Oct. 22, 2018
For Immediate Release

Waterloo – The Graham Munro Charitable Foundation announced a donation of $500,000 to Wilfrid Laurier University’s Lazaridis School of Business and Economics. The gift, announced Oct. 22, will advance research and education in supply chain management.

“This is a game changer for Laurier and businesses in our region,” said Deborah MacLatchy, Laurier president and vice-chancellor. “With this support, Laurier and the Graham Munro Charitable Foundation will cultivate the next generation of leaders in supply chain management.”

The donation will name the M-O (Maritime-Ontario Freight Lines Limited) director at Laurier’s Centre for Supply Chain Management, a role that will foster awareness of the supply chain management profession among students and build strong, mutually beneficial relationships with industry to support teaching excellence and research.

“The field of supply chain management is changing at a rapid pace and requires fresh talent, innovation and a competitive edge to keep the economy growing,” said Doug Munro, president, Maritime-Ontario Freight Lines Limited. “Partnering with Laurier to provide students with the best education for career success is a win-win for everyone. We are excited to help students break into their professions with their best foot forward and invigorate industry with the sharpest and best-trained minds.”

In addition to the directorship, the donation will fuel incentive scholarships to attract national and international graduate students, and will also support the Lazaridis Supply Chain Association, a new student association that provides its members with experiential learning opportunities, applied research projects at industry companies, and connections to professional associations.

“This investment from the Graham Munro Charitable Foundation will enhance our ability to support supply chain management students and faculty who are driving Canada’s prosperity,” said Micheál J. Kelly, dean of the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics. “In addition to benefitting from innovative education and applied research in companies, students will build invaluable industry connections that will provide them with a strong foundation on the best business practices from some of the most successful global companies.”

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About the Graham Munro Charitable Foundation

The Graham Munro Charitable Foundation is a private, registered Canadian foundation that transforms lives through financial grants. The foundation was established in 1986 by the shareholders of Maritime-Ontario Freight Lines Limited. The foundation continues its work today under the leadership of Doug Munro, president of Maritime-Ontario, its Board of Directors, and executive director.