We live in a fast-changing world, one that often seems to value quick reaction over deep reflection. Who has time to slow down in a world where we measure time in tweet- and Instagram-sized chunks?

Certainly we all have to be more nimble and ready to take advantage of short-term opportunities. Like driving along a winding road, you need to follow the twists and turns from minute to minute. That’s reactive thinking, or adapting to the here and now.

But those kinds of opportunities aren’t the only ones that matter. Often the really important issues are bigger and more complex. Defying quick and easy solutions, big problems require us to think longer-term and in more strategic ways.

Reflective thinking rises above the here and now to consider not just what we’re doing but why. Is there a better road to your destination, one that will help you avoid all that white-knuckle steering in the first place?

Feeding our growing world is one of the grand challenges of our day. How will we provide enough food for the nine billion people expected to share this planet by mid-century, all while sustaining the planet’s ecosystems?

We can grow more food, but that’s only part of a much bigger and more complex answer. Relying only on growing more food is reactive thinking, like steering along that winding road.

Reflective thinking is transformative thinking. Finding better routes to our destination will involve transforming how we feed the world.

That’s the point of Food From Thought, a new long-term project at U of G funded by a $77-million investment from the federal government. I invite you to learn about this digital revolution in food and farming systems in this issue of the Portico.

Meeting this century’s pressing food challenge will take the creative efforts of many bright minds. Universities such as the University of Guelph are places where this kind of reflective thinking needs to happen.

It’s food for thought but, more importantly, Food From Thought.

Franco Vaccarino
President and Vice-Chancellor

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1950s

John Dugan, DVM ’54, has received several awards, including a Golden Jubilee Medal, Diamond Jubilee Medal and a St. John Ambulance Service Medal, among others.

1960s

Bruce Hunter, Dipl. ’62, invites OAC class of 1962 members to a 55th reunion during next year’s Alumni Weekend on June 9 and 10, 2017. There will be a class gathering and a dinner banquet at PJ’s Restaurant.

The OAC class of ’62A recently celebrated its 54th reunion.

First row, l-r: Earl Graham, George Johnston, Rae Mahaffy, Harold Foster, Dan Bailey, Bob Murray, Gene Brahaney, Steve Pallet, Elgin Awrey and Bill Batty.
Second row, l-r: Dick Helmer, Jim Sellers, Ross Shantz, Lloyd Meek, Jim McHolm, Stew McCarthy, Eric Steele, Murray Trimble and Gaye Hoskin.
Back row, l-r: Bill McEachern, Mike Wilson, Eric Christensen, Neil McVittie, Barry Connelly, Walt Atkinson, Bill Dykes, Barry Everson and George Maskell.

“Guelph Girls” reunite

(l-r) Karen Kirkland, Julie (Petch) Goldhawk, Karen (Hawrychuk) Myers, Patricia Jamieson, Melissa Dean and Gale (Frizzell) Repta have been getting together for an annual “Guelph Girls” reunion since 2003. They met in 1966 at Wellington College (now the College of Arts). Says Myers, who lives in Eugene, Ore.: “When I fly in every summer, the magic happens all over again and we pick up where we left off last year. But this year is special, marking our 50th anniversary of friendship full of wicked laughter, joy and outrageous fun.”

1970s

Mary Ruston, BA ’75, opened a bed and breakfast called Butterflies Three in the Grand Bend area on Lake Huron.

John Gordon, BA ’76, was inducted into the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame. He has worked as a reporter and editor, and in golf communications for 30 years, and has also authored eight books about golf. Along with a family friend he created the annual Mikey’s Tournament for Autism, which has raised more than $300,000 to support a resource centre for families and children affected by autism.

 Kenneth Anderson, BA ’77, won an international award for a leadership-training program his company, Ken Anderson & Associates, developed for the Ontario Real Estate Association.

1980s

Robb McQueen, B.Sc. ’83, retired as head of guidance at Aldershot School in Burlington, Ont., at the end of June 2016. He and his wife, Sharon, moved to Nova Scotia to enjoy retired life.

Janet Cooper-Webb, BA ’87, is the chef-owner of Orchard House Gourmet, a chef and catering service in Guelph. She also teaches at a culinary college and is a food safety trainer. She says her job is “allowing me to share my experience and love of healthy, local food — I love my work!”

Patrick Dowds, BA ’88, has been an elementary school teacher with the Halton Catholic District School Board for 27 years and recently moved with his family to his hometown of Milton, Ont. He says: “We enjoy visiting the U of G campus at least once a year. It’s so awesome to see how much it has grown since I graduated. Guelph has always had one of the prettiest campuses in Canada.”

