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University of Guelph community members walking on campus

University of Guelph Choir Presents Considering Matthew Shepard in Tribute to LGBTQ2IA+ Community

On Saturday, April 5, the University of Guelph Choirs, in collaboration with the College of Arts and the School of Fine Art and Music, will present “Considering Matthew Shepard,” an oratorio by Craig Hella Johnson, at Harcourt Memorial United Church in Guelph. The performance, featuring U of G Choirs, Alumni soloists Lesley Bouza, soprano, and Jordan Scholl, bass, and the Guelph Chamber Players orchestra, will follow a pre-concert discussion at 7:45 p.m. that invites audience members to engage with the work's themes of justice, compassion and remembrance. 

Dr. Gus Skorburg, associate professor of Philosophy and academic co-director of the Centre for Advancing Responsible and Ethical Artificial Intelligence, speaks to attendees at the Second Annual Guelph Regional High School Ethics Bowl in the auditorium in the College of Arts in the MacKinnon Building at the University of Guelph on February 8, 2025.

Supporting Meaningful Ethical Conversations at the 2025 Ethics Bowl

On Saturday, February 8, the Department of Philosophy in the College of Arts at the University of Guelph hosted the Second Annual Guelph Regional High School Ethics Bowl, bringing together 13 high school teams from across the Greater Toronto Area for a day of thoughtful and animated ethical debate and discussion.

MFA Community Update

While our ever-growing 200+ alum makes it impossible to keep track of all of the MFA community achievements, here are some of the highlights from the last year or so. Many congratulations to those who’ve published books throughout the last half of 2023 and into 2024.
You can learn more and order books directly through the links provided here, in the author’s names.

Black History Month

Black History Month in the College of Arts: Advocating, Celebrating, and Encouraging

The College of Arts at the University of Guelph looks forward to engaging in events and activities to honour and observe Black History Month and this year's theme, "Resist. Reclaim. Restore!" This theme, selected by the Black History Month Planning Committee (see full list of committee members below), honours the resilience and strength of the Black community.

Left to right: Simon Flint, costume coordinator for the Theatre Studies program in the College of Arts at the University of Guelph, Sara Laidlaw, long-time U of G supporter, Bill Laidlaw, long-time U of G supporter and College of Arts Alumnus (Bachelor of Arts, 1974), and Katie Bryant, fourth year U of G student pursuing an Honours Bachelor of Arts program with a Double Major in Theatre Studies and Vocal Music

The Choices of a Few can Improve the Lives of Many

Though the University of Guelph community is vast, each and every individual within it has the ability to drive positive change. Thanks to a $100,000 donation from long-time U of G supporters Sara and Bill Laidlaw (Bill is a College of Arts Alumnus, BA ’74), the College faculty, staff, and students in the performing arts programs, and supporters of the programs, can continue to elevate the importance of community and the arts by nurturing unbreakable bonds, amplifying creativity, and bringing light into others’ lives.