Alumni Come Together to Spearhead Major Fund-raising Campaign

Alumni Come Together to Spearhead Major Fund-raising Campaign

Of the many personal reasons expressed by members of Victoria University’s campaign cabinet as to why they have volunteered to raise funds for Victoria University, the most consistent one is “I want more students to have the same amazing experience that I had at Vic!” For twelve remarkable alumni this wish translates into serving Victoria University as a member of its new Campaign Cabinet. Victoria University’s campaign has a goal to raise $80 million as part of the broader U of T Defy Gravity campaign and the cabinet members will be hard at work with Vic’s advancement team in seeking investment in the University’s strategic initiatives

“When I was deciding where to study, I was drawn to the physical beauty of the campus. My time at Vic was transformative, inspired by the experiences of generations of my family before me,” explains Campaign Co-chair, Judy Goldring Vic 8T7, who is President and Head of Global Distribution, AGF Management Limited. Goldring, who named the Goldring Student Centre at Vic with her brother, Blake Goldring, will lead the cabinet with Campaign Co-chair David Wilson Vic 6T8, a retired financial leader who held executive roles as Vice-Chair of Scotiabank and Chair of the Ontario Securities Commission. “All those on this cabinet benefitted both academically and professionally from our time at Victoria, and we established life-long friendships at the University. We are committed to ensuring that generations of students will continue to have that experience,” says Wilson. “My parents met on the Victoria campus in the beautiful Emmanuel Library and whenever I am on campus, I think of them and everything that Vic has brought to my family.”

For the Campaign’s Honorary Chair Wendy Cecil Vic 7T1, addressing financial barriers for students interested in attending Vic is very important. “I didn’t come from financial means and was only able to attend Vic because the Bursar took an interest and helped me secure a bursary. There are so many talented high school students who come from at-risk backgrounds, and we need to make sure that they have the same opportunities that I was given,” explains Cecil, who is a member of The Order of Canada for her accomplishments as a business leader and her extensive community engagement. She is the former vice-president of business development at Brascan Ltd. (now Brookfield Asset Management).

In addition to financial supports for its students, Defy Gravity: The Campaign for Victoria University will ensure that the university’s iconic buildings and grounds continue to meet the needs of students, faculty and community members and that a continued sense of pride of place is maintained. Many of Vic’s century-old buildings require much-needed upgrades including ensuring accessibility for all. Signature academic programs at Victoria College and Emmanuel College will need additional investment to be enhanced and expanded to reflect our changing world.

“When I think of Victoria University, I think about a warm and lively community. That’s what Vic gave to me and to so many students in their formative years. I know that the funds that we raise will support a special culture where everyone belongs—that every student who brings their own history, culture and experiences to Victoria University feels like they are contributing to the vibrant community in which we live and learn,” says Cecil.

Under the four pillars of our strategic framework—Belong, Explore, Encounter and Transform—we will be seeking an $80,000,000 investment in the following exciting priorities:

BELONG $20M: Student Support

Our campaign will enhance our awards portfolio by increasing bursaries and scholarships which enable more students from diverse backgrounds and experiences to study at both Victoria and Emmanuel Colleges. Strong academic guidance, personal coaching, and mental-health and wellness resources will create a supportive atmosphere for all Victoria University students.

EXPLORE $15M: Outstanding Academic Offerings

We will be seeking support for teaching excellence professorships at Victoria College, in order to sustain and enhance our leading academic programs. In particular a new major program in Creativity and Society will build on the success of Vic’s minor program in creative expression and engage community partners including schools, museums, and creative and cultural institutions. Support from the campaign will help grow this important new program for Victoria College. Emmanuel College is on the leading edge of multireligious theological education and, through campaign investment, will build on its popular Master of Pastoral Studies program, and will seek to endow two new professorships for the College.

ENCOUNTER $35M: Capital/Infrastructure

Our historic and modern buildings, open spaces, and sense of place promote the rhythms of a vibrant campus life and sustain a learning environment where countless opportunities for enriching and open dialogue transpire. With investment from the campaign, we will be creating learning spaces which address emerging pedagogical needs, improve venues for academic, cultural and community events, and adopt new technologies for connecting. As we maintain the special beauty of our campus, we will also address issues of accessibility to our physical spaces. Addressing the urgent global issue of climate change and sustainability is also a key priority with respect to all current and future buildings on the Victoria University campus.

TRANSFORM $10M: Signature Learning Experiences

With campaign investment, Victoria College’s signature Scholars-in-Residence program will be scaled-up, leading to enhanced research opportunities for undergraduates of the humanities and social sciences. Campaign gifts will also support the expansion of Vic Ready as a leading co-curricular readiness program for Victoria College students. A Fund for Transformative Experiences will support innovative ideas and processes developed by University staff and designed to have a transformative effect on how the business of the university is conducted.

Alumni Affairs & Advancement Campaign Staff

Louise Yearwood, Executive Director, louise.yearwood@utoronto.ca Mary Heinmaa, Director of Philanthropy, mary.heinmaa@utoronto.ca Sharon Gregory, Associate Director, Gift Planning, sharon.gregory@utoronto.ca Ruth-Ann MacIntyre, Senior Development Officer, r.macintyre@utoronto.ca