Creating a Legacy in Music Industry Arts

The Fanshawe College Foundation has established a fund to recognize the excellence and contribution made to the Music Industry Arts program by Jack Richardson.

Having mentored and trained many of the industry's leaders across North America, Jack Richardson is an icon in Canadian music. As a record producer, he is perhaps best known for producing the biggest hit records from The Guess Who from 1969 to 1975. The Juno Award for "Producer of the Year" has been named in Richardson's honour since 2002.

Jack Richardson in the early days

Also a former faculty member in Fanshawe's Music Industry Arts program, Richardson inspired students to be knowledgeable and ahead of emerging trends and technologies in the music industry. Richardson's lifelong involvement with music has shaped the successful careers of many including producers Stu Brawley and Kevin Doyle; television's Survivorman star, Les Stroud and singer-songwriter Emm Gryner.

To continue Jack Richardson's legacy of innovation and creativity in a meaningful way, Fanshawe College has established The Jack Richardson Music Industry Arts Fund. MIA grad and now Fanshawe College Alumni Officer Michael Wickett is happy to support The Jack Richardson Music Industry Arts Fund. Michael points out that his education will continue to benefit him throughout his career and life, saying that "The Music Industry Arts program is an outstanding and unique program that provided me with an extraordinary educational experience and prepared me to do anything. I had the privilege of learning from instructors like Jack Richardson who have an unparalleled depth of experience and knowledge to pass on."

Contributions to the Fund will help provide scholarships for new talent, keep a technical edge and up-to-date resources and facilities, promote professional development for faculty and develop alumni and industry networks.