Guy Gilron, B.Sc. ’84, M.Sc. ’88, recently completed the directors education program jointly developed by the Institute of Corporate Directors and the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management, and received his ICD.D designation, indicating a commitment to excellence in the boardroom. He is a senior environmental scientist and principal at Borealis Environmental Consulting, serves as a board member for the Canadian Ecotoxicity Workshop and is an editorial board member for an international journal.

1990s

Patrick Lawrence, M.Sc. ’91, has been appointed associate dean (social and behavioural sciences) in the College of Arts and Letters at the University of Toledo, Ohio.

2000s

Adrian Roelands, Dipl. (Agr.) ’03, and his wife, Jodi, have been named Ontario’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2016. They operate Roelands Plant Farms, an expanding greenhouse operation near Forest, Ont.

 Kristen Wallace, BA ’08, got married in February 2016 and completed her master’s degree in higher education and leadership at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto.

Jesse Kirshenbaum, B.Comm. ’10, is co-founder of Bardown Sports, Inc., which creates hockey apparel that is sold in more than 300 stores across North America and Europe. The company also produces apparel for almost every university in Canada, including clothing for the U of G Gryphons.

Kevin Sukhu, M.Sc. ’10, and Sarah Law, B.Sc. ’14, received an award on behalf of their compressed time frame nursing class at a Western University award ceremony. The class won for exemplifying qualities and leadership skills critical to the field of nursing.

Salim Timo, PhD ’13, is an assistant professor with Le Centre INRS–Institut Armand-Frappier, in Laval, Que.

 Stuart Cameron, BA ’16, is enrolled in the University of Toronto’s master of social work program.

Erin Sherwood, B.Sc. ’16, is attending the New York Chiropractor College.

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ALUMNI NEWS

Retailers are always asking for our opinions: How was your shopping experience today? What products do you buy regularly? They use customer surveys to make certain their products and services are relevant and meaningful, and they make changes based on the data they receive.

We’re want to make sure our offerings are relevant and meaningful to alumni and donors. An electronic University of Guelph alumni survey is in the works and will be launched in early 2017. We want to know you better! What type of events do you like to attend: professional development or networking, or both? What group discounts are the most appealing to you? Are there services we should offer to benefit more alumni of all ages?

We’re interested to know what you want from your alma mater and how you prefer to stay connected. Your voice is integral — the survey results will shape our alumni programming, services and offerings. We need to hear from as many of our 140,000 alumni as possible. Please take a moment to update your contact information to ensure your voice is heard.

Stay tuned — we look forward to learning about you. And, of course, you’ll have a chance to win some great prizes!

Brandon Gorman, B.Comm. ’06
President, UGAA

Jason Moreton, BA ’00
Associate Vice-President
Alumni Advancement

FEATURED EVENT

Homecoming

The weather was perfect for U of G’s Homecoming celebrations Sept. 24, as alumni, family and friends gathered to cheer on the Gryphons as the team faced  the Western Mustangs. Despite a disappointing 50-16 loss, the Gryphon spirit was strong thanks to a sold-out crowd. Other highlights included a live band and a food truck zone.

The University of Guelph Alumni Association hosted a sold-out pre-game party at Brass Taps in the University Centre with more than 150 alumni in attendance. For only $25 attendees enjoyed a burger-bar lunch, alumni swag and a ticket for the football game.

The Gryphon/Redmen football reunion was also held on during Homecoming. Football alumni attended a dinner at Creelman Hall, toured the new athletics facilities and attended the game. Eight members of the 1966 Redmen team attended a reunion to celebrate their 50th anniversary. The 1996 Gryphons also marked a milestone, celebrating their 20th anniversary.

ALUMNI EVENT

Alumni go out to the ball game

In August, more than 400 alumni and friends cheered on the Toronto Blue Jays as they took on the Tampa Bay Rays. The sold-out event — the second of its kind for the 2016 season — included a pre-game reception, an alumni rally towel and a game ticket. Stay tuned for another baseball event in the 2017 season.

RENOVATED MACDONALD HALL OPENS

The renovated Macdonald Hall – the new home of the College of Business and Economics – opened in October. Macdonald Hall was built in 1904 and originally served as a women’s residence. Along with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the refurbished building, a heritage wall and plaque were also unveiled. Members from the Mac class of 1964, below, were on hand at the event.

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