Mitch Frazer: In the running as Canada’s hardest-working university Chancellor

OSHAWA, ONTARIO – In the academic journey of most Canadian university students, degree-seekers typically only meet their Chancellor just once: on the day they graduate and cross the stage with cap and gown. 

Ontario Tech University in Oshawa named Mitch Frazer, a partner at international business law firm Torys LLP in Toronto, as its fourth Chancellor on May 1, 2020. However, due to the pandemic, Mr. Frazer had to wait a full year to preside over his first Convocation at Ontario Tech. On June 23 and 25, Chancellor Frazer conferred all degrees, honorary degrees, certificates and diplomas during two virtual Convocation ceremonies for the graduating classes of 2020 and 2021.

Many months before Convocation, the new Chancellor stepped up his efforts to help current and future Ontario Tech students realize their academic dreams. Seeing himself as the ‘Students’ Chancellor’, the champion of ethical applications in technology and of social innovation is making a commitment to truly go ‘the extra mile’.

Recognizing that many Ontario Tech students rely on financial aid, and that the past year has been a particularly difficult time, Mr. Frazer created the Chancellor’s Challenge during the late part of winter to help raise funds for student bursaries and scholarships through the Ontario Tech Student Success Fund.

Chancellor Frazer’s challenge was to help Ontario Tech students by running or walking 7.2 kilometres every day for four weeks, regardless of the weather. The Chancellor’s Challenge began on Family Day (February 15) and culminated on Ontario Tech’s annual Pi Day of Giving on March 14. Why 7.2 kilometres a day? That’s the equivalent distance between Ontario Tech’s north Oshawa and downtown Oshawa campus locations.

In all, he ran or walked more than 380 kilometres during the Challenge, roughly the cumulative distance from Toronto to the heart of Muskoka and back. Many others in the campus community followed the Chancellor’s lead and joined the Challenge in their own way by running or walking, and asking family, friends and colleagues to participate with a gift to the fundraising campaign.

The inaugural Chancellor’s Challenge was a resounding success, setting the stage for making it an annual event on the Ontario Tech calendar.

Chancellor Frazer is an avid running enthusiast, having run the Boston, New York, Chicago, London and Berlin marathons. He will complete his final major world marathon in Tokyo in March 2022.

Quotes

“Our students are innovators and change-makers who will improve our lives and environment in the future. We have to make sure Ontario Tech students have the support they need so they can succeed. I am thrilled about the widespread support for the first-annual Chancellor’s Challenge. Our university and our community are making a vital difference in the lives of young people, one step at a time.”
-Mitch Frazer, Chancellor, Ontario Tech University

“Leading by example by donating to the Student Success Fund and challenging others to do so as well, demonstrates to our students that they will succeed because we’re here for them. I am so pleased to see that Mitch, Ontario Tech’s Chancellor, is as passionate as I am about giving back to students at Ontario Tech University. Together we are creating the type of graduates our society needs.” 
-Bob Baun, Former NHL hockey defenceman, four-time Stanley Cup champion and longtime Ontario Tech University benefactor 

To arrange an interview with Chancellor Mitch Frazer, please contact:

Patricia Pickett
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
905.809.1675 (mobile)
patricia.pickett@ontariotechu.ca