The University of Toronto conferred an honorary degree on Vic 8T1 alumnus Blake Goldring at the Victoria College convocation June 17 for his outstanding service to the university and impactful community contributions.
This is the second honorary degree from the U of T community for Goldring, a philanthropist and accomplished business leader. He received a Victoria University honorary degree in 2021 for his work in the business community and for his philanthropy.
Goldring is the executive chairman of AGF Management Limited, a Canadian investment management firm, and he sits on a number of not-for-profit boards related to causes he champions.
He was named a Member of the Order of Canada in 2018 for his contributions to philanthropy and to business, most especially for his work in founding the Canada Company, an organization that awards scholarships to the children of fallen soldiers and helps veterans find meaningful employment in the civilian workforce. He was named to the Order of Ontario in 2024.
Goldring also has deep ties to U of T’s the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education. The Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport was made possible by the vision and commitment of three Toronto families, the Goldrings, Kimels and Stollerys.
“My father believed that a fit mind and body go hand in hand,” Goldring said for Pursuit magazine on the occasion of the centre’s opening in 2014. “When the opportunity came to do something transformative for athletics, it really took root with him.”
Blake’s father, the late Warren Goldring, was an avid intramural athlete while at U of T.
“The family’s tradition of philanthropy really goes back to my grandfather, Dr. C.C. Goldring, one of the founders of the Toronto United Way. He always had a sense that you should give back through time, money or contacts, and my father was imbued with the same belief, which he passed on to my sibling and me,” Blake shared with Pursuit.
Four generations of Goldrings have attended U of T and are proud alumni. Blake and his sister, Judy Goldring, are members of the third generation.
“The Goldring Centre has increased our Faculty’s capacity for everything we do,” said Gretchen Kerr, dean of KPE. “Sport medicine specialists, researchers, coaches and trainers are all able to converge in this remarkable space to share ideas, test theories and translate breakthroughs into even higher standards of practice for the care, training and coaching of athletes across the board.
“This integration of academic and athletic programs is one of KPE’s most distinct features and this synergy was further strengthened with the provision of the Goldring Centre.
“We are delighted to see Blake Goldring recognized with a U of T honorary degree for his numerous and transformative contributions to the university. On behalf of the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, I wish to wholeheartedly congratulate him on this well-deserved honour.”
In his acceptance speech at Convocation Hall, Goldring said this was an exciting time to be graduating because of all the change that is occurring around us.
“Change brings opportunity,” he said. “By leveraging your tech savvy, your AI skills and familiarity, your curiosity and critical thinking, you are very well equipped to seize those opportunities. There’s an opportunity for each and every one of you to leverage the latest tools and innovations to become innovators yourselves.”
Think of the world we are entering, he said.
“You don’t have to squint too hard to see we’re on the verge of transformational change powered by the latest technological advancements. The potential of new tools and technologies is enough to get anyone excited.”
Goldring urged graduates to have empathy, which he said was one of the top qualities he looks for when assessing leadership candidates on Bay Street.
“I would encourage you all to think about how you too can give back in your own way, whether it’s through the work you do – or outside of work altogether. You, as leaders, have the ability to affect change and make an impact on the lives of others. And like me, I suspect you’ll also find that giving back and making an impact is its own reward.”