Ontario Tech honours Oshawa-based foundation’s continued contributions to university life

A recent $400,000 gift from the Herman Kassinger Foundation to Ontario Tech University has brought the long-time benefactor’s total donation to $550,000 and earned the foundation a plaque honouring its continued support of the school.

Ontario Tech University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Steven Murphy welcomed trustees from the Herman Kassinger Foundation to Shawenjigewining Hall earlier this summer to unveil a recognition plaque in celebration of their generous contributions to the university.

The support is helping students achieve their academic goals through the Herman Kassinger Endowment, the Herman Kassinger Foundation Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) Endowment, and capital contribution for the construction of Shawenjigewining Hall, Ontario Tech’s newest building.

In 2003, the Herman Kassinger Foundation established an endowment that provides six financial awards annually for undergraduate students; in 2021, the endowment contributed to the OGS program at Ontario Tech, which encourages excellence in graduate studies.

The late Herman Kassinger, a renowned land developer and builder in Oshawa and Durham, understood the importance of philanthropy and donated generously to causes as a way of giving back to the community that afforded him so many opportunities. Today, the Herman Kassinger Foundation continues these philanthropic endeavours on Kassinger’s behalf.

“Herman Kassinger didn’t build houses; he built communities. He believed we are all part of the community, and when you provide support, everyone benefits,” said G. Charles S. Morison, Trustee, Herman Kassinger Foundation. “Since that time, the Foundation has continued to uphold his vision. Herman has always supported higher education and we, at the Foundation, continue to carry on that legacy.”

Shawenjigewining Hall is home to the Faculty of Health Sciences, Office of Student Life, Office of Continuous Learning and the Ontario Tech Student Union, as well as classrooms, conference rooms and meeting spaces. One of the meeting spaces now bears the plaque honouring the Foundation’s support.

“The generous support of the Herman Kassinger Foundation demonstrates the power of community and shows Ontario Tech University students that the community believes in them, and that the positive impact they will make in the world is not a dream but a reality,” enthused Dr. Steven Murphy, President and Vice-Chancellor, Ontario Tech University.