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.

In her husband’s memory, Helen established the Honourable George Vari Endowment at Ontario Tech in 2016, providing annual bursaries to undergraduate Engineering students. The George and Helen Vari Foundation also provides additional awards to undergraduate and graduate Engineering students. To date, 23 Ontario Tech students have received financial support. A subsequent gift in 2022 increased the value of the endowment and made it possible to support five additional students every year.

In 2022, the George and Helen Vari Foundation also provided capital support for Shawenjigewining Hall. A plaque honouring the Foundation’s name has been installed at the entrance to the building’s Collaboration Centre.

Even before this connection was established, Ontario Tech recognized George and Helen Vari’s commitment to post-secondary education and awarded an honorary doctor of laws degree to Helen in 2015. In her address, she accepted the honour in memory of her husband, saying, “George’s belief was that education is essential to address our societal challenges and create a better world.”

In recognition of her many contributions to postsecondary education, Helen received honorary degrees from six Canadian universities. She was named a member of the Order of Canada in 2016, following in the footsteps of her husband, who was inducted in 1989. In its citation, the Governor General’s office said Helen received the honour “for her philanthropic and volunteer contributions, and for her extensive service to educational, cultural and social initiatives … Her generous contributions to several universities in Ontario have advanced the pedagogy of students and helped to change the face of buildings in which students learn.”

“George and Helen believed in students and their importance to our future,” says Agnes Hilkene, Executive Director of the George and Helen Vari Foundation. “Ontario Tech University was a special place for Helen and she knew that the Foundation’s support for the students was meaningful. She truly enjoyed her visit in the Fall of 2022 where she was able to connect with many Vari scholars while in the university’s newest building, Shawenjigewining Hall.”

“On behalf of Ontario Tech, I express our deepest condolences to Helen’s family and her many friends,” said Ontario Tech’s President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Steven Murphy in a statement on Helen’s passing. “She, and her husband, changed lives, and their compassion and generosity will forever live on in the students they support.”