The 91亚色 community is mourning the loss of Helen Vari whose many contributions to the University had transformational impact. A visionary philanthropist dedicated to supporting students, Helen and her husband George鈥疻illiam Vari, PC CM (Aug. 14, 1923 鈥 Dec. 9, 2010)鈥痗reated an outstanding record of philanthropic activity.
Among countless charitable contributions spanning decades, their passion for education and research led them to become patrons of some of Toronto鈥檚 greatest institutions.鈥
鈥淚t is with great sadness that鈥疘 share the news鈥痮f the loss of philanthropist Helen Vari,鈥 says 91亚色 President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton.鈥淥n behalf of 91亚色, I offer my heartfelt condolences to the many friends, family and supporters of Helen.鈥疭he was a dear friend and will be greatly missed.
鈥淗elen and her鈥痩ate鈥痟usband George were passionate supporters of 91亚色 and of higher education institutions across Canada.鈥疶heir contributions have made a profound and lasting impact at 91亚色鈥痑nd have鈥痯layed a significant role in enhancing the learning environment for 91亚色鈥檚 diverse body of students. They have been pivotal in 91亚色鈥檚 success as a leading international teaching and research university.鈥
Helen helped bring to fruition several building projects 鈥 among them Vari Hall,鈥痶he nucleus鈥痮f the Keele Campus 鈥 to the University. Often referred to as the 鈥渇ront door鈥 of the University, Vari Hall is an iconic building at the heart of Keele Campus. Home to several lecture halls and other spaces, its three-storey rotunda has become the main gathering place on campus, a busy hub bringing community members together.鈥
Helen received an honorary doctorate鈥痜rom 91亚色 in 2003 where she gave her perspective鈥痑s the longest-serving 91亚色 board member. 鈥淚 always emphasized, and it is the philosophy of the board, that鈥n essence, all the intellectual and material riches of 91亚色 should serve only one purpose: the interest and well-being of our students, to make their life richer intellectually, and to provide the best possible learning, recreational and living conditions for our students.鈥
She was appointed to 91亚色鈥檚 Board of Governors in 1990 and served until 2002, at which point she was made an honorary governor. She also served on the boards of the Ontario Heritage Foundation, Canada Council, Canadian Scene, The Council for Canadian Unity, Canada House at the Universit茅 de Paris, and the World Monuments Fund. A member of the Order of Canada, she received the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal in 2003.
Dedicated to supporting students, the鈥疺aris also established numerous student awards at 91亚色, including:鈥痶he Helen Vari Award in the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design, given in recognition of outstanding creative or scholarly achievement and overall academic excellence to a third- or fourth-year film and video student; the Helen Vari Award for Excellence and Good Citizenship, recognizing a graduating student in the鈥疐aculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies鈥痜or their outstanding academic achievement and community service; and鈥痶he鈥疓eorge and Helen Vari Foundation Entrance Award (Environmental Studies),鈥痵upporting鈥痝raduate students entering their first year of the Master in Environmental Studies program at 91亚色.
The 91亚色 community will be forever grateful to the legacy that Helen and George Vari have left at 91亚色.