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Celebrating the inaugural G. Raymond Chang Outstanding Volunteer Awards

New event honours the many people who give back
June 13, 2017
From left: Nathan Battersby, Dennis McCormac and Reeda Mahmood

Photo: Outstanding volunteer Dennis McCormac (centre) with students Nathan Battersby and Reeda Mahmood.

On Tuesday June 20, Ryerson University will say “thank you” to some of the many volunteers who help make Ryerson tick.

The first annual G. Raymond Chang Outstanding Volunteer Awards program is being launched to recognize the many ways that volunteers contribute to life and learning on campus and beyond. They serve as mentors, advisors, fundraisers, ambassadors, organizers, ticket sellers, greeters, guest speakers, and in many other capacities that help make the university great. Their work and service contributes to the spirit of community at Ryerson, and boosts the university’s reputation as a top destination for learning, innovation, entrepreneurism and so much more.

The awards are named in honour of the late G. Raymond Chang, former chancellor of Ryerson University, for his deep belief in the importance of volunteering. Chang awarded nearly 30,000 Ryerson degrees and diplomas at 95 convocation ceremonies. It was one of his favourite things to do and expressed the way he embraced his role as “the students’ Chancellor.” As a consummate volunteer, Chang shared in the excitement as Ryerson took the innovation and entrepreneurship agenda to new heights and set out on a trajectory of unprecedented growth.

In all, 57 people will be recognized at the inaugural awards ceremony. Among them are former staff members like Vi Bull, alumni like Ronald Besse (Business Management ’60), and friends like Harry Rosen.

Tom Kaszas will be there to receive an award. Active on the Board of Advisors of Ryerson Urban Water, he provides feedback on research projects and, among several other roles, is a frequent guest speaker, supportive mentor, and judge for student case competitions.

Ryerson will also recognize Sue Williams, who shares her strategic insight and advice as a member of the Faculty of Community Services Dean’s Advisory Council. She is a regular guest speaker at Ryerson, and has led the procession of the FCS graduating class in convocation ceremonies over the past 10 years.

Dennis McCormac too will be among those honoured. He has volunteered as a mentor, panellist and speaker with the RySci Match mentorship program, served as a judge in the Chemistry and Biology Challenge, been a panellist for the Science Cafe exploration into GMO Foods, and much more. He even helped our students build the world's longest model of a DNA strand.

From the faculties to the alumni groups, from Athletics to the Zones, these outstanding volunteers are enriching the educational experience at Ryerson University.

For a full list of the 2017 recipients, please visit the awards web page.

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