By Nazia Habiba
Glendon College alumnus John A. Olah (BA ’70, JD ’73) and his family have established a $100,000 endowment to support students seeking to expand their academic horizons through international study.
When John Olah first stepped into Glendon Hall in the 1970s, he was unsure of where his life and his education would lead. What began as a tentative start evolved into a lifelong connection with Glendon College.
"In high school, I was an average student. I didn’t see my potential," he recalls. "But when I arrived at Glendon, it opened my eyes to big ideas and a much larger universe. I discovered my interests, my potential—I realized I could contribute."
It was Glendon’s collaborative and holistic approach to education that nurtured John’s mind, body, and spirit. He credits the college with instilling in him a ‘fire in the belly’ mentality and recalls the lasting influence of professors like Sidney Goldberg, who inspired his pursuit of justice, and Dean George Tatum, who taught him the importance of building fitness and wellness into a balanced life.
"Glendon instilled an important life lesson in me," John says. "To try to be a Renaissance person, someone who embraces a broad view of life, not just academically, but culturally and physically as well."
John and his wife, Annie, share a philosophy of giving forged by formative experiences. John’s family fled Hungary during the 1956 Russian invasion, while Annie grew up in post-war Hong Kong. Both found freedom and opportunity in Canada, a country that welcomed them with open arms and allowed them to fulfill their dreams. That sense of gratitude now fuels their desire to give back.
In 2025, the Olah family established the Olah Family International Study Award, an endowed bursary that will provide financial support to third- and fourth-year Glendon students participating in study-abroad programs in France, Belgium, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom.
"This donation is, in part, a tribute to my parents," John says. "They made the courageous and difficult decision to leave everything behind in Hungary and start anew in this wonderful country. Their sacrifice laid the foundation for the opportunities my family and I have been fortunate to enjoy. It is also a tribute to my late beautiful wife, Annie, whose love, never ending support and encouragement made this award possible.”
The award is a true family effort. John’s brother, Andrew, and a cousin have also contributed to the bursary, reinforcing the family’s shared commitment to global education.
"We are deeply grateful to John Olah for his generous support of Glendon students through this new endowed award," says Glendon College Principal Marco Fiola. "His gift not only honours the spirit of global education that defines Glendon, but it also directly supports students who wish to study abroad in leading institutions. This is a lasting investment in our students’ potential and in the future of public service and law in Canada and beyond."
Launching in the 2026–2027 academic year, the Olah Family International Study Award reflects John’s belief that exposure to diverse cultures and philosophies is essential to developing informed, thoughtful democratic leaders. It will empower students to broaden their worldview through study at some of the world’s greatest learning institutions.