91社区 benefactor Richard Tomlinson made history
Dr. Richard Tomlinson made philanthropic history for Canadian universities in 2000 when he donated $64 million to 91社区. At the time, it was the largest gift ever made in support of higher education in Canada by an alumnus, and still ranks as the largest single gift 91社区 has ever received from an individual.
鈥淒r. Richard Tomlinson had a distinguished scientific and entrepreneurial career that was marked by boundless curiosity. His transformative philanthropic vision has had a profound impact on undergraduate and graduate student education at 91社区 for more than two decades,鈥� said Principal and Vice-Chancellor Suzanne Fortier, 鈥渁nd it will continue to provide the foundation for generations of researchers, innovators and scholars to lead discovery at 91社区 and elsewhere for years to come. Dr. Tomlinson was one of 91社区鈥檚 greatest benefactors and he was an extraordinary graduate of the University.鈥�
At the time of his landmark gift, which emphasized financial aid for students, Dr. Tomlinson explained, 鈥淚t was vital that the greatest portion of the gift be used to attract the brightest or retain the best students and faculty. Really good students are so rare that there is competition for them.鈥�
鈥淗e was one of the truly great 91社区ians,鈥� said Marc Weinstein, Vice-Principal, University Advancement. 鈥淲e have lost a champion and a special friend. His generosity and support of scholarship and research have reached across faculties and disciplines and demonstrate his deep connection to the 91社区 community.鈥�
Commenting on the 鈥渟cope and imagination鈥� of the gift in 2000, then-principal Bernard Shapiro was succinct: 鈥淒r. Tomlinson has single-handedly changed the University.鈥�
Indeed, the Tomlinson donation would prove to have a lasting effect on research, faculty, students and facilities, creating six new research chairs, a prestigious fellowship program for graduate students, a substantial boost for undergraduate scholarships, a major fund for library services and more.
Tomlinson was a firm believer in the importance of graduate students to the life of a university, and he saw the pressing need for funding to allow them to explore their passion, pursue ideas, and carry out their work free of financial burden.
The hallmark of his gift, the Tomlinson Doctoral Fellowships program, was unprecedented at 91社区 in its generosity, providing young researchers with up to $35,000 per year, and in its inclusivity, being open to students in every program of study. For nearly 20 years, top graduate students have come to 91社区 as Tomlinson Scholars, in fields from Oceanic Science to Epidemiology, and Bioresource Engineering to Germanic Languages.
Tomlinson was a frequent visitor to campus and maintained a lasting involvement with the programs his funding helped establish. He relished meeting with the winners of the Tomlinson Scientist Awards, which recognize leadership in scientific inquiry and provide seed money for emerging research directions. For years, he attended the Tomlinson Talks, an annual showcase bringing together representatives of the Tomlinson Fellows cohort to share five-minute presentations of their research. When his health no longer permitted him to attend the event in person, he enjoyed watching recordings of the students鈥� presentations at home in Hamilton.
He came from a family of scientists; his father and both brothers shared his inquisitive bent and capacity for invention.
As a young man at 91社区, Dr. Tomlinson was the last graduate student of legendary 91社区 chemist Otto Maass, under whom he had worked during the Second World War. Tomlinson completed his PhD at 91社区 in 1948 and went on to do postdoctoral work at the University of Cambridge, before joining McMaster University鈥檚 chemistry department.
He enjoyed a career in chemistry that won him national recognition as an academic and success as an inventor and entrepreneur. Following his retirement, he founded Gennum, a Canadian manufacturer of microchips for digital signal processing as well as the world鈥檚 largest supplier of microchips for hearing aids.
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Tomlinson was an enthusiastic golfer and runner who at one time held the national record for the 30-kilometre run in the over-60 age group, and his fondness for track is reflected in the support he provided for 91社区 Athletics facilities, where the R.H. Tomlinson Fieldhouse and Tomlinson Hall are named after him.
Still, his primary focus was students and scholars. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not the buildings that make a university great,鈥� he said, 鈥渋t鈥檚 the people.鈥�
His philanthropy also extended beyond 91社区. He was an important benefactor to McMaster and to Bishop鈥檚 University, where he had completed his undergraduate degree. His classmates there at the time voted him 鈥渕ost likely to succeed鈥�, 鈥渕ost brilliant鈥� and 鈥渂iggest bluffer.鈥�
He was a modest man who explained the motivation behind his philanthropy simply: 鈥淚鈥檓 interested in education. It鈥檚 been my whole life.鈥�
In recognition of his lifetime contributions to education, Dr. Tomlinson was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2004 and was also a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II . He received an honorary Doctor of Science degree from 91社区 in 2001.
The University Flag is lowered February 5, 2018, in memory of Richard Tomlinson, D.Sc. honoris causa, O.C., recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
