U of T's Faculty of Arts and Science is the place where today's leaders help prepare students to become tomorrow's leaders. A donation to provide scholarships opens up exciting learning opportunities for students in every field of the humanities, sciences and social sciences. Every gift comes with a story. We’ve collected a few here.

Alumni and Friends

Ena Cord (with Catherine Abreu, award recipient, right)
Donor to Environmental Studies

"Stan was an environmentalist before it was politically correct," muses Ena Cord when asked why she created the Dr. Stanley Allan Cord Award in Environmental Studies in memory of her late husband, who died of cancer in 2002. "Creating an endowment to acknowledge and support students who are committed to the cause of environmental health and sustainability seemed to me the best way to honour his life."

Laurence Curtis
Alumnus & Donor to Geology

Laurie Curtis (PhD 1975) is building a bridge. Or at least, that's what he'll say if you ask him why he decided to be the founding donor of the Explorers Fund in the Department of Geology. Laurie set up the Jeff Fawcett & John Gittins Graduate Explorers Fund together with Cameron Allen (MSc 1972) and Teck Cominco Ltd., and gave a lead gift to launch the first of what is anticipated to be many scholarships matched under the Graduate Student Endowment Fund, established at U of T in partnership with the Province of Ontario.

"The exploration mining industry is experiencing what I call the 'perfect storm — an unprecedented growth not before seen in our lifetime," explains Laurie, who also serves as volunteer chair of the department's Industry Steering Committee. However, this growth coincides with a shortfall in the number of university graduates of the earth sciences who would form the new generation of qualified professionals. This is the objective of the Explorers Fund: to encourage undergraduate and graduate students to enter the geosciences by providing scholarships to support field education and research.

The founding President and CEO of Intrepid Mines, an international gold and silver production and exploration company, Laurie asserts that if it weren't for the scholarships he received as a student, he wouldn't be where he is today. He believes a number of his colleagues in the industry think the same way and are looking for opportunities to contribute. "Many people have benefited from the exploration industry's successes. Now it is time to give back and support the future geosciences experts for the continued prosperity of our community."

Story by Laura Gass
Photo: Donna Santos

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Naïm Mahlab
Alumnus & Donor to Jewish Studies

"I should have been a historian. It's my passion," says Naïm Mahlab, who received his Master of Commerce from U of T in 1950 and decided a few years ago to contribute to scholarships in Jewish Studies. "I studied business and that is where I made my career, but more and more I have come to realize the importance of having an appreciation of history."

Taking advantage of provincial government matching incentives, he established the Naïm S. Mahlab/Ontario Graduate Scholarships in Jewish Studies, Naïm S. Mahlab Graduate Scholarship in Jewish-Canadian History, Naïm S. Mahlab Graduate Scholarships in Jewish-Christian Relations and/or Jewish-Muslim Relations, as well as the Terek Heggy Graduate Scholarship in Jewish-Muslim Studies.

Naïm considers knowledge of the history of religion to be particularly critical. Originally from Iraq, he knows first-hand the tragic consequences of inter-religious misunderstandings. For Naïm, education is key to finding a solution. "Education is a vital pursuit and one of the most fundamental ways to effect a positive change in society."

By creating scholarships that support the study of Jewish-Christian and Jewish-Muslim relations, Naïm hopes to promote a dialogue based on tolerance, understanding and an acceptance of diversity. "There is little I can do about the current situation in my homeland and elsewhere,"  he says. "However, helping young people who are pursuing studies in this area is one way I can make a difference — hopefully for the betterment of humankind."

Story by Laura Gass
Photo: Roch Lecompte

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The Park Family (with Yi Qing Sim, award recipient, left)
Donors to Slavic Languages and Literatures

Every year, thousands of high school students struggle to choose the right program. Imagine the dilemma of an avid reader of literature who is also interested in law. Should she choose languages and immerse herself in foreign cultures, or plunge wholeheartedly into the study of law? Faced with these options, Nancy Park chose both.

After earning a BA in Russian from U of T in 1994, she went on to a law degree at McGill. Then, serendipitously, while on a trip to Russia, her interests converged. After meeting with some of Russia’s courageous human rights activist, Nance decided to pursue a career that allowed her to use both halves of her education. Fluent in English, French and Russian, with a smattering of her parents’ Korean, Nancy was a natural fit with the growing internationalism of the human rights movement.

