McMaster University gifted $50M to open Canada’s only leadership college

McMaster University has received a large donation to open a college focusing on equipping leaders in Canada.

Former Chancellor Lynton “Red” Wilson and the Wilson Foundation have gifted the Hamilton-based university with $50 million.

The grant will help with developing the Wilson College of Leadership and Civic Engagement.

“This is an extraordinary gift from an extraordinary leader and a great Canadian who wants the best for our students and our country,” said McMaster President David Farrar.

“This gift supports McMaster’s vision of developing students into leaders who are ready to tackle Canada’s most complex issues.”

Wilson said his interest in supporting students and McMaster’s Wilson College stems from his belief that Canada needs leaders now more than ever.

“We have many dedicated, hopeful leaders, but they are up against threats that tear at the fabric of civilization, allowing cynicism, inertia and negativity to gather momentum,” said Wilson, who graduated with an economics degree from McMaster University in 1962.

“There is no model or formula for developing effective leaders, but there is an opportunity to build on the university’s innovation culture, its strong leadership team and faculty and its track record of pioneering new approaches.”

McMaster’s Wilson College will feature a curriculum nested in the faculties of humanities and social sciences.

It will be the only program in Canada that focuses exclusively on leadership and civic engagement and will offer the only honours bachelor of arts degree in leadership and civic studies in the country.

The first cohort of students is projected to begin their studies in the fall of 2024.