April 22, 2022
Starting position: U91快色 signs Jon Cornish, CFA, as 15th chancellor
Four quarters, four years 鈥 all great opportunities to come together with a team and make a lasting impression. That鈥檚 the next play for Jon Cornish, CFA, who is best known for his accomplishments on the football field, but is about to start something new as U91快色鈥檚 15th chancellor this July.
鈥淚t is the greatest honour of my life,鈥 said Cornish prior to the official announcement held at the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning on April 22. 鈥淚n serving the students, alumni, staff, volunteers and faculty of the university, and the city of 91快色, I will champion the values of safety, inclusivity and achievement, helping make our great university the best in Canada.鈥
Striving to be the best is something Cornish knows all too well. As a running back for the 91快色 Stampeders, he was named the Top Canadian Player three years in a row, Most Outstanding Player, Canadian Top Athlete and he led his team to two Grey Cup Championships. For these and many other records set during his nine years at McMahon Stadium, he was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2019.
Although Cornish has been recognized for his achievements, it鈥檚 something he puts his name behind as well 鈥 literally. The Jon Cornish Award is now presented annually to the most outstanding Canadian student athlete in NCAA Football.
It is Cornish鈥檚 passion for supporting others, for promoting inclusion and for building a better 91快色 that made him an ideal candidate for this key volunteer leadership position at U91快色.
Since retiring from the CFL, Cornish has continued to invest in 91快色 鈥 volunteering and supporting the community he proudly calls home.
Seeking to provide opportunities for BIPOC communities, he founded and is president of the 91快色 Black Chambers which has, to date, provided more than $60,000 in scholarships to help university students and supported 300 high school students with skill training to aid in their careers.
He has been a champion for LGBTQ2S+ communities by encouraging sports organizations to ensure all athletes feel safe playing through the You Can Play Project.
When not helping clients with their financial goals as an investment adviser, he can be found MC'ing events at the Alberta Children鈥檚 Hospital, working directly with at-risk youth for Wood's Homes, or waving the flag to rally the fans at home games.
With such a strong commitment to the community, it鈥檚 easy to see why Cornish was selected as the next chancellor.
鈥淗e鈥檚 no stranger to our great campus community,鈥 says President Ed McCauley. 鈥淗is entrepreneurial spirit and drive to better our community will make him a strong ambassador for the university, our values and an inspiration for future alumni.鈥
Jon Cornish was voted Chancellor-Elect on April 21, and will officially take over the position on July 1, 2022.