Planned gifts & gifts-in-kind

Constantine Constandis, BComm 79, and Anne Upton-Constandis, BComm 80, are dedicated to making an enduring impact on future generations.

Both chartered accountants and Concordia alumni, the couple announced a major planned gift to the Campaign for Concordia: Next-Gen Now to benefit John Molson School of Business students. They are designating 25 per cent of their estate — a multi-million-dollar commitment — to establish an endowed scholarship for MBA and Chartered Professional Accountancy graduate students.

“Creating this scholarship is our way of giving back to the institution that provided us with so many opportunities,” says Anne.

Constantine, a retired global executive in the wine and spirits industry, was inspired to give after guest lecturing at the John Molson School. He later developed a course with Matthäus Tekathen, chair of the Department of Accountancy, which they will teach again in 2025. 

Anne’s career included roles in accountancy, internal audit and theatre design. Another 25 per cent of the couple’s estate is set aside for Habitat for Humanity, where she has long served as a volunteer.

“This scholarship fund is intended to honour the sacrifices of our parents,” says Constantine. “Education was a cornerstone in our lives. We hope our contribution will help students realize their potential and make a positive impact on their communities and the world.”

Altus Group provided the John Molson School with software licenses worth more than $1.3 million. The gift will provide real-estate finance students with access to ARGUS, the company’s asset and portfolio management enterprise software.

Croesus Finansoft Inc. donated portfolio management software worth $750,000 for undergraduate and graduate finance students at the John Molson School.

Documentary producer and former part-time lecturer Jocelyne Clarke, GrDip 86, MA 90, donated archival materials worth an estimated $138,826 to Concordia University Library.

The Estate of Henry Paul Crevier donated $136,686 to support Concordia’s Greatest Needs. 

Records Management and Archives accepted the donation of archival materials from the late Henry Beissel, a poet, playwright, essayist, translator, editor and distinguished professor emeritus. The gift-in-kind is worth an estimated $119,200.

A planned gift of $105,000 from Ruth Steinberg established two scholarships: the Ruth and David Steinberg PhD Scholarship in English Literature ($60,000) and the Ruth and David Steinberg MA Scholarship in Creative Writing ($45,000).

The Estate of Gary L. Sobel gave $100,000, the second distribution from the estate to support the Miriam Sobel Award for undergraduate students in financial need.

A bequest of $95,000 from the late Rose Szasz, a long-time member of the Canadian Hungarian Artists Collective who attended Sir George Williams University in the 1950s, was made in support of scholarships for students in the Department of Art Education. 

Michel Magnan, Distinguished University Research Professor and Stephen A. Jarislowsky Chair in Corporate Governance at Concordia, made a planned gift of $75,000 to provide bursary support for undergraduate students at the Faculty of Arts and Science, Faculty of Fine Arts and John Molson School.

Pnina Gagnon, widow of François-Marc Gagnon, LLD 92 — founding director of Concordia’s Gail and Stephen A. Jarislowsky Institute for Studies in Canadian Art and an affiliate professor in the Department of Art History — donated archival materials from her late husband worth an estimated $63,900.

A gift of $50,000 from the Estate of Carole Lavallée will fund the Carole Lavallée Scholarship for Out-of-Province Students. The fund was established in honour of a long-time Concordia staff member who passed away in 2023.

The Estate of Beverley Taugher Rozek donated $49,914 to support a student award at the School of Irish Studies. 

A gift-in-kind worth an estimated $32,625 was donated by Mitchell Press Works to establish the Claude Truman Mitchell Press Award for undergraduate students in print media. One annual recipient will receive a custom steel press from the donor to encourage their journey as a print-based artist.

Elaine Betchinski, BA 77, made a bequest commitment of 45 per cent of the residue of her estate towards Concordia Stingers women’s athletics. Betchinski was a four-time basketball all-star and a member of the undefeated 1976-77 Stingers team, which was inducted into the Concordia Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.

Steve Georgopoulos, BComm 76, and Liga Dekmeiers-Georgopoulos made a planned gift in support of the Library Development Fund and the Otsenhákta Student Centre Development Fund.

John De Vries, BA 65, and his spouse made a bequest of 25 per cent of their estate towards bursaries for students enrolled in the Department of Sociology. 

A retired faculty member made a substantial bequest to supplement an endowment for Faculty of Arts and Science scholarships.