Hero Fund Congratulates Michael Wilson on his Appointment as Chancellor of the University of Toronto

May 15, 2012 - PRLog -- TORONTO – The Canadian Hero Fund today congratulated Michael Wilson, Honourary Patron of the Fund, on his appointment as Chancellor of the University of Toronto. Effective July 1st 2012, Mr. Wilson will assume the role as ceremonial head of the university, taking over from David Peterson at the completion of his second term.

Mr. Wilson is a graduate of Trinity College at U of T, where several of Hero Fund’s founding members first began work building the charity from the ground up. He has served as the federal Minister of Finance and Canadian Ambassador to the United States, in addition to wide involvement with a number of charitable organizations and causes.

In his new position, Chancellor Wilson will be responsible for presiding over official ceremonies, conferring degrees, representing the university’s alumni and advancing the university’s interests in the community and policy-making process. “We commend the University of Toronto on its selection of Michael Wilson to serve as Chancellor. Mr. Wilson has served with distinction and been a tremendous help to our organization,” said Michael Ball, Executive Director of the Canadian Hero Fund.

Mr. Wilson provided mentorship and guidance to the Hero Fund’s founding group during the critical early stages of its development. He continues to volunteer his time and support as Honourary Patron of the Fund.

Biography of The Honourable Michael Wilson

Mr. Wilson was instrumental in establishing the Cameron Parker Holcombe Wilson Chair in Depression Studies at the University of Toronto. Mr. Wilson continues to provide voluntary leadership in the health sphere and was appointed by the Government of Canada to the governing council of the Canadian Institutes for Health Research. He was recently named as the Vice-Chair.

Prior to serving as the 22nd Ambassador of Canada to the United States of America from March 13, 2006 to October 9, 2009, Mr. Wilson held a number of senior positions in the financial services industry.

Mr. Wilson was elected to the House of Commons in 1979. In September 1984, he was appointed Canada's Minister of Finance and remained in that position until May 1991. He then became Minister of Industry, Science and Technology and Minister for International Trade. Following his service in government, Mr. Wilson launched Michael Wilson International in 1993 to offer corporate clients advice on international trade and related issues.

Mr. Wilson was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2003 and was promoted to Companion of the Order of Canada in 2010. He also has an honorary degree from York University and an Honorary Doctorate from the Royal Military College of Canada.

About the Canadian Hero Fund

Founded in 2009, the Canadian Hero Fund is a registered charity dedicated to assisting
military personnel and their families. With a focus on civilian, grassroots efforts, the initial
goal of the Canadian Hero Fund is to provide post-secondary scholarships to the children
and spouses of fallen soldiers. The motto “Keeping Their Dreams Alive” stands for the
dreams of the families and children that are sustained through Canadian Hero Fund
support programs, as well as the dreams of fallen soldiers who wanted more for future
generations.

About the University of Toronto

U of T faculty co-author more research articles than their colleagues at any university in the U.S. or Canada other than Harvard. As a measure of impact, U of T consistently ranks alongside the top five U.S. universities whose discoveries are most often cited by other researchers around the world. U of T faculty are also widely recognized for their teaching strengths and commitment to graduate supervision. Established in 1827, the University of Toronto today operates in downtown Toronto, Mississauga and Scarborough, as well as in nine renowned partner hospitals.

U of T attracts undergraduate, graduate and professional program students from across Canada and abroad. Students at the University have unique opportunities to learn from top researchers. On campus, students are able to craft intimate learning communities within a unique undergraduate college system, participate in more than 1000 clubs and co-curricular activities, and compete on a wide variety of intra-mural and inter-collegiate sports teams.

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