Dominic D’Alessandro’s endowment for graduate awards at Concordia reaches $10 million

Dominic D’Alessandro, BSc 67, LLD 98, the former long-time president and CEO of Manulife Financial, has made a major gift of $6 million to the Campaign for Concordia: Next-Gen Now to establish a historic, first-of-its-kind PhD awards program at his alma mater. With this latest donation, his total endowment for graduate awards at Concordia now exceeds $10 million.

The significant contribution will support students pursuing research-focused PhDs in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), and finance, offering them scholarships that will rival Canada’s top academic awards in monetary value.

The Dominic D’Alessandro PhD Awards are designed to provide financial support to top-tier doctoral students and are expected to set a new benchmark for academic excellence in Canada. The endowment will fund 10 awards annually, each valued at $50,000.

“This gift will ensure that Concordia’s brightest minds in STEM and finance have the resources to achieve their full potential,” says Concordia President Graham Carr. “Intrepid as a leader, Dominic D’Alessandro has long been a champion of innovation and education. This remarkably generous contribution will have a lasting impact on students, researchers and the broader community. We are deeply grateful for his unwavering support and vision for the future of Concordia and Canada.”

The D’Alessandro Awards will provide a much-needed boost to Concordia’s efforts to attract and retain world-class talent. With an emphasis on innovation and research, the awards are designed to propel top students into academic and professional careers that will contribute to trailblazing research and advancements in their respective fields.

“Education has always been a priority for me,” says D’Alessandro, who served as president and CEO of Manulife Financial from 1994 to 2009. “I’m proud to support Concordia, my alma mater, and I believe these awards will help the next generation of students excel in their studies and contribute to the innovation economy. Concordia has always had the spirit of pushing boundaries, and I’m excited to see the impact these awards will have.”

D’Alessandro’s gift follows a long history of philanthropic contributions to Concordia. A donation of $1 million in 2019 was made towards research fellowships. A graduate of Loyola College, one of Concordia’s two founding institutions, D’Alessandro was awarded Concordia’s Loyola Medal in 2004 in recognition of his remarkable leadership in business and his steadfast commitment to the university. An honorary co-chair of the Concordia Golf Classic, he is also a former Campaign for Concordia honorary vice-chair and former member of the university’s Board of Governors.

“Concordia is fortunate to have such a visionary donor in Dominic D’Alessandro,” says Faye Diamantoudi, Dean of Graduate Studies. “This historic gift will open doors for exceptional student talent, ensuring that deserving recipients have the resources and support they need to thrive in their studies and contribute to meaningful research.”

The awards will be managed by the School of Graduate Studies, and recipients will be selected based on academic excellence by the relevant faculties and departments. Intended for students enrolled in research-oriented PhD programs in STEM and finance, the awards are open to Canadian and international students alike.

In addition to providing valuable financial support, the awards will serve as a key recruitment tool for the university’s top PhD programs, elevating the university’s global standing in graduate education.

“This gift will help to position Concordia as a leader in supporting the next generation of research leaders, particularly in STEM fields and finance,” says Paul Chesser, BA 94, GrDip 97, vice-president of University Advancement. “We are truly grateful to Dominic D’Alessandro for his tremendous generosity, vision and leadership in advancing Concordia’s mission.”