attendees convened on the Ontario Tech University campus on October 12, 2022, for the fourth-annual Women for STEM Summit, a day-long event created to address the gender gap in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and to encourage women students, employees and entrepreneurs in STEM-based fields to fulfil their potential. Read the full story.
Women for STEM Fund Marches Toward Goal
Ontario Tech University’s Women for STEM Fund is more than halfway to its fundraising goal of $2 million, providing scholarships and mentorship for women in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields where they are underrepresented. Lisa McBride, Chair of the Women for STEM Council, couldn’t be happier. Read the full story.
CAPITAL
Sorbara Group of Companies Continues Tradition of Giving
The Sorbara Group of Companies has a long tradition of giving in the communities they have helped build. Ontario Tech University has benefited as a result of the Homeward Hills community the Sorbara Group is creating in Oshawa. Read the full story.
Local Couple Invests in Higher Education
Durham Region residents Ed and Sylvia Vanhaverbeke remember the first shovels breaking ground for a new university in Oshawa. Ever since, they have been strong supporters of Ontario Tech University and are members of the
university’s E.P. Taylor Legacy Society. Read the full story.
COMMUNITY
Chancellor’s Challenge: A Resounding On-campus Success
A run is more fun—and a walk, too—when it is done in the company of others. This was the sentiment expressed by many of the participants of the 2022 Chancellor’s Challenge when they had the opportunity to enjoy the event on campus. Read the full story.
Pi Day Infinitely Successful
Pi Day, Ontario Tech University’s annual Day of Giving, boasted great success in 2022, raising more than $156,000 for scholarships, bursaries and athletics. It also supported the Student Relief Fund, which provides assistance to students in
many different ways. Read the full story.
SUPPORT
Retired Educators Support Learning with Bursary
Members of RTOERO District 28 in Durham Region—retired teachers and education workers—believe strongly in the importance of post-secondary education. They have created an Ontario Tech University bursary that allows students in financial need to pursue their academic dreams. Read the full story.
A Classic Way to Honour Regional Chair’s Memory
Roger Anderson, the late Durham Regional Chair, was known as a decisive leader who always put the needs of residents and community members first. His priorities are reflected in the Regional Chair’s Classic, an annual golf tournament now held in his memory. The 24th edition of the tournament in 2022 raised $290,000 for students in financial need at Ontario Tech University and Durham College, as well as for youth programs at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health
Sciences. Read the full story.
A Memorable Graduation Gift
When Cienna Ardellini graduated from Ontario Tech University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours), her parents, Danny and Charlatta Ardellini, decided to give her a most unusual gift: an endowment that will provide student awards in Cienna’s name. Read the full story.
Donors Celebrate Strong Ties to Education in Durham Region
Although Gary Edgar admits he preferred sports to the classroom during his high school years, he became serious about his studies during university. Gary went on to teachers’ college and enjoyed a 30-year career as a physical education teacher with the Durham District School Board. Read the full story.
Aviva Canada Supports Innovation and Experiential Education
Supporting the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association’s (APMA) Project Arrow, Canada’s first zero-emissions concept vehicle, seems natural for insurance company Aviva Canada, because sustainability is a strategic pillar of its business. Read the full story.
George and Helen Vari Foundation’s Legacy Continues
Although Helen Vari sadly passed away in 2023, the legacy that she and her late husband George created lives on. The couple, both born in Hungary, made Canada their home and chose education as the main philanthropic cause to benefit from their successful international real-estate development and construction business. They established the George and Helen Vari Foundation in 1984 to promote education and educational exchange. Their remarkable generosity has supported Ontario Tech University and its students. Read the full story.
President’s Message
Ontario Tech University’s commitment to tech with a conscience and its experiential learning programs are gaining recognition; over the past three years, we have seen an increase in applications of 33.2 per cent, 19.4 per cent, and 11.7 per cent, respectively—and these increases are calculated each year using the new, higher baseline. In fact, the respected Times Higher Education rankings listed Ontario Tech among the Top 200 youngest universities worldwide. Clearly, our brand, programs and approach to education are resonating with today’s students. Read the full message.
