TORONTO, Sept. 25, 2012 /CNW/ - Lawrence Bloomberg, a distinguished philanthropist and accomplished Canadian business leader, has been named chancellor of Ryerson University.
"Throughout his life and career Lawrence Bloomberg has earned a national reputation as an advocate and supporter of education, a facilitator of innovation and entrepreneurship and an active member of the community. We are thrilled that he will be bringing his vast experience and passion to the students, faculty and staff of Ryerson as our next chancellor," said Sheldon Levy, president and vice-chancellor of Ryerson University.
The chancellor, who is the ceremonial head of the university, is appointed for a three-year term. In addition to acting as an ambassador for Ryerson on local, national and international levels, the chancellor also presides at all convocations and confers university degrees. Bloomberg begins his term October 19, 2012 and will be Ryerson's fourth chancellor, succeeding G. Raymond Chang.
"Like so many others I have been watching with interest Ryerson's growth as a university and its impressive expansion in the heart of the city," Bloomberg said. "I have a strong affinity for the culture of innovation at Ryerson and the kind of education it offers. Education has never been more important to support individual achievement and our progress as a society, and I am truly excited and honoured to be joining Ryerson at this exciting point in its history."
Bloomberg is chair of the Board of Directors of BloombergSen Inc., an investment counseling firm. He is a director of the National Bank of Canada and is currently an advisor to National Bank Financial. In 1979 Bloomberg founded First Marathon Inc, which became one of Canada's leading investment dealers. First Marathon was purchased in 1999 by the National Bank.
A member of the Order of Canada and recipient of the Order of Ontario, Bloomberg has a long and distinguished record of community service. Among his many positions, he is past chairman of Mount Sinai Hospital, former director of the Toronto Region Research Alliance, past director of the Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care, the Royal Ontario Museum and the Toronto International Film Festival. Bloomberg is a founder and director of MaRS, a Toronto incubator where science, technology and social entrepreneurs can advance their business ideas.
His philanthropic contributions have included naming The Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing at the University of Toronto and the Frances Bloomberg Centre for Women's and Infants' Health at Mount Sinai Hospital. He recently launched the Bloomberg-Manulife Prize for the Promotion of Active Health at McGill University. He endowed the Lawrence Bloomberg Chair in Accountancy at Concordia University and the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Fellowship at the Wharton School (University of Pennsylvania) which provides financial support for a student from Canada. He sponsored the Lawrence Bloomberg Wing at the Schulich School of Business and has made many substantial gifts to other institutions and campaigns.
Mr. Bloomberg graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Sir George Williams University (now Concordia University) and an MBA from McGill University, and is a recipient of an honorary Doctor of Laws from Concordia University and the University of Toronto.
Ryerson University is Canada's leader in innovative, career-oriented education and a university clearly on the move. With a mission to serve societal need, and a long-standing commitment to engaging its community, Ryerson offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs. Distinctly urban, culturally diverse and inclusive, the university is home to more than 28,000 students, including 2,300 master's and PhD students, nearly 2,700 faculty and staff, and 140,000 alumni worldwide. Research at Ryerson is on a trajectory of success and growth: externally funded research has doubled in the past five years. The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education is Canada's leading provider of university-based adult education. For more information, visit www.ryerson.ca
Image with caption: "Lawrence Bloomberg, distinguished philanthropist and accomplished Canadian business leader, has been named Ryerson University's fourth chancellor. He will begin his three-year term on Oct. 19, succeeding G. Raymond Chang. (CNW Group/Ryerson University)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120925_C9408_PHOTO_EN_18459.jpg
SOURCE: Ryerson University
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