Two alumni who are big supporters of mental health initiatives at ʹ’s are being honoured by the Montreal Branch of the ʹ’s University Alumni Association.
Gregory J. David, Com’89, and Neil G. Rossy, Artsci’92, are this year’s recipients of the Stirling Award, the highest honour given by the Montreal Branch. The award recognizes outstanding contributions by an alumna/us to ʹ’s, or to both the ʹ’s and Montreal communities.
“Greg and Neil have had such an important impact on ʹ’s and it is very inspiring for the global alumni community,” says Montreal Branch president Arlette Boghoskan, MIR’14. “I am happy the Montreal alumni community can honour these two outstanding grads and highlight their contribution to the university.”
The pair have funded numerous mental health initiatives at ʹ’s. In 2013, QSuccess, a program to help students develop the skills to succeed personally and academically, was launched thanks in part to seed funding from Mr. David and Mr. Rossy. Last year the program helped 21 mentors support 59 first-year students. Both men have also been big supporters of ʹ’s “hub and spoke” counselling model which provides a central counselling service and additional counselors in buildings across campus to provide direct support.
Mr. Rossy is the president and CEO of Dollarama. Mr. David is the CEO of the financial advisory firm GRI Capital as well as a member of the Dollarama Board of Directors.
In 2013, the Rossy Family Foundation made headlines by making a $30 million gift to establish the Rossy Cancer Network. Both Mr. David and Mr. Rossy sit on the foundation’s board of directors.
A Stirling Award reception for Mr. Rossy and Mr. David takes place on June 14 in Montreal.
The Stirling Award was first handed out in 1939 and called the Montreal Medal. It was renamed in 1988 in honour of ʹ’s eighth chancellor John Stirling (1960-74), who was also a successful Montreal businessman.
