George Melville, chairman and owner of Boston Pizza International, has been appointed the next chancellor of Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU), a position he will assume in October.
The long-time Lower Mainland resident and inductee into the B.C. Business Hall of Fame was nominated by KPU’s alumni association and appointed by the university’s board of governors for his professional and philanthropic achievements, commitment to community and valuable service to KPU.
“My connection to Kwantlen Polytechnic University goes back over 25 years and includes roles as a KPU parent, a KPU board member and, most recently, an honorary KPU degree recipient,” said Melville. “I am very pleased to take on this new opportunity as chancellor and look forward to representing the students, the faculty, the staff and the community supporters of KPU in the years ahead.”
Well-known for his professional successes with the T&M Group of Companies – which brings in sales of over $1 billion per year – Melville has continuously been committed to giving back to KPU’s communities, region and country through his considerable philanthropic efforts.
Alongside business partner and fellow restaurateur Jim Treliving, Dr. Melville founded the Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects (originally the Boston Pizza Foundation) in 1990, which has since raised and donated over $18 million to Canadian charities.
Boston Pizza and Melville’s charitable efforts have benefitted local chapters of Canadian organizations such as Boys & Girls Club of Canada, as well as the BC Cancer and Rick Hansen foundations. He has also taken a hands-on role in his initiatives, personally participating in events that include the Walk to Cure Diabetes, and the annual Boston Pizza Foundation Invitational Charity Golf Tournament.
“We are delighted and honoured that George has agreed to be KPU’s next chancellor,” said Shane King, chair of KPU’s board of governors. “George’s sterling reputation will make him a fabulous ambassador for KPU. He has strong ties to our communities and to KPU, and I know he will make a tremendous contribution to the university during what promises to be a very exciting time.”
Beginning in 2003, Melville was a member of KPU’s board of governors for six years, during which time he held various leadership roles. As chairperson of the audit committee, he helped guide KPU during its transition from a community college into a university – a designation that has given KPU students access to a broad range of programs and university degrees, has increased research opportunities and has given students greater access to graduate programs.
In 2012 he and his wife Sylvia donated $500,000 – the largest donation to KPU’s Richmond campus at the time – to create the Melville Centre for Dialogue. The facility, fitted with the latest technology, has provided student, research and community groups the space to discuss, debate and collaborate in Richmond.
For over 30 years, Melville has worked, lived and raised his family in KPU’s communities. Both of his now-grown children attended KPU, where he himself was awarded an honorary degree in 2013.
For more information, photos and a video about George Melville, visit KPU’s chancellor page.
