Robert Gillespie’s legacy: the academic skills centre he needed as a student
Apr 17, 2026
Students and facilitators at the Robert Gillespie Academic Skills Centre. Pictured, left to right: Kenya Kelly, Jasleen Narula, Dua Khan and Alexandra Maracz.
When the late Robert (Bob) Gillespie was a university student in Edinburgh, Scotland, he would have done anything to get more help to build his academic skills.
“I had a rather ragged academic background,” Gillespie said. “I attended an engineering co-op program, so I was working as an apprentice and going to night school and sometimes day school. I found it tough sledding, partly because of a lack of mentoring, but also because I was isolated from other students. Studying mathematics on my own was not an easy process, and it wasn’t much fun.”
Supporting the kind of centre he wished he had
Despite the challenges, Gillespie completed the program and went on to become a professional engineer. After immigrating to Canada and settling in Mississauga in the 1950s, he began a lifelong career with General Electric Canada (GE), eventually retiring as its CEO in 2005.
He wanted to create opportunities for students that he wished he’d had — he so believed in the importance of preparing students for success in their professional and personal lives.
Together with his wife, Irene, Gillespie witnessed the growth of Mississauga and became increasingly aware of U of T Mississauga (UTM)’s importance to the city. So when GE invited Gillespie to designate a charitable gift in honour of his retirement, he chose to generously support the Robert Gillespie Academic Skills Centre (RGASC).
Bob and Irene worked closely with UTM to build the kind of centre he wished he’d had as a student: one focused on mentorship, encouragement and practical academic guidance. They made an initial gift and continued to champion the centre with annual contributions.
He wanted to create opportunities for students that he wished he’d had — he so believed in the importance of preparing students for success in their professional and personal lives.
A bequest to continue strenghtening the RGASC
Bob Gillespie passed away in 2024, just shy of his 93rd birthday, and left a bequest in his will to continue to support the centre. He wanted to create opportunities for students that he wished he’d had – he so believed in the importance of preparing students for success in their professional and personal lives.
The centre was a cherished part of his legacy. He was always eager to drop in and speak directly with the students and took great pride in watching the impact of his gift in real life; to see students benefitting from the support he lacked was beyond meaningful.
A remarkable success story
Gillespie’s catalytic philanthropy has facilitated a welcoming place where students and faculty can seek assistance, find mentorship and access resources that make university life more manageable. Through programming designed to help students enhance their academic skills and succeed in both their studies and their professional lives after graduation, the centre has become an important resource behind countless student success stories.
Kenya Kelly participated in the Facilitated Study Group (FSG) program at the centre and is an FSG leader now, helping students who struggled like she did. “As a Black, female first-generation student from a low socioeconomic background, I faced many unexpected challenges,” she says.
“FSG provided a space to develop study habits, approach difficult material and regain confidence in my abilities.” Given the program’s impact on her academic journey, Kelly wanted to give back as a leader, supporting students in courses she once struggled with herself. “It allowed me to guide them with empathy and understanding,” she says.
The centre provided a space to develop study habits, approach difficult material and regain confidence in my abilities.
Gillespie’s legacy gift will help ensure the RGASC’s work remains sustainable for years to come. “Supporting the centre long into the future is deeply important to our family,” says Irene. “We want to help create an environment where students feel supported.”
The centre provided a space to develop study habits, approach difficult material and regain confidence in my abilities.
To find out more about how to donate through your will, please reach out to Michelle Osborne at michelle.osborne@utoronto.ca or click on the button below.
