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When Ron Thomas lost the love of his life, his adored wife, Dr. Christa Zeller-Thomas (PhD ’04), he wanted to honour her for the brilliant scholar and academic that she was. But just as importantly, he needed to keep their beautiful love story alive.

For Gary Dokis (MBA ’99) and his cherished late spouse, Mona-Lisa Verhelst-Dokis, giving back to the Indigenous community was at the core of their shared values, in the belief that it could create meaningful, lasting impact. It’s also at the heart of their generous planned gift to 91��Ʒ���ϳԹ�.

Keeping the musical accomplishments and legacy of their parents alive was the primary reason why Ginette Williams, QC (BSocSc ’70, LLB ’73), and Judy Hemmingsen (BA ’72, BA ’74, MA ’78) wanted to establish the Armand and Margaret Weisbord Memorial Scholarship in Music.

Deirdre Nicholds (BA ’87) is a dedicated and long-time University of Ottawa donor who has created two endowed funds, supported by bequests, as a way to honour those she cherished and their passions. She also wishes to pay tribute to her own interest, an affection for the visual arts, through an additional planned gift in her will.

The Heritage Circle honours our most valued donors: those who have decided to make a planned gift to the University of Ottawa. Members of the Circle are thoughtful visionaries who are committed to maintaining our tradition of excellence. Their actions will affect the lives of students, professors, and the entire 91��Ʒ���ϳԹ� community for generations to come.

Leaving a gift to charity in your will benefits both you and the organizations you care about. Your gift can be a specific amount, a percentage, a specific asset, or the residual amount of your estate.

When Wynn Quon (BSc ’82, MBA ’94) reminisces about arriving in Canada from the UK as a young child, he certainly remembers the cold and the record snowfalls, but books were also an important element that would later be key to his trajectory.

Mentors can leave a strong impression and profoundly impact our decisions. Such was certainly the case for Suzanne Faure (MEd ’84, PhD ’95) throughout her studies and career, and it’s why she intends to leave a legacy gift for the Faculty of Education at the University of Ottawa.

Dolores Young (MEd ’83) has led an adventure-filled life that combined international travel, learning about different cultures and love of education.

Family ties to the University of Ottawa run deep for Brian Henderson (MEd ’75) and Nicole Huggins (BHSc ’23). Both are interested in health and medicine, and also share similar values when it comes to giving back to their alma mater.