After graduation, Nancy was articling at an international law firm in downtown Toronto when tragedy struck. In January 1998, she died suddenly after succumbing to an aggressive form of leukemia. As they tried to come to terms with the loss, Nancy’s family decided to create a scholarship in her memory to support students with similar intentions.

The Nancy Park Travel Scholarship to Russia is open to students of Russian language, literature, history, law, music or women’s studies. To date, it has helped 13 students to intern at a Russian organization working to improve people’s lives or to create a more just society. Past recipients have worked in orphanages with special-needs children, with HIV-AIDs sufferers and with environmental groups.

The fund also started a tradition of awarding the Nancy Park Annual Book Prize to top students of Russian language. Yi Qing Sim (pictured here with the Park family) is the 2009 recipient. Professor Christina Kramer, chair of the Slavic department, relates, “Faculty members and local bookstores have continued this special tradition by generously donating books, even entire collected works of writers like Tolstoy. When students come to select their book or series, I read to them the Lives Lived column and show them articles about Nancy. I want students to know the person behind the award.”

Story by Brendan de Caires
Photo: Derek Shapton

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Peter Walker
Alumnus & Donor to Geography and Planning

Peter Walker is a doer. In his professional life as an urban planner and in his philanthropic works on behalf of his alma mater, he takes a practical approach to improving his environment and community.

"I've given to the University for various reasons, but primarily because I want to support and encourage practically-oriented planning graduates," he says. "After all, planning is not only about policy-making; it's also about implementation."

Peter is President of and a Senior Principal with Walker, Nott, Dragicevic Associates Ltd., an industry leader in land-use planning and urban design. During his impressive career, which has spanned more than 42 years, he has served as an advisor to all levels of government and overseen major development, redevelopment, revitalization and rehabilitation projects for private and public clients.

His result-oriented approach can be traced back to his university days. As an undergraduate student at Victoria College, he studied geography; then, he earned a Master in Planning. "I had an opportunity to write theses on practical topics, such as industrial parks," he says. His research work, he believes, helped him to get a foot in the door at the firm where he went on to become partner

Now, as one of the country's preeminent planners, Peter helps U of T students get ahead by supporting scholarships that reflect his philosophy. In 2008, he established the Peter R. Walker Master of Science in Planning Fellowships to recognize the academic achievements and their contributions to the practice of planning through applied work of planning students.

Story by Olena Wawryshyn
Photo: Roch Lecompte

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Faculty and Staff

Arts and Science is home to many faculty and staff who, above and beyond their commitments as teachers, scholars and administrators, also donate generously to the University.

George Elliott
Professor, Alumnus & Donor to Mathematics

For mathematics professor George Elliott (PhD 1969), supporting education is a matter of social and civic responsibility. "It's like voting. If you are able to, you should," says George, who believes that universities are one of the few institutions left through which Canada can create a common culture. By helping our universities, we are helping ourselves.

George has given generously to the university over the years, including endowing the Margaret Isobel Elliott Graduate Scholarship in the Department of Mathematics, the OGSST–Lloyd George Elliott Graduate Scholarship and the OGSST–Israel Halperin Graduate Scholarship, as well as being the lead donor to the OGSST–Steve Halperin Scholarship. He has leveraged his gifts through matching opportunities made available by the Province of Ontario in partnership with the university.

In addition to being a donor, the Canada Research Chair in Mathematics has earned a reputation as a pioneering mathematician in the field of operator algebras and as a passionate and dedicated educator, known for staying well past the bell to chat with students about their latest theorems. "I value the chance to get to know my students, to discuss what they are working on and to develop ideas which ultimately push forward the frontiers of knowledge. This is, after all, the main goal of higher education."

For George, his philanthropy and service to the university are all part of his commitment to education and not mere altruism. "Education is vital to the advancement of our society and, therefore, all Canadians have a responsibility to promote and champion their universities. All I can hope for is that my support will stimulate others to see how crucial it is to give to their university and the good that can come of it."

