Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life announce $150,000 donation to UOIT

Gift will establish endowment to support students in need; sculpture will represent gate to the future

OSHAWA, Ont. - Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life officials joined students, faculty and administration from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) in Oshawa to officially announce a $150,000 donation to UOIT that will provide financial aid to students and see a dynamic new sculpture built on campus.

The gift includes $50,000 to establish an endowment to support UOIT students. The donation qualifies for matching funds through the provincial government's Ontario Trust for Student Support (OTSS), bringing the total endowment to $100,000. In addition, $100,000 will be directed towards the creation and installation of the Gate to the Future sculpture on the university's Oshawa campus. The sculpture is an artistic fixture that will be a visual reference and focal point on campus. Designed by Canadian sculptor André Fournelle, it will embody the harmonious relationship between art, technology, form and function, and symbolize the entrance or gate to the future through transformation, research and knowledge.

"As symbolized in the Gate to the Future sculpture - making positive changes through research and knowledge - our gift will assist the university in moving from the drawing board to reality, and help students move from academia towards promising careers," said Dan Hostick, regional director of The Resource Centre for Great West in Central Ontario.

The Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life Endowment will support students studying in UOIT's Bachelor of Commerce program and in need of financial assistance. It will be awarded annually to a third- or fourth-year student who maintains an average of 75 per cent and exhibits positive contributions to the community and campus life.

"On behalf of current and future Commerce students at UOIT, I would like to thank everyone at Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life for this generous gift," said Dr. Ronald Bordessa, president of UOIT. "With the establishment of this endowment, they have confirmed their recognition of UOIT as a first-rate educational institution. This gift will not only alleviate the financial barriers often encountered by students, but will also provide additional opportunities for students to take advantage of UOIT's leading-edge learning environment and pursue an exceptional education that will position them as next-generation business leaders."

Strong partnerships with respected employers such as Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life provide students with greater access to UOIT's innovative programming, hands-on research opportunities, state-of-the-art facilities, globally experienced professors and exceptional student life experience.

Support for the gift is being provided through the Key to Giving™, the national corporate citizenship program of Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life. Through the Key to Giving program, the companies contribute to non-profit, charitable and community organizations across the country to address health and wellness, education, social services, civic and arts and culture initiatives. The program also supports the volunteer involvement of staff and financial security advisors in their efforts to meet the needs of the communities in which they live and work.

About UOIT
As an innovative university, UOIT delivers a leading-edge learning environment that uniquely combines academic knowledge, research opportunities, hands-on skills and a vibrant student life. UOIT's 5,000 students are taught by professors who are experts in their fields from around the world. As Ontario's first laptop-based university, the university offers a diverse array of challenging undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its faculties of Business and Information Technology; Criminology, Justice and Policy Studies; Education; Engineering and Applied Science; Health Sciences; and Science, and its School of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science. UOIT's commitment to research excellence has resulted in millions of dollars in grants and awards, including five Canada Research Chairs. To find out more, visit www.uoit.ca or call 905.721.8668.

About Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life
Together, Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life, serve the financial security needs of more than 12 million people across Canada.

Media contact:

Marlene Klassen, APR
Assistant vice-president, Communication Services
Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life
204.946.7705
marlene.klassen@gwl.ca

About Ontario Tech University
A modern, forwarding-thinking university, Ontario Tech advances the discovery and application of knowledge to accelerate economic growth, regional development and social innovation. We inspire and equip our students and our graduates to make a positive impact in a tech-focused world. For us, it’s not only about developing the next tech breakthrough. Understanding and integrating the social and ethical implications of technology differentiates us as university. Learn more at ontariotechu.ca.

Media contact
Michelle Good
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
905.721.8668 ext. 2197
michelle.good@uoit.ca