When Arts & Science alum Glenn H. Carter founded the first of many endowed scholarships more than 25 years ago, he was focused on the big picture.
“Every student I support is an investment in a brighter future for Canadians and for the world,” says Carter, who graduated from U of T in 1965.
Following a career which included two decades in the Ontario Public Service, Carter set his mind to philanthropy and bolstering student success at the University of Toronto. Since 2000, he has established endowed scholarships and fellowships across nine divisions, amounting to more than $3 million.
A recent event at the Faculty Club honoured Carter’s many years of generosity. Students thanked him for life-changing opportunities and his unwavering advocacy for research that aims to solve the world’s most pressing problems.
“More than 165 students have directly benefited from your scholarships and bursaries, and we can’t thank you enough,” said Assistant Vice-President Divisional Relations, University Advancement Steve Hoscheit.
Carter’s impact touches many disciplines across U of T, including support for engineering, music, architecture, public health and medieval studies. His scholarship choices are informed by his own adventures in business, farming, and a deep respect for nurses and other frontline workers.
The awards recognize academic excellence and reduce financial strain so students can better focus on their studies. Carter’s support also creates time to build professional and social networks — vital pillars of the U of T experience.
“This award alleviated the tuition burden and gave me time to make meaningful connections at university,” says second-year Rotman Commerce student Kieran Moyle, a member of New College and recipient of the Glenn H. Carter Canadian Leaders Scholarship.
“His belief in students like me helps us push boundaries, ask better questions and ultimately find better answers,” adds Clara Rivaya Salvadores, recipient of the Glenn H. Carter Fellowship in Exercise Intervention and Disease Prevention and a second-year master’s student in kinesiology. The award advances her research on exercise that improves women’s health during menopause.
And in a poetic tribute, Hannah Flores, a New College alum, geography graduate student and recipient of the Glenn H. Carter Environmental Science Award, wrote: “Thank you for believing young scientists could turn rubble into resilience, disaster into discovery.”
Carter’s philanthropic endeavours are far from finished. Building on his renewed connections with New College, Carter most recently endowed the Glenn H. Carter First in Family Award.
“New College has always been a comfortable, welcoming community,” says Carter. “No pretense, just good people. That's why it felt like the right home for this award.”
Founded in memory of his parents Ruth and Harry Carter, the award is for students who are the first members of their family to attend university and is renewable annually for up to four years, with preference given to members of New College.
“As I’ve told my son, a U of T engineering alum: when you graduate from here, you’re part of a club,” says Carter. “You’ll never forget you were a member, and you keep your membership active by helping the students who come along after you, whether that’s through donations or giving your time — it all makes a difference.”