Story by Laura Gass
Photo: Henry Feather

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Harold H. Harvey
Professor & Donor to Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

While on secondment to a federal agency back in the 1970s, Professor Harold H. Harvey noted that scientific research budgets were not increasing in line with the growth of universities — simply because the agency responsible had not asked for more money. "I learned a cardinal rule, then," says the ecology and evolutionary biology professor.  "You have to ask."

Whether he is employing the Socratic method of teaching by guided inquiry in his undergraduate class, or approaching alumni, retired faculty and others about contributing to scholarships, Harold is a persistent asker. "I don't mind knocking on doors —particularly the doors of those who've benefited from the University — because I'm not doing it for myself," he explains.

His efforts to rally others and his own personal giving over the years have resulted in several undergraduate and graduate scholarships for ecology and evolutionary biology students. Among the recent awards are the Donald A. Chant Fellowship in Conservation, Ecology and Evolution and the Minns Family Bursary in Ecology and Evolution. To show their appreciation for his tireless fundraising efforts, his colleagues launched a student award in his name, the Harold Harvey Scholarship in Zoology, in 2006.

Harold's generosity has inspired a spirit of philanthropy among his department's graduate students, who hold their own fundraising events, such as their famous Sushi Rolling, in support of a graduate scholarship.

And the inspiration is mutual. Passionate about teaching, Harold says he relishes the challenge of provoking students to think. "That's what keeps me going," he says. "After all, professors have the best job on the planet."

Story by Diana Kuprel
Photo: Roch Lecompte

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Frank Peers (with Rebecca Sanders and Jennifer Catallo, award recipients, back)
Professor Emeritus & Donor to Political Science

Growing up in Alberta during the Depression sensitized Professor Emeritus Frank Peers to the plight of young people wishing to pursue a higher education. He first began contributing to awards at both his alma maters of the University of Toronto and the University of Alberta because he remembers what it was like to be a graduate student, when a lack of funding often meant that students completed degrees in debt. it is only thanks to a small, $500 scholarship that he was able to undertake his MA at the University of Toronto. "Although the situation has changed and the government nowadays recognizes that a highly educated populace is an asset, and has increased funding and established matching programs as a result — I still thought it was time to ante up," he says.

As a lead donor to several awards, Frank personally created eight scholarships that today support up to 12 graduate students annually in political science. In 2009, Frank endowed yet another award, the Tom Easterbrook Graduate Scholarship in Communications and the Mass Media, which is open to students in political science, economics, history and sociology.

"My desire to support students in this field stems from my stint working at U of A's Department of Extension — where I first developed an interest in broadcasting — and from my long career in public affairs at the CBC before I moved into teaching," Frank explains. "Awards can make it easier financially for graduate students to conduct field research and to attend conferences. This activity links students to the real world."

Story by Diana Kuprel
Photo: Derek Shapton

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Corporations and Foundations

Hundreds of companies in North America will match contributions made by their employees, directors and retirees to the University of Toronto. To find out if your company is a matching gift partner, please call 416-978-3810 or check the complete list here.

Ernst & Young
Donor to Commerce

Ernst & Young, one of Canada’s largest professional services firms, focuses many of its corporate responsibility efforts on education. The firm is not only investing financially in education, it is also encouraging its people to give their time to help students — especially those from low-income and under-represented groups — finish high school and achieve a post-secondary education.

“We’re committed to investing in students today to help them create a better future for themselves and their families — a commitment that’s essential to building stronger, healthier communities,” explains Allan Mark, Partner and National Corporate Responsibility Leader at Ernst & Young. “Education, prosperity, workforce readiness and global competitiveness are inextricably linked. Canada’s employers need a talent pool from which to draw in the future. It is our responsibility to help ensure that pool is broad, deep and made up of people who truly reflect the character and makeup of our country.”

As a result, the firm has established the Ernst & Young Scholarships in Commerce, and it has supported over 60 third- and fourth-year students in the Rotman Commerce Specialist program. One of the past recipients, Vitalia Fedossova (pictured here with Allan Mark), is now employed by Ernst & Young as a senior staff accountant. She started out as a summer intern while she was still a student at the University of Toronto.

“Receiving the $5,000 scholarship for two consecutive years was not only a great help financially, but also a great honour,” Vitalia recalls. “Ernst & Young was my first choice for starting my career. The scholarships were an important stepping stone.”

Story by Diana Kuprel
Photo: Derek Shapton