Golf Classic swings big with record $625,000 for Concordia students
Concordia’s annual Golf Classic fundraiser has raised more than $8.8 million since 2004.
A full roster of industry leaders, donors and friends gathered on September 2 at Golf Griffon des Sources in Mirabel, Que., for the 2025 edition of Concordia’s Golf Classic — an event that continues to transform students’ lives.
This year’s tournament raised a milestone $625,000 for scholarships and bursaries, bringing the event’s total fundraising to nearly $9 million since it began in 2004. All funds count towards the Campaign for Concordia: Next-Gen Now.
Renowned for uniting executives from Quebec’s eight major banks — a distinction unmatched by any other fundraiser in the province — the Golf Classic remains one of Concordia’s flagship philanthropic events.
Funds raised through the Golf Classic help ease the financial burden for Concordia students through bursaries that address financial need and for scholarships that reward outstanding academic or athletic performance.
“These awards can be transformative,” said Maria Mangiocavallo, BComm 86, GrDip 89, vice-president of Commercial Banking for Scotiabank in Quebec. “They can open doors and allow students to focus on their education rather than worrying about whether they can afford it.”
Honouring the visionaries behind the Golf Classic
This year’s event also paid tribute to the long-time honorary co-chairs whose leadership has shaped the Golf Classic’s success: Louis Tanguay, BComm 75, LLD 18; Luigi Liberatore, LLD 18; and André Desmarais, BComm 78, LLD 07.
Concordia President Graham Carr announced the creation of three new student awards in their honour. Starting in 2026–27, six scholarships valued at $5,000 each will be awarded annually for four years, supporting students who demonstrate academic success.
Tanguay welcomed the opportunity to give back to the university that played a pivotal role in shaping his professional journey.
“Higher education is the engine of economic success — and a better society,” said the former head of Bell Canada, who completed his degree in the evenings while rising through the company’s ranks in the 1970s. “Concordia gave me the foundation for my career, and I hope these new scholarships help talented students move forward.”
“The greatest reward is knowing our contributions will directly support Concordia students and help the next generation succeed,” said Liberatore. “As a humanist, I believe in helping people grow.”
More than 1,700 students have benefited from Golf Classic awards to date, providing them with the financial assistance they need to focus on their studies and pursue their goals.
With more than half of Concordia’s 50,000 students relying on financial aid, the Golf Classic continues to play a vital role in helping students reach their potential — one swing at a time.
We are grateful to our volunteer leadership team
Honorary chairs
- André Desmarais, BComm 78, LLD 07, deputy chairman, Power Corporation of Canada
- Luigi Liberatore, LLD 18, president, Luigi Liberatore Foundation
- Louis Tanguay, BComm 75, LLD 18, corporate director
Co-presidents
- Tony Aksa, vice-president, Strategic Markets Development, National Bank of Canada
- Caroline Brault, District Vice-President, TD Bank
- Philippe Langelier, managing director and head, Quebec Corporate Client Group, RBC Royal Bank
- Maria Mangiocavallo, BComm 86, GrDip 89, vice-president, Commercial Banking, Quebec Region, Scotiabank
- Marco Millin, vice-president, Real Estate Financing - Commercial Banking, Laurentian Bank
- Tino Monteleone, MBA 12, regional vice-president, BMO Commercial Bank
- Paul Sawaya, vice-president and region head, CIBC Commercial Banking, Quebec
- Philip Ward, vice-president, Specialized Business Services Division, Desjardins