• Tribute Giving

    Gifts made in memory or in honour of someone special is a meaningful and thoughtful way to commemorate or celebrate a loved one leaving a lasting legacy while supporting the Schulich School of Business.  Donations can be directed to a new or established fund, or to the School’s Highest Priorities.

Dezsö J. Horváth Tribute Fund

Dezsö J. HorváthDr. Dezsö J. Horváth, C.M., was first appointed Dean of the Schulich School of Business in 1988 and completed his final term as Dean on June 30th, 2020, following more than three decades of extraordinary leadership and transformation. In honour of his remarkable 32 years of service, excellence and innovation, a special tribute fund has been launched by alumni and friends. Donations to the fund will support the Dezsö J. Horváth Visionary Leadership Award to pay tribute to the Dean’s success and impact. Gifts to the tribute fund will support the establishment of both a permanent endowment fund and an expendable fund. Every gift to this tribute fund will have significant impact and will recognize talented and deserving students. To support the tribute fund, please visit schulich.yorku.ca/dezsohorvath.

A Special Tribute to Bill Graham

In 2001, Bill Graham (MBA ’86) was appointed President of the Schulich Global Alumni Network, making him the second president since the formation of what was then known as the Global Alumni Association. It’s a post that has taken him to countless corners of the globe – engaging, connecting, and building lasting bonds with an ever-expanding Global Alumni Network that currently boasts 34,000 members. Bill has retired from his role as President after more than two decades of exceptional leadership and service.

In deep gratitude, alumni and friends are establishing the Bill Graham (MBA ’86) Global Leadership Award at the Schulich School of Business. The award will support incoming domestic and international students who have been admitted into a graduate program at the Schulich School of Business. Recipients of the award will be emerging leaders who demonstrate a commitment to advancing international business by showing they understand the importance of environmental, social, and corporate governance standards necessary to improve the global business space for all. Recipients must also demonstrate financial need and academic excellence (minimum 6.0 GPA, B+) in previous studies.

To thank and celebrate Bill with a gift toward this new award to be established in his honour, please visit www.schulich.yorku.ca/gift-billgraham or contact our Development Office at (416) 736-5708 to make your tax-deductible donation today. We invite you to visit Bill’s Appreciation Page to learn more about his Schulich Story and how he has impacted, and continue to impact, our community.

Based in the USA, United Kingdom, Singapore, or Hong Kong? Please contact us at advancement@schulich.yorku.ca to receive instructions on how to make tax-deductible or tax-effective donations.

The Schulich School of Business is also currently raising funds for the following initiatives:

  • William A. Dimma Memorial Initiative
  • The Donald J. Daly Memorial Initiative
  • The Joyce Zemans Scholarship Fund
  • Dezsö J. Horváth Tribute Fund
  • James Gillies Memorial Campaign

William A. Dimma Memorial Initiative

Photo of William Andrew

An esteemed business leader and beloved husband and father, Dr. William A. Dimma, C.M., OOnt. (MBA ’69, Hon. LLD ’98) passed away peacefully on December 22, 2022, leaving a legacy of distinction and public service.

Dr. Dimma was a Professor and the fourth Dean of the Schulich School of Business, formerly known as the Faculty of Administrative Studies, since the School’s founding in 1965. As Dean from 1974 to 1976, he helped shape the School’s development and growth while contributing to its growing eminence in global management education. Dr. Dimma was a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council (now called the Dean’s Global Council) since 1998 and a member of York University’s Board of Governors from 1976 to 1997, which included a term as Board Chair from 1992 to 1997. Dr. Dimma was honoured with the Schulich Alumni Recognition Award for Outstanding Executive Leadership in 1992 and was the recipient of a York University Bryden Alumni Award for Leadership in 2001.

A strong advocate of higher ethical awareness and business standards, Dr. Dimma was a well-regarded leader and role model in the corporate community.

Bill, as he was called by family, friends, and colleagues, lived as he led, with character and compassion. He will live in the hearts of those who loved him the most: his wife of 61 years, Louise, and daughters, Katherine and Suzanne, as well as beloved cat, Pluto. We invite you to learn more about Dr. Dimm’s remarkable life in business and beyond by visiting his special tribute page here.

We invite you to join us in our fond remembrance of Bill and in honouring his long-standing service and support of the Schulich and York community by clicking here. Thank you for your support.

