Jeffrey BoyceRob McMorris
The Donor: Jeff Boyce
The Gift: $1.5-million
The Cause: University of Ontario Institute of Technology
The Reason: To fund a research chair studying alternative fuel.
The University of Ontario Institute of Technology has only been around for nine years so it doesn't get a lot of public attention. Calgary businessman Jeff Boyce is hoping to change that.
"I am trying to get them recognized," said Mr. Boyce, chief executive officer of Sure Energy Inc., a natural gas exploration company. "I like the people. They are really focused on practical things that can make a difference in people's lives."
Mr. Boyce grew up in Oshawa, Ont., the home of UOIT, and he graduated from Durham College in 1980, which is now affiliated with the university. He soon headed to Calgary on the strength of his baseball ability, landing a job with Dome Petroleum Ltd. mainly to be a pitcher on the company's team. "I was quite a renowned fast ball pitcher and that got me out to the West," he said.
He thrived in the oil business and went on to co-found several companies including Vermilion Resources Ltd., now Vermilion Energy Inc., before joining Sure Energy. Although he remained in Alberta, Mr. Boyce kept close ties to Durham College and UOIT. He donated $125,000 to Durham College for scholarships in 2007 and last month contributed $1.5-million to UOIT, the largest individual gift in the university's brief history.
The UOIT donation will fund a research chair to study how natural gas can be used as an alternative fuel for transportation. "Energy is a big part of our lives," he said. "You just assume it's there when you flick the switch on or turn on the gas for your barbecue, but it's not that simple."
Mr. Boyce's donation is just the start. He hopes to build even closer ties to the university as an adviser. "I've developed a fairly long-term relationship with them and it will continue to build," he said. "It's not just financial. It's working with them to help them. And I like working with all these young brilliant students. You learn a lot."
Paul Waldie