Sheridan announces creation of the Pilon School of Business

Today, Sheridan unveiled the Pilon School of Business in recognition of a $2.5 million gift to Sheridan from alumnus Randy Pilon and his wife Catherine.

This is the largest personal donation to Sheridan in the college’s history. The gift was announced as Sheridan launches the $9 million Get Creative fundraising campaign in support of the Hazel McCallion Campus expansion. The announcement took place during a special groundbreaking celebration, attended by The Honourable Reza Moridi, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities and Minister of Research and Innovation; Mayor Hazel McCallion; and other dignitaries and guests.

Randy Pilon, CEO of Virox Technologies Inc. is a 1982 graduate of Sheridan’s business program. Pilon credits his time at the college with laying the foundation for his success in both the corporate world and later as an entrepreneur. After graduating from Sheridan, Pilon joined Bausch & Lomb, where he rose through the ranks to become the company’s youngest Vice President. In 1998, he founded Virox Technologies Inc., which is today recognized as a global leader in hydrogen peroxide-based infection control products.

“I want students to realize what is possible,” he said, in describing the motivation for his gift. “There are many entrepreneurs who were born on third base and think they hit a triple. I started from scratch and worked really hard to get to where I am today. I hope my story will serve as an inspiration to future generations of Sheridan business students.”

“The Sheridan community is very proud of Randy’s success, and extremely grateful for his generous support and ongoing commitment,” said Dr. Jeff Zabudsky, Sheridan President and CEO. Pilon has served on the college’s Board of Governors, delivered lectures and Convocation keynote addresses, and has for the past eight years sponsored the Virox Future Forum – a one-day seminar for budding student entrepreneurs. He was inducted into Sheridan’s Business Hall of Fame in 2006.

The Pilon School of Business is the new name of Sheridan’s Faculty of Business, which is based at the Hazel McCallion Campus and offers a range of degree, diploma and post-graduate certificate programs. Pilon hopes that the newly-named School will continue to build on its record of success: “I would love to see the Pilon School of Business become the go-to place for talent simply based on the quality of graduates it produces.”