“Service About Self”
There’s something in the University of Guelph water, they say. Image Source.
There are certain times when I’m at an event (especially in the times we’re now living through) that make me feel something — and feel something different — where I’m moved in a different way, if you will. You know that feeling.
I knew it as I was standing amongst an incredible group of people last weekend as a member of our University of Guelph Alumni Association Board of Directors, celebrating the 2022 University of Guelph Awards of Excellence winners. This annual event held at the University of Guelph, had been on-pause in-person while the pandemic took hold the last two years.
With the Art Gallery of Guelph as the perfect, intimate backdrop to celebrate, the right ambience, conversation and delicious food (it’s U of G, we’re the ‘food school’, only the best food, right?! 😉), the night allowed us to celebrate our three winners for 2022 — Dr. Elizabeth (Betsy) McGregor, C.M., DVM ’87 our Alumni of Honour winner, Dwight E. Greer, B.Sc. (Agr.) ’72 our Alumni Volunteer Award winner, and N. Charles Hamilton, B.Sc. ’14, our Young Alumni Award winner.
Watching their videos and listening firsthand to their heartfelt stories in accepting their awards — in why they chose the path they did, what differences they’ve made, how they’ve contributed in the way they have and continue too, the people who impacted them, and how it all leads back to their time at the University of Guelph — left the room feeling moved (there were tears!) and simply inspired.
What is always talked about, for those whose alma mater is the University of Guelph (hello fellow Gryphons 👋) or are connected/associated through the U of Guelph community, is about that ‘Guelph-ism’ — that something we can’t quite find a word for. Something in the water if you will.
What I left feeling last Saturday night, after hearing the heartfelt stories of the three incredible winners and proud U of G alumni, was an idea that I think serves the reason why we chose U of Guelph in the first place and the people who are cultivated coming out of the institution —
Because of ‘service above self.’
THIS is what I realized IS what makes these people different, our award winners. All the amazing people I’ve met at and through Guelph.
(Have I used ‘amazing’ and ‘incredible’ enough already?! 😜)
‘Service about self.’
THIS is what the University of Guelph is all about — it’s the type of community that is planted, the culture that is cultivated and ultimately, the people that are harvested.
THIS is what makes U of G alumni, graduates, community members, alma mater members and staff embody a certain way of life and BE the people they are — because of that value of ‘service above self.’
THAT is what makes U of G alumni, graduates, community members, alma mater members and staff embody a certain way of life and BE the people they are — because of that value of ‘service above self.’
In today’s day and age, this is paramount.
It’s why I feel like I run into good-hearted ‘Guelph’ people everywhere I seem to go — in agriculture + food, in politics, in activism, in whatever sector — across Canada and around the world.
Somehow, all good people’s paths lead us back to Guelph.
It’s because of the truly incredible people that put ‘service above self.’
As our 2022 award winners have shown, and the previous award winners who joined us last weekend too, it’s how they embody the University of Guelph’s sole purpose to improve life, that they do through ‘service above self.’
I couldn’t be more proud to be a Guelph Gryphon this week and have ways in which we do, to honour the fellow Gryphons who are amazing human beings doing incredible things.
Betsy, Dwight and Charles — thank you for the beautiful reminder at a time we need it the most. Here’s to following your lead.
Here’s to improving life, through service above self.
The 2022 University of Guelph Awards of Excellence winners with our University of Guelph Alumni Association Board members and University staff and President Charlotte Yates. Image Source.