The Donald J. Daly Memorial Initiative

Don at 100 years old
Don in 2022
Photo of Don Daly
Don in 1969

Happiest when surrounded by his wife and friends, Donald J. Daly lived all 100 years of his life to the fullest until his passing on October 19, 2022. A retired member of Schulich’s world-renowned faculty and a well-respected scholar, Don started teaching at the School in 1969 when he moved to Toronto with his wife. He was an active researcher focused on studies about Japan where he made nine trips to while working at Schulich.

An avid traveller, Don travelled to all 52 U.S. States, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, with wife of 79 years, Madeleine, joining him in all of his global adventures. He was a member of the Canadian Naval Reserve and served in action as a Lieutenant on the Canadian east coast. A regular church attendee and community volunteer, Don leaves a legacy of service to his country, a zest for life, and most of all, a love for his family.

Every gift makes a difference in the lives of Schulich students who are experiencing financial challenges while pursuing their Schulich degrees. Thank you for your support.

Please join in the celebration of Don’s life and legacy with a gift toward the Schulich Student Support Fund in Memory of Donald J. Daly by visiting schulich.yorku.ca/donaldtribute

The Joyce Zemans Scholarship Fund

Joyce Zemans headshotA Member of the Order of Canada, Professor Joyce Zemans retired in July 2020 from Schulich’s MBA Program in Arts, Media & Entertainment Management, where she served as director and co-director for over 25 years. She is the former director of the Canada Council for the Arts, dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts (now the School of Arts, Media, Performance and Design) and chair of the Department of Visual Arts at York University, where she was honoured with a University Professorship.

“Joyce Zemans is a remarkable woman, a leader who has looked at the future of every one of the academic programs and cultural organizations she directed and made decisions that pushed them forward, always in the right direction.” – Trina McQueen, O.C. (Hon LLD ’19)

To pay tribute to Joyce’s extraordinary contributions and impact to the Arts, Media and Entertainment Program, alumni, friends, and family have endowed a new award – the Joyce Zemans Award of Achievement -to benefit one or more MBA students specializing in AM&E at Schulich. Recipients will demonstrate a dedication to the arts, media and cultural industries, and will be recognized for their achievements and leadership skills.

To support the endowment fund, please visit schulich.yorku.ca/joycezemans or contact our Development Office at (416) 736-5708 to make your donation today.

Dr. James Gillies Memorial Campaign

James GilliesOn April 19, 2016, the Schulich School of Business held a special memorial event to celebrate the life and times of the School’s Founding Dean, Dr. James Gillies. Family, friends, colleagues and the entire Schulich community joined in the fond remembrance of a beloved titan and pioneer in the academic arena and beyond.

Dr. James Gillies, Founding Dean of the Faculty of Administrative Studies, now the Schulich School of Business, was a man of great vision and passion whose all-encompassing commitment to the entire Schulich community as a leader, a teacher, a pioneer, and a philanthropist among others has left an indelible mark in the history of the School.

Dedicated to advancing student success and recognition, Dr. Gillies’ generous philanthropic support to the School established The James Gillies Award, which recognizes Master’s level students who are enrolled in their second-year of the MBA, IMBA or MPA programs and who have achieved high academic standing and demonstrated significant contribution to the community or university.

A true Renaissance man, Dr. Gillies’ legacy of distinction helped made Schulich the School that it is today – one that’s leading change in management education. Memorial donations will be directed to The James Gillies Award endowed fund by visiting supportschulich.ca/jamesgillies.

  • ONLINE DONATIONS

    To make a gift in memory or in honour of an individual, please visit our online giving page, complete the details under “In Honour/In Memory of Someone Special”.  Once you’ve donated, Schulich will email an acknowledgment card to the family/individual that a gift was made.  If donating to an existing fund, please visit “View all giving opportunities” under “Select Designations”.

    ESTABLISH A NEW FUND

    If you would like to set up a named tribute fund, please contact our Development Office at 416-736-5708 or advancement@schulich.yorku.ca.

    ADD TO AN EXISTING FUND

    If donating to an existing fund, please visit “View all giving opportunities” under “Select Designations” or contact our Development Office at 416-736-5708 or advancement@schulich.yorku.ca.

    NAMING OPPORTUNITIES

    Named benchesNamed spaces or benches offer another opportunity for the Schulich community to memorialize or honour the legacy of someone special.  To learn more about existing naming options, please contact our Development Office at 416-736-5708 or advancement@schulich.yorku.ca.