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.

Mitch Frazer was appointed Ontario Tech University’s fourth Chancellor on May 1, 2020. A strong supporter of students, Mitch created the Chancellor’s Fund to address the university’s most urgent priorities, including student financial awards, and set a fundraising goal of $1 million.

In 2021, Mitch inaugurated the Chancellor’s Challenge as an annual fundraising event to help meet this goal. Mitch pledged to run 7.2 kilometres—the distance between Ontario Tech’s north and downtown locations—daily for four weeks, weather conditions notwithstanding. He invited family and friends to contribute to the campaign as he covered 380 kilometres in support of Ontario Tech.

The 2022 Chancellor’s Challenge reshaped itself into a community event, the on-campus five-kilometre run/ walk. More than 150 faculty, staff, students, alumni, friends and family accepted the Challenge.

Mitch himself led the pack as participants, cheered on by university mascot Hunter the Ridgeback, set out on a scenic route that looped around the university’s north Oshawa campus location. After crossing the finish line, participants enjoyed a variety of games, interactive activities and refreshments.

The event raised almost $80,000 for student scholarships and bursaries, which was doubled to nearly $160,000 through the Board of Governors’ Matching Fund.

“I just want to thank the entire Ontario Tech community for participating, for donating and for generally supporting this amazing event,” says Mitch. “We’ve done remarkable work, fundraising to support amazing student initiatives.”

“The students at Ontario Tech are the best in the world.”