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2009 Recipient

Tom O'Neill, Com'67, LLD'05

Tom O’Neill was honoured with the 2009 John Orr Award for his distinguished career in the business world, and his continued volunteer involvement with Queen's, from his years on the Board of Trustees, to his ongoing work with the School of Business. Today’s Queen's students have benefitted greatly from his business expertise and his civic involvement.


Message from Tom O'Neill, 2009 John Orr Award winner.

My key message tonight is that Queen's needs our help. We have a few problems to address.

Problem #1  is a systemic one, in that our significant funding mechanism – the Ontario Government – regulates much of how we operate, yet funds a declining portion of our annual budget.  In my day, the standard cost of my education was substantially borne by the government. Over time, this support has been offloaded to other sources of revenue, including tuition increases, while government grants declined.

Problem #2 is the fiscal situation.
The province has a huge deficit to contend with, and the health care sector, unlike the secondary education system, is getting an increasing % of GDP.

There is a widely held belief that, given our enormously successful history, Queen's does not require financial assistance on a sustained basis. But that is no longer a viable notion.

Daniel Woolf and his leadership team need all the help they can get from alumni, be it in volunteer time, in money or both.

We can help ensure that Queen's:

1) remains known as “Canada’s” University

2) remains recognized for its standard of excellence – as a place where worthy scholars can prosper without worrying about the financial consequences

3) Remains the institution the very best faculty are eager to join and eager to stay with.

In short, we must continue our own search for and support for excellence. It’s a continuing investment that will pay handsome dividends for generations to come. This is one area that is totally in our hands, and it’s not regulated. It’s all about our own ability and willingness to help.

So my ask is simple – Queen's needs our help, mine and yours. As you reflect on your individual investments into the Canadian not-for-profit community, please remember this great institution.

Remember all that Queen's has done for our country, our industry, our economy, and for all of us… And then think how much more Queen's can do for so many more going forward – with our support.

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