Richard E. Rooney
BA 1977 NEW
Through his extraordinary generosity, Richard Rooney has played a pivotal role in establishing and strengthening key programs at New College, and served as a steadfast volunteer to U of T.
A proud alumnus of U of T’s New College, Richard Rooney earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1977. He attributes much of his success in investment management to the formative experience he had at New College, where the close-knit, community-driven atmosphere eased the transition from his rural Ontario upbringing and left a lasting impression. This spirit of community has remained a guiding force in his life, inspiring his continued connection to U of T.
Rooney’s commitment to New College has left an indelible mark on its students and academic programs. In 2012, Rooney made a transformative $1-million donation to launch New One: Learning Without Borders. The program fosters intimate learning opportunities and facilitates one-on-one interactions between first-year students and faculty members in community-engaged courses focused on social responsibility. In addition to his steadfast support of the Principal’s Innovation Fund, he contributed generously to the creation of New College’s landscaped plaza. Developed in partnership with the New College Student Council, this welcoming space brings people together and fosters connection across the College.
In 2024, Rooney made an extraordinary $5-million gift to the African Studies Centre and the Centre for Caribbean Studies, elevating these long-standing, vibrant research hubs to new heights of excellence. The gift – the largest single contribution ever made to these programs – supported the creation of two endowed professorships and two prestigious postdoctoral fellowships, fostering the development of emerging scholars in these critical fields.
Beyond his financial contributions, Rooney has been an exemplary volunteer leader, bringing his expertise to various committees since 2001 and to previous U of T campaigns, deepening his commitment to advancing the university’s mission.