The Honourable David Crombie, P.C. was born in Toronto in 1936. He was educated at Western University and the University of Toronto, earning his BA and LLD (Hons.). He worked at Ryerson as a lecturer in Politics and Urban Affairs and as Director of Student Services from 1962 to 1971. In 1969, Crombie was elected as an Alderman for the City of Toronto and, from 1972 to 1978, served as the City's mayor and as Commissioner of Toronto Hydro (1973-1978). As Mayor, Crombie upheld and advocated for a philosophy of community-based urban development pioneered by Urban Studies scholar and activist Jane Jacobs. In 1978, Crombie was elected to the Canadian House of Commons as a Member for Rosedale and was re-elected in 1979, 1980, and 1984. He served as Minister of National Health and Welfare (1979-1984), Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (1984-1986), and Secretary of State and Minister of Multiculturalism (1986-1988). He resigned from Parliament on May 31, 1988 and was appointed Commissioner of the Royal Commission of the Future on the Toronto Waterfront. In 1992, he was appointed Commissioner of the Waterfront Regeneration Trust Agency. He received a fellowship from Ryerson in 1993. In 1994, Crombie returned to Ryerson as its first Chancellor after the Institute was granted university status. He held the position of Chancellor until 1999. In addition to his political duties, Crombie served as CEO of the Canadian Urban Institute, Director of the Laidlaw Foundation, Board Member of Pollution Probe, Chair of the Terry Fox Hall of Fame, and Board Member of the Canadian Merit Scholarship Trust Fund. In 2012, he was inducted into the Order of Ontario and, in 2014, into the Order of Canada.