When the Class of Arts鈥53 was in need of a person to organize their Homecoming reunions, Jim Craig, Arts鈥53, answered the call. 鈥淢y three years at Queen鈥檚 (as a student) changed my outlook on life, so my feelings for Queen鈥檚 are extremely strong. Somebody had to step up and take charge,鈥 says Mr. Craig.
Since making the decision to get involved back in 1953, Mr. Craig has brought his classmates back to campus to reconnect with each other, with students, and the university they still love. This month he was recognized for his more than six decades of service to his alma mater as he was one of nine alumni and students to receive for their work with Queen鈥檚 Department of Alumni Relations & Annual Giving.
The nine recipients are being honoured at various ceremonies across Ontario, including May 1 in Kingston. The other honorees are Johanne Blansche, NSc鈥88, Rowan Cress, Artsci鈥17, Alzira D鈥橲ouza, Artsci鈥82, Sarah Hanson, Artsci鈥19, George Jackson, Artsci鈥85, Colin McLeod, Artsci鈥10, Jeremy Mosher, Artsci鈥08, and Amey Zhang, Artsci鈥19.
Mr. Craig was honoured to be recognized at a ceremony in Toronto on April 10.
鈥漄ueen鈥檚 is in our blood. The Craigs are steeped in Queen鈥檚 tradition,鈥 says Mr. Craig. Four generations of Craigs have graced the halls in Kingston 鈥 including Mr. Craig鈥檚 father, two uncles, two cousins, his wife, son and three granddaughters. His daughter, Wendy Craig, did not study here, but is now a professor in the psychology department and one of Canada鈥檚 leading experts on bullying.
Mr. Craig is one of over 1,300 people who help organize class reunions. Sarah Indewey, Queen鈥檚 Associate Director of Alumni & Volunteer Relations, says volunteers like Mr. Craig play a vital role at the university.
鈥淗omecoming reunions and alumni branch events couldn鈥檛 happen without the hard work of countless alumni volunteers. Queen鈥檚 is grateful to the hundreds of alumni who continue to give back to the university many years after they have graduated,鈥 says Ms. Indewey.
To learn about how you can get involved, visit our .
