Mark O’Connell, BA’92, was touring U.S. college campuses with his teenage sons when he experienced “an epiphany.”
“My eldest was finishing high school and considering Ivy League universities,” recalls O’Connell. “And while we were touring their campuses it struck me: these schools are on par with McGill – academically and internationally – but look at their facilities, the tools, the investment. I was blown away.
“I realized that it’s a lot about alumni support, and people caring about their university after they graduated. It hit me that we have to do it, and I want to be part of the solution.”
So while his son weighed options for university, O’Connell came to his own decision: “I was going to get involved with McGill.”
That was four years ago. Since then O’Connell’s been an active member of McGill’s Toronto Regional Advisory Board, which has been “a rich experience. Taking part in discussions with Principal Fortier, brainstorming ways McGill can evolve and innovate, hearing from the department of epidemiology during the pandemic – it’s been very rewarding.”
Getting involved seemed like a natural choice for a proud alum. “I had a fantastic experience at McGill, and a great time exploring Montreal. My four years were exactly what I wanted: challenging, invigorating, and academically second-to-none. It was a great foundation for my career progression.”
He went on to earn an MBA from the University of Windsor and attend Harvard Business School; he then served as President and CEO of Interac Corp. for 17 years.
“I see supporting elite universities like McGill as supporting the next generation of success,” says O’Connell. “We will succeed as a society – certainly economically, but also in social and cultural terms – based on that education. I did my research, and the cost disparity between an elite school in Canada and the U.S. is unbelievable. How can we ensure these bastions of Canadian education keep going?”
It hit me that we have to do it, and I want to be part of the solution.”
O’Connell has made a leadership gift to the Made by McGill campaign, and is also planning a legacy gift, such as a bequest left in a will. “When I learned about legacy gifts I thought, ‘Wow, what a perfect fit.’ Giving meaningfully can be difficult during certain times in life. But you can integrate legacy gifts into your retirement planning, and there can be advantages through taxes. It really opened my eyes.”
Legacy donors are encouraged to support areas that are most meaningful to them, and O’Connell’s priority is sustaining McGill’s excellence for the next 200 years. “Part of that is continuing to attract amazing students, both locally and internationally, and I’m a big believer in the power of environment. Students think, ‘Do I feel at home here? Is the campus inviting me in, and giving to me as I’m going to give to the university?’ I want to make sure the facilities, tools and environment are up to the elite standard McGill has historically ascribed to.”
Speaking of the power of the campus environment, what was the result of his sons’ college tour?
“Matthew just graduated [with the McGill Class of 2021], and my youngest, Ryan, starts in September.” Dad is proud, “but I never pushed. By Ryan’s second year of high school, McGill was his only choice.”
Support McGill’s Third Century. Leave a legacy gift today.