Concordia Journal Home > Archives > September 11, 2008 issue >

Best for JMSB’s best 

The Darling Foundry is a once-abandoned industrial building in downtown Montreal that was recently converted into a venue for contemporary art installations. On September 9, the exhibition space was transformed into an Indian-themed pleasure palace that might look more appropriate in Mumbai or Hyderabad than in Canada’s second largest city.

The occasion was the Best of the Best Extravaganza, a fundraising event that has been held every year since 2003 to provide fellowships to John Molson School of Business doctoral students. The fellowships—worth $15,000 and renewable for up to three years—are awarded to talented PhD students enrolled in full-time studies.

More than 120 alumni, professors and corporate friends of Concordia’s business faculty were in attendance and, together, they successfully raised $100,000.

Guests were greeted by dhol drummers as the sweet and spicy aromas of a specially cooked, three-course Indian meal wafted from the kitchen. Dancers and musicians entertained guests between courses.

It was an evening few guests will forget, especially the three doctoral students whose talents and accomplishments were being honoured: Émilie Gibeau, Mahmood Mohebshahedin and Melanie Robinson.

Guests heard from President Judith Woodsworth who thanked them for their present and past support of the university, and Kathy Assayag, Vice President of Advancement and Alumni Relations, who paid tribute to the evening’s three co-chairs: the Honourable Baljit Chadha, President of Balcorp, who also sits on Concordia’s Board of Governors; Peter Hall, VP and Managing Director of Peter Hall Associates; and Craig Shannon, Managing Director, Investment Banking of National Bank Financial. Both Hall and Shannon are JMSB Advisory Board members.

Assayag also thanked the individual and corporate donors whose contributions have helped to make the new JMSB facility, which will open its doors in September 2009, a reality: Mouvement des caisses Desjardins, BMO Financial Group, KPMG Montreal and the Chadha Family Foundation.

Dean Sanjay Sharma touted the achievements of the JMSB, its students and faculty, and stressed the need for increased student support so that the business school can attract and retain the best and brightest minds.

“We are very pleased by the turnout of so many of our private sector friends – your support is invaluable to our school and to Concordia. Both students and faculty are grateful for your support – the business community is our partner in the truest and deepest sense,” said Sharma.