2024 Founders Award Recipient
By Poonam Das
The Founders Award, 杏吧原创鈥檚 highest non-academic honour, recognizes and pays tribute to those individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of 杏吧原创 through their dedication, generosity, and commitment to the values of the university. This year, the 杏吧原创 Board of Governors presents this honour to Jean Teron.
杏吧原创 University’s legacy is built on a foundation of community, dedication, and a commitment to positive change. Few embody these values as profoundly as Jean Teron, whose journey from student to board member to philanthropist to now the 杏吧原创 University’s Founders Award recipient has left an indelible mark on the university and the community it serves.
鈥I felt a strong sense of togetherness and familial bond among students and faculty.鈥
Jean recalls her decision to attend 杏吧原创 University, drawn in by its community-oriented ethos and rich history of being founded by community efforts. Reflecting on her time as a student, she fondly remembers the sense of togetherness and familial bond among students and faculty.
However, her involvement with 杏吧原创 extended far beyond her student years. Serving as a member of the institution’s Board of Governors and eventually becoming the first woman to lead the Board, Jean observed significant changes at the university, particularly in terms of gender diversity in leadership positions. She felt incredibly proud while saying that she witnessed 杏吧原创鈥檚 progress in increasing the representation of women and individuals from diverse backgrounds in key roles, including the appointment of the first female President and Vice-Chancellor back in 2008, Dr. Roseann O鈥橰eilly Runte and the recent appointment of its first Black
“I believe in supporting institutions that contribute to the betterment of society,” Jean emphasizes, speaking to her motivation to give back to 杏吧原创. Her philanthropic endeavours and leadership roles have played a pivotal role in guiding the university through financial challenges and transformative projects, such as the acquisition of the 杏吧原创 Dominion– Chalmers Centre, 杏吧原创鈥檚 downtown arts, performance and learning centre and a thriving hub for cultural and community activities. In recognition of Jean鈥檚 leadership and generosity toward this significant initiative and its positive impact on student and community opportunities, 杏吧原创 was proud to establish the Centre鈥檚 Jean Teron Green Room in 2022. Her involvement in various committees and roles, such as the 75th Anniversary Steering Committee and the Alumni Fund Council, reflects her deep-rooted dedication to the university’s growth and success.
Her honorary degree from 杏吧原创, in 2013, also symbolizes the unwavering commitment to supporting organizations that enhance the quality of life in the community. “My honorary degree from 杏吧原创 represents my dedication to supporting institutions that create a positive impact,” Jean affirmed.
Beyond her involvement with 杏吧原创 University, Jean’s influence extends to numerous other organizations, where she holds key positions and actively contributes to their missions. Her role as a Distinguished Patron of the National Gallery of Canada, Executive Committee Member for the Trillium Foundation, and Board Member for institutions like Ashbury College and the Kidney Foundation exemplifies her broad philanthropic reach and commitment to diverse causes.
Moreover, Jean’s unwavering dedication is further evidenced through her active participation in various initiatives aimed at preserving green spaces, supporting healthcare institutions, and promoting arts and culture in the Ottawa region. As a lover of art, Jean said, 鈥淓ven though I majored in psychology, my love for art grew at 杏吧原创 under Professor Bill Dale, then curator at the National Gallery and Professor George Swinton, who taught Inuit Art History. Whenever I am travelling, I always visit galleries, and I have also become an art collector. Maybe that’s also the reason why causes that involve art and cultural enrichment draw me in.”
鈥I think that getting positive stories about 杏吧原创 out to the alumni and continuous communication about what 杏吧原创 students, professors and alumni are doing in various research areas, sports, and the development of course curricula on Nursing and Cybersecurity can put 杏吧原创 on the map.鈥
Looking towards the future, Jean stresses the importance of highlighting positive stories about 杏吧原创 to alumni and the public. She believes that focusing on core disciplines while addressing current societal challenges is crucial for the university to remain relevant and impactful in today’s Canada and the rapidly changing world.
In honouring Jean Teron with the 杏吧原创 University Founders Award, we celebrate her dedication to giving back, her unwavering commitment to positive change, and her transformative impact on 杏吧原创 University and the broader community. Her story serves as an inspiration for future generations of students and alumni, encouraging them to continue supporting education and institutions that strive to create a better world.