The late Gordon Dennis of Rockwood, Ontario built a 30-year career in the transportation sector, culminating as Director of Distribution for the Ontario/West Region with Molson Canada. He attained renown for his insights and innovations in the area of supply chain management.
His untimely death this spring at age 58 gave rise among family, associates and his employer for establishment of a lasting tribute. Accordingly, the Gordon Dennis Memorial Endowment for Excellence in Supply Chain Management will be created at Conestoga, to provide financial assistance to deserving students.
The donors have joined to raise $21,500 towards the endowed scholarship and matching funds of at least that amount will come from the Ontario Trust for Student Support.
This endowment will permit presentation of the first $1,000 scholarship award this fall to a deserving second-year student from the Business Administration - Materials and Operations Management program who has achieved in the first year of program studies an overall academic standing of at least 70 per cent, who demonstrates financial need and who is intent on pursuing a career in supply chain management.
In Conestoga's Materials and Operations Management program, students gain the skills and knowledge required for careers in the highly specialized and expanding fields of production and inventory control, purchasing, traffic of goods and supplies for business and industry, logistics and value analysis. The program emphasizes all five of the basic management functions: planning, organization, staffing, coordination and control.
Todd Dennis, Gordon's brother, comments, "Through this scholarship, students will have a chance to learn about Gordon, and their potential future employers will certainly recognize Gordon's name when these students seek to begin careers in supply chain management."
Conestoga President John Tibbits states, "I'm very impressed by the effort of Gordon Dennis' family and colleagues in creating this scholarship. It is certainly a tribute to his life, career and achievements. I am very grateful that those involved in this project have thought of Conestoga, not only in connection with the high quality program of instruction we offer in supply chain management, but also in the significant impact it will make on helping advance the success of the students who earn this honour."
In addition to Molson Canada, scholarship contributions have come from Labatt Breweries of Canada, Sleeman Breweries Ltd., Challenger Motor Freight Inc., Trailcon Leasing Inc. (a company that leases and services transportation trailers), The Sherway Group (a provider of customized transportation, logistics, warehousing and supply chain solutions) and Motive Media (a firm specializing in motor fleet vehicle graphics).
CONTACT: Julie Gillis, 519-748-5220, ext. 3285, jgillis@conestogac.on.ca
(Note: The donors who have established this scholarship advise that further donations can be made by pledging online to or by contacting Julie Gillis at Conestoga College, jgillis@conestogac.on.ca. Donations are tax deductible, and additional donations will increase the matching-funds component from the Ontario Trust for Student Support.)