U of G research, innovations and ideas

Alumni matters

ALUMNI NEWS

A generous and inspirational community

The world as we know it has changed. Alumni Association issued a matching challenge, Social interactions, business practices and you responded – resulting in almost $30,000 and everyday living bear no resemblance in support of the campus food bank. In total, our to life before COVID-19. All of you, appeals for emergency student support this year our alumni family, have been deeply affected by raised $84,000. More recently, $350,000 for the burdens of the pandemic. While the reality student awards was donated and doubled by the of 2020 is hard to comprehend – a global University’s Awards Matching Program. You have pandemic, racist acts, economic upheaval, responded with the utmost care, kindness and wildfires – we’re proud that many of our generous support during a time of great need for graduates continue to embrace our students. Thank you. the University of Guelph’s University of Guelph You inspire us – we continue shared purpose to Improve Life. Alumni Association issued to hear about alumni bringing

Sunny Nakra, B.Comm. ’18, a matching challenge, and food to others, donating and Samuel Boylan-Sajous were you responded – resulting in personal protective equipment, inspired to create a Black Lives almost $30,000 in support making masks for others, Matter app to empower and of the campus food bank. pivoting your businesses to educate the world about Black respond to the unique dehistory, slavery and segregation. Lang School mands of the pandemic and providing financial alumnus Tony D’Amato Stortz, B.Comm. ’20, support to those in need. Your response speaks used his extra time during the pandemic to build volumes about how much you care. Thank you gardens for his neighbours to alleviate food-driven for meeting U of G’s call to action. You Improve anxiety while giving back to his community. And Life every day and we are beyond proud of our Anne-Marie Connor, MA ’04, who was already alumni family. battling Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo when COVID-19 erupted, was offered a flight home in April but gave up her seat to someone else.

Despite uncertain circumstances, our alumni Christina Crowley-Arklie, B.Comm. ’09, community stepped in to help Improve Life for President, UGAA, and proud donor to U of G students during #GivingTuesdayNow in May. With students in need of funding for food and Jason Moreton, BA ’00, Associate Vice-President, emergency relief, the University of Guelph Alumni Advancement, and proud donor to U of G

COMING EVENTS

In-person events have been cancelled due to the pandemic, but we are transitioning some of these to online delivery.

We are also excited to offer new virtual events for U of G alumni, including a range of learning opportunities.

Visit www. alumni. uoguelph.ca/ events for current event information and registration.

ALUMNI PERKS

CAA

Take advantage of an exclusive CAA Corporate Membership offer available to all U of G graduates! Use code University of Guelph Alumni upon booking.

The Burger’s Priest

Enjoy a 15% discount off meals at The Burger’s Priest location in Stone Road Mall, Guelph! Offer valid at this location only.

Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory

U of G alumni and their families can save up to 20% off regular admission rates at the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory!

At the 2017 Alumni Jays game

ALUMNI EVENTS

Aggie Week 1996

Alumni Jays contest

The U of G Alumni Jays Game is a popular annual event that attracts hundreds of attendees. Although the game was cancelled due to the pandemic, alumni participated online by posting photos and reminiscing about meet-ups in Toronto.

Smiling faces with the Gryphon statue

FEATURED EVENT

Spring 1968 at Lambton Hall

Virtual alumni week

The annual Alumni and Reunion Weekend was scheduled for June 19-21, but when the University closed in response to provincial emergency orders, a virtual Alumni Week was planned to reconnect U of G grads. An Alumni Week hub was created for the web, including a message from then president Franco Vaccarino, links to video campus tours and an invitation to the University of Guelph Alumni Association’s online annual general meeting. Contests on social channels called for alumni to submit “throwback” photos of their time on campus and to connect with other grads online.

We continue to monitor provincial guidelines as we plan for 2021 and will provide details at alumni.uoguelph.ca as they become available.

Virtual run

A series of virtual 5-kilometre runs was held over the summer. Alumni were challenged to run, walk or bike the distance and share their progress on Instagram. Almost 100 alumni participated over three weekends, with registration fees designated to support athletic scholarships.

A 5K run drew various participants, from Sonja Missio (back) to Scott McRoberts, director of athletics, with his two children.