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André Desmarais at the Desmarais Building naming ceremony.
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Alumnus Paul G. Desmarais and his family saw their contributions to the University of Ottawa recognized recently with the naming of the “Desmarais Building,” a new flagship building for the national capital.
The naming marks a contribution of $15 million to the University of Ottawa’s Campaign for Canada’s university by Mr. Desmarais, a renowned Canadian and one of Canada’s most successful businessmen. It represents the largest single donation by an individual to the University in its history.
“The University of Ottawa has always been at the very heart of the education of the Desmarais family. My late father, my wife Jacqueline, my siblings and myself are proud alumni of the University and some of my grandchildren are currently attending the University,” said Paul G. Desmarais.
“The University reflects a lot of the Canadian values that we are attached to as a family — and the values of this university are those of integrity, education and helping the French language in Canada,” said André Desmarais on behalf of his father at a naming ceremony on August 15, 2006.
“Given the significant Desmarais family presence at our university, the strong Franco-Ontarian roots — roots that are a central characteristic of our university’s mission — the Desmarais Building is a natural fit,” said President Gilles Patry. “We are proud to recognize the contributions of Mr. Paul G. Desmarais and Mrs. Jacqueline Desmarais to the University and to Canada in this very tangible way,” he continued.
During the Ceremony, commenting on his father’s experience at the University of Ottawa, André Desmarais recounted how his father would often say that to succeed in life, you need luck but having a good education helps to increase your luck.
A firm believer in the value of education, Paul G. Desmarais’ donation, the largest ever in the history of the National Capital Region, has helped the University achieve more than 90 per cent of the $200-million goal of its major fundraising campaign.
Paul G. Desmarais has been a staunch contributor to the University over the years. He is the honorary chairman of the current Campaign for Canada’s university. In the 1990s, he chaired the University’s fundraising campaign, VISION.
“Mr. Desmarais’ $15 million donation represents a significant vote of confidence in our University,” said David Mitchell, vice-president, university relations. “This is a truly transformational gift that raises the bar for philanthropy in our community.”
