Born in Orangeville, Ontario in 1923, Ross M. Cruikshank served in the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1942 to 1945 and received his Bachelor of Applied Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Toronto in 1948.
In addition to a distinguished career at Bell Canada, from which he retired as assistant vice-president in 1983, Cruikshank has been active in community and charity volunteer work in Ottawa, particularly in the fields of health and higher education.
Cruikshank served on Carleton’s Board of Governors from 1980 to 1991 and was Chair from 1987 to 1989. In addition to serving on the Board’s finance and building program committees, Cruikshank was vice-chair of the university’s $30 million Challenge Fund Campaign from 1987 to 1992, and chaired the Challenge Fund Steering Committee. He is a long-standing member of the Associates of Carleton and the President’s Advisory Council in Ottawa.
Cruikshank has distinguished himself by his dedication and gracious willingness to give of his time and support. Carleton presented him with the Founders Award for his outstanding contribution to the advancement of the university in 1996.
