We are proud to announce that the Telfer School of Management at the University of Ottawa is the recipient of a principal gift of $1.5 million from alumnus Camille Villeneuve. His new support includes $350,000 towards the Camille Villeneuve Fund for Entrepreneurship, $150,000 towards the existing Camille Villeneuve Student Activity Fund and a one million dollar bequest that will be allocated to the Dean's Strategic Priorities Fund.
"We are profoundly thankful to Mr. Villeneuve for his generous gift," stated Allan Rock, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ottawa. "This investment will help to enhance one of our strategic priorities - the student experience - by providing Telfer students with the means to make a difference in our community and beyond."
The Camille Villeneuve Fund for Entrepreneurship will grow existing and new programs, providing students with enterprise start-up support and linking them to entrepreneurs through competitions, workshops, speaker series and sharing of best practice.
The Camille Villeneuve Student Activity Fund offers financial support to student delegations representing the university as they attend or host events, including case-competition teams, academic conferences, seminars and workshops.
"These funds allow us to connect students with what matters to them while they learn alongside leaders, executives and entrepreneurs as brilliant as they are inspiring" said Dean François Julien. "We are delighted to name our multi-purpose event room (DMS 4101 in the Desmarais Building) the Camille Villeneuve Room in recognition of his loyal, lifelong giving to the Telfer School. His success as a local entrepreneur who is known for his integrity can serve as an inspiration to our students."
“I started university with a firm belief that I would succeed in business,” said Villeneuve, a 1967 uOttawa management graduate. “And as far as that goes, I can say without hesitation that the University of Ottawa gave me the theoretical knowledge needed to succeed, but that it also enabled me to build a network of contacts that was decisive throughout my more than 40 year career. That’s why it seemed completely natural for me to reaffirm my sense of belonging to the Telfer School of Management as a donor, in support of its pursuit of excellence.”
Mr. Villeneuve's donation will support the Telfer School's Entrepreneurship initiatives. "We are committed to helping students succeed" said Stephen Daze, the Dom Herrick Entrepreneur in Residence at the Telfer School. "For many, success will be starting a new venture or contributing to one as co-founder or team member. We provide the tools and resources students need to learn, network and build their innovation and entrepreneurship skills."
This new pledge brings Mr. Villeneuve's lifetime giving to the School to nearly $1.85 million. While he has given back to Telfer students through his philanthropic support as well as his membership on the Dean's Advisory Board from 2005-2011, his contributions extend beyond uOttawa. His leadership and commitment to the environment earned LEED platinum certification on a 2014 Multivesco construction project.
Alumni and friends who choose to make a planned gift in addition to giving during their lifetime can leave their legacy at the Telfer School by allowing it to respond to emerging needs today and tomorrow. University budgets are tightly restricted and gifts offer deans a degree of flexibility that would not otherwise be possible.
“Making a planned gift is a way to ensure that future students will succeed” adds Mr. Villeneuve.
Mr. Villeneuve is one of many alumni who continue to stay connected with and give back to the Telfer School of Management to support students and the overall objectives of the school.
About Camille Villeneuve (BCom 1967, DU 1996)
Camille Villeneuve, president of Multivesco, is a proud Telfer School of Management alumnus and an Outaouais entrepreneur whose success in the business world can serve as an inspiration to Telfer students. He received his Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1967 and was award an honorary doctorate from the University of Ottawa in 1996.
Over more than 40 years, he has developed numerous real estate projects locally and in the U.S. His values of perseverance, patience, respect and integrity have driven his relationships with clients and employees alike.
