Alumni of Distinction Award Renamed to Honour Alumnus and Blood Donor Advocate Brian Fraser

Posted on Thursday, September 23rd, 2021

OTTAWA (September 23, 2021) – Algonquin College is pleased to announce that one of its annual Alumni of Distinction Awards is being renamed the Brian Fraser Recent Graduate Award in honour of Brian Fraser, a 2016 graduate from the Broadcasting – Radio program. Brian garnered national attention for his advocacy for blood donations before passing away at the age of 26 from leukemia in February, 2021.

Despite a career cut short, Brian achieved significant professional success as a technical producer for CFRA’s “The Morning Rush with Bill Carroll.” His passion for and extensive knowledge of professional and minor sports leagues fast tracked his aspirations to work in sports broadcasting. Embodying Algonquin College’s mission, he began to transform his hopes and dreams for success into a reality before even graduating from Algonquin College. As a student, he was already working at CFRA. His mother Sheila Fraser says, “He was still in the early stages of his career with Bill Carroll’s show. He was just getting started. Had things gone differently, with his personality and his knowledge, who knows what more he might have achieved.”

The award’s renaming serves as a lasting tribute to Brian for exemplifying the College’s values of caring and integrity. Despite the fact that he faced a serious illness, he found the strength to invest in the wellness of others and speak his truth by promoting the need for blood donations. His efforts drew national attention. For example, shortly after being diagnosed in 2019, he promoted Blood Cancer Awareness Month in a video he posted on Twitter, which garnered nearly 200,000 views. In March, 2020, in an interview on CTV News, he reminded the public of the ongoing need for blood donations despite the pandemic. Following the interview, the Canadian Blood Services website received so much traffic it crashed.

Equally important, Brian is being recognized for exemplifying one of the College’s core values of learning. Following a rough start to his studies, which were impeded by ADHD, he persevered. He was supported in his journey through the encouragement of faculty mentors and the guidance of Student Success Specialists. According to Mark Savenkoff, Vice President, Advancement, “The support Brian received, and the successes this translated into, exemplifies the College’s commitment to a supportive, learner-driven culture.” Once he graduated, he paid this support forward by returning to campus to guest lecture and support learning for others following in his footsteps.

As Brian continued to promote blood donations while battling leukemia, he received an outpouring of support from professional sports figures at the highest levels, including Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri, NFL quarterback Drew Brees, and the Team Canada World Juniors roster. After his passing, the Ottawa Senators opened a practice with a stick salute in tribute and wore decals on their helmets featuring the letters “BF” and a drop of blood when hosting a game with the Calgary Flames. The game opened with a moment of silence in his honour. CFRA ran a six-minute emotional tribute by his colleagues, which included messages by Jim Watson, Mayor of the City of Ottawa and Pierre Poilievre Member of Parliament for Carleton.

Algonquin College is honoured to add to these many accolades. A news feature has been posted about Brian’s life. At the Fifth-Annual Alumni of Distinction Awards, held virtually this year on September 30, the Brian Fraser Recent Graduate Award will be awarded to Carl Clergé.

Media Contacts:

Chris Lackner
Communications Manager
Algonquin College
Phone: 613-727-4723 ext. 2091
lacknec@algonquincollege.com

Sara-Lynne Levine
Communications Officer
Phone 613-986-5437
levines2@algonquincollege.com


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