TORONTO, May 3, 2011− Business leader Seymour Schulich, one of Canada’s most successful entrepreneurs and benefactor of York University’s Schulich School of Business, will be inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame this evening.

Mamdouh Shoukri, president and vice-chancellor of York University, congratulated the respected businessman on the rare honour, which will be awarded at the annual gala in support of Junior Achievement of Canada.

“For more than two decades, Seymour Schulich has been an incredible friend and ambassador of York University,” said Mamdouh Shoukri, president and vice-chancellor. “He is a tireless advocate for students, and is committed to providing Canada’s future leaders with a world-class education.”

“Many institutions have benefitted from his generosity, including York. His gift helped us to establish the Schulich School of Business, now ranked one of the top business schools in the world. Since its inception, the School has had the privilege of teaching some of Canada’s leading business experts, a testament not only to the success of our students and academic excellence, but also the commitment of Seymour himself,” Shoukri added. “The York community congratulates him on this incredible achievement.”

“Seymour Schulich’s association with our School has been transformational,” said Dezsö J. Horváth, dean of the Schulich School of Business. “His support and encouragement have given us the confidence to expand our global footprint and to compete at the highest level. More importantly, he has created a lasting legacy that will help shape thousands of future business leaders." Added Horváth: "Our alumni, students, faculty and staff take great pride in the fact that Seymour Schulich is being recognized by the Canadian business community for his significant contributions to the economic growth and development of our country.”

Schulich, the president of Nevada Capital Corporation Ltd., will be inducted as a Companion of the Canadian Business Hall of Fame with three other business leaders: Aldo Bensadoun, founder and CEO of Aldo Group Inc.; Guy Laliberté, founder of Cirque du Soleil; and W. Galen Weston, chairman and president of George Weston Limited. The four prominent individuals are being recognized for their business excellence and outstanding professional achievements and contributions to Canadian society. Seymour Schulich revolutionized the mining industry when he and his partner pioneered the concept of royalty payments. He also created what was at one time the largest gold mining company in the world and has had a successful business career that has spanned numerous decades and a number of different industries.

The Schulich School of Business at York University was named after the Hall of Fame inductee following his $15-million donation to York in 1995 – at the time, the largest gift of its kind ever made to a Canadian university. The donation was used to endow five academic chairs and to create a series of annual scholarships for Schulich students that reward academic excellence. His gift funds more than 27 annual named scholarships and awards, as well as numerous bursaries that have benefited hundreds of students at the undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate levels.

In addition to his 1995 endowment, Schulich contributed $10 million toward the state-of-the-art business education complex at York University, which opened in 2003. The complex houses the Schulich School and the Schulich Executive Learning Centre. He has also supported a number of other important initiatives at York, including the Lorna R. Marsden Honour Court and Welcome Centre. In total, Schulich has given in excess of $30 million to York University over the past two decades. 

In 2007, Schulich published the best-selling book, Get Smarter: Life and Business Lessons, which summarizes his business philosophy and offers advice to aspiring entrepreneurs. The book has sold more than 100,000 copies worldwide and is published in numerous languages.

Schulich was appointed to York’s Board of Governors in 1996 and is now an Honorary Governor on the board, as well as a member of the Dean's Advisory Council at the Schulich School of Business. He received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from York University in 2003.

One of Canada’s greatest philanthropists, Schulich was awarded the Order of Canada in 2000. He has given more than $280 million to Canadian and foreign universities, is responsible for the awarding of thousands of scholarships, and has endowed facilities ranging from professional schools of business, education, law and engineering, to medical health centres.

Contact:
Elayne Shapiro, Communications Assistant, Schulich School of Business, 416 736 5546, eshapiro@schulich.yorku.ca 

Wallace Pidgeon, Associate Director, Media Relations, York University, 416 736 2100 x22091, wpidgeon@yorku.ca