Nipissing University and Canadore College are recognizing MPP Vic Fedeli and his family for their long-standing support of education over the years. A shared campus courtyard near the Harris Learning Library is being named the Fedeli Family Park -- a new sign and name were unveiled Oct. 9. “This is a place where people can think about their dreams,” Fedeli told reporters Friday morning. “The university and the college, they’ll give you the tools to make those dreams come true. But this will be a really great spot for people just to sit and think about their future.” The schools said that over the years, the Fedeli family has supported numerous initiatives that have expanded opportunities for students and strengthened access to education. Institutions coming together The courtyard is often used by students, faculty and other staff as a gathering space for anyone who needs a short break in between classes and to enjoy the natural beauty of the shared campus. “This is really about two institutions coming together and it’s about a family in the community that has been all about the success of the North Bay region for generations,” said Kevin Wamsley, Nipissing University’s president and vice-chancellor. The family made a $250,000 donation to the Harris Learning Library years ago, but the recognition was put off for a long time due to Fedeli’s busy schedule. But he was finally able to find the time. “I said, ‘Yeah, let’s do something beautiful outside and something peaceful,’” Fedeli said. He recalled that in 1978, he returned home to open his own advertising firm, ‘Fedeli Advertising,’ the first ad agency north of Toronto. He had just quit his job at an ad agency in London. Both of his parents -- Lena, now aged 93, and his late father Hub -- were upset with his decision. For the first six months after he opened, the agency struggled to and had no clients. Then the university called asking for some marketing work and the school signed a massive contract with Fedeli. “Even by today’s standards it would still be seen as huge,” Fedeli said. Started design agency After that, Canadore provided “highly qualified, well-trained people” who became his employees. Fedeli credits both schools for saving his business. Since then, the family has been supportive of both post-secondary schools. “It was just one of those stories. So, we’ve been giving back to the university and to the college, decade after decade,” he said. The Fedeli family estimates they’ve donated about $2 million to educational institutions, the North Bay Regional Health Centre, the Nipissing Serenity Hospice and other groups and agencies in the city and region. “This story will continue to be told on their belief in the power of education to change lives,” said Sandra Efu, president and CEO of Canadore College. “We are so humbled to be part of this announcement.” Both schools have other locations named after the Fedeli family. The Vittorio Fedeli Business Centre, named after Vic’s grandfather, serves as Nipissing University’s signature lecture facility. The Hub Fedeli Lecture Hall, named after his father, serves as Canadore’s School of Aviation’s lone lecture hall. Fedeli offered some advice to the next generation of entrepreneurs. “You have to make that commitment. You can’t give up. You just dig. You find the ways to make it happen,” he said. “You’re making these tough decisions in life or in business or for me, in politics.”
