On Thursday, Nov. 28, York University announced a $1.25-million gift from BMO Financial Group to the Glendon School of Public and International Affairs. The program will receive $750,000 of this donation, which will go towards the development of public affairs programming, while the remaining $500,000 will fund visiting professorships.
“We are very grateful to BMO Financial Group for this visionary gift, which will have an incredibly positive impact on Glendon and York University by helping us to advance research and teaching on public and international affairs and to provide the highest quality of innovative bilingual and professional development programming to our students,” said York President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri.
From left, Glendon Principal Kenneth McRoberts, L. Jacques Ménard, chairman of BMO Nesbitt Burns and president of BMO Financial Group, Quebec, and Jeff O'Hagan, vice-president advancement, York University
The announcement of the gift coincided with the inauguration of the new BMO Financial Group Skyroom, BMO Financial Group Lecture Hall and the L. Jacques Ménard – BMO Financial Group classroom at a reception in the Centre of Excellence at York’s Glendon Campus.
More than 50 people attended the inauguration, including Kenneth McRoberts, principal of Glendon College, L. Jacques Ménard, chairman of BMO Nesbitt Burns and president of BMO Financial Group, Quebec, and Jeff O’Hagan, vice-president advancement, York University.
“BMO Financial Group’s ongoing support has played a critical role in enabling the Glendon School of Public and International Affairs to pursue its unique mandate of preparing a new generation of fully bilingual leaders for Canada's public life,” said McRoberts. “With a growing community of 2,800 students and more than 10,000 alumni, this level of support is essential to Glendon’s ongoing expansion and enhancement.”
Graduate student Cecilia Omole also spoke at the event and shared how the support of the BMO Financial Group is making a tangible impact on the education and experience of York students at Glendon.
L. Jacques Ménard with Graduate student Cecilia Omole
“The Glendon School of Public and International Affairs set the stage for me to pursue the international education I was looking for while also maintaining my French proficiency,” said Omole. “With BMO’s support, the program can continue to offer a comprehensive and industry-leading curriculum, outstanding professors and visiting lecturers and even unique internship and exchange opportunities. These elements build the foundation of my success and allow me to pursue and realize my future vision.”
The inauguration recognized the continuing and long-lasting support that BMO Financial Group provides to Glendon, and particularly to the Glendon School of Public and International Affairs, the first bilingual graduate school in Canada. “Supporting education in Canada is one of BMO’s key beliefs and Glendon presents a unique opportunity to provide students with a uniquely global education in a changing global world,” said Ménard. “Learning makes our lives richer and futures brighter and, by partnering with York and with Glendon, BMO can help to improve the students’ ability to innovate and succeed.”
To learn more, visit the Glendon campus website.