News Releases

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Sept. 3, 2015) - Ryerson University is pleased to announce a $1 million gift from BMO Financial Group. The gift will strengthen Ryerson's successful Tri-Mentoring program (TMP), which provides mentoring to students to assist in adjustment to university life, community involvement and transition to the workplace. The program, which celebrates its 15^th anniversary this school year, increases student retention and achievement in university, in addition to employment rates after graduation.

"We are proud to partner with Ryerson and support a program that helps equip students for success during their university journey as well as their transition into the workplace," said Andrew Auerbach, Head of Sales & Distribution, Canadian Personal & Commercial Banking, BMO Financial Group. "BMO's long standing commitment to education continues with the expansion of the Tri-Mentoring program."

BMO Financial Group's support is the catalyst of a dramatic expansion of the TMP. Thanks to BMO's gift, TMP will be positioned to expand outreach including specific programming for students with disabilities, Aboriginal students, LGBTQ students, women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs and more. Each of the groups faces distinct challenges around education, employment, community and representation. With BMO's support, TMP will strengthen their odds for success both at university and in their careers.

"Ryerson's Tri-Mentoring Program has helped more than 20,000 Ryerson students with learning, leadership and employment through mentoring." said Sheldon Levy, President of Ryerson University. "BMO has been a foundational player since the very beginning and we couldn't have achieved this without their support. This gift will ensure many more students succeed both at Ryerson and in their careers."

In addition to the expansion of the TMP, BMO's gift will also create:

• The BMO Student Internships, targeting job-placement support for students from marginalized groups;
• The BMO Awards for Leadership and Community Development;
• BMO Youth in Focus photography workshops at the Ryerson Image Centre (RIC) for school-aged students from priority neighbourhoods; and
• A strategic partnership for BMO Financial Group with the Ted Rogers School of Management Careers & Employer Partnerships Centre, mentoring business students as they consider their career options.

About Ryerson University

Ryerson University is Canada's leader in innovative, career-oriented education and a university clearly on the move. With a mission to serve societal need, and a long-standing commitment to engaging its community, Ryerson offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs. Distinctly urban, culturally diverse and inclusive, the university is home to more than 38,000 students, including 2,300 master's and PhD students, nearly 2,700 faculty and staff, and more than 165,000 alumni worldwide. Research at Ryerson is on a trajectory of success and growth: externally funded research has doubled in the past four years. The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education is Canada's leading provider of university-based adult education. For more information, visit www.ryerson.ca

About BMO Financial Group

Established in 1817, BMO Financial Group is a highly diversified financial services provider based in North America. With total assets of approximately $672 billion as of July 31, 2015, and more than 47,000 employees, BMO provides a broad range of retail banking, wealth management and investment banking products and services to more than 12 million customers and conducts business through three operating groups: Personal and Commercial Banking, Wealth Management and BMO Capital Markets.