You could say that my family was made by McGill when considering the educational path our generations have taken. My journey through McGill University in the late 1960s, my son Josh’s experience in the late 1990s, and my grandson Andy’s current student life in 2023 collectively tell a story of perseverance, family legacy, and the transformative power of education.
My connection to McGill and Canada is deeply rooted. I was born in Poland to parents who were among the very few who survived of over 100 of our nearest relatives murdered in the Holocaust. We spent three years in a displaced persons camp in postwar Europe before we eventually reached the shores of Canada when I was eight years old. My father was a house painter and never had the opportunity to go to university. When I was accepted at McGill, I felt I had been given a chance to shape my life through the power of education. Being accepted into Dentistry allowed me to establish a successful and rewarding career and build a life and support my family. I am grateful to both the University and to Canada, and this reiterated my commitment to service and education.
The opportunity for the three of us to receive such a high level of education and thrive is a testament to our gratitude for McGill, Canada, and our shared heritage.”
My experience at McGill in the late 1960s was transformative. I was shaped by mentors such as former Deans of Dentistry Dr. Ernie Ambrose and Dr. Ken Bentley, who instilled in me the skills and confidence I needed to succeed in my profession. The camaraderie within the class of 1969 was profound, fostering lifelong friendships that continue to support and uplift me today. Following graduation, I went on to become an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. After completing post-doctoral education at Tufts University in Boston, I went on to complete my surgical residency at Cook County Hospital in Chicago. I eventually returned to Canada and ended up in London, Ontario, where I was an assistant professor at Western University for a five-year period after which I opened my own stand-alone surgical facility. At this clinic I was able to continue with my commitment to education by incorporating surgical rotations where students and other surgical residents were provided with opportunities to learn and grow.
The legacy of the Goldberg family at McGill continued with my son Josh, BCom’99. Josh’s decision to attend McGill was influenced by our deep family connection and a belief in the University’s reputation for excellence. This was reaffirmed by the robust education he received, which prepared him for a successful business career in project management and finance, followed later by entrepreneurship. The lessons he learned extended beyond the classroom, importing a sense of community and a readiness for life’s challenges. While Josh was part of a core group of friends that attended McGill together, he also discovered that the community and alumni network provided by McGill were invaluable in navigating the professional world, and he remains today connected to many of his alumni peers. Josh’s decision to follow in my footsteps at McGill filled me with immense pride that I can only describe as naches, a Yiddish word that means the pride and joy of seeing something your children are doing that is good and beneficial.
My grandson Andy is the third generation to attend and represents the evolving nature of the McGill experience. His choice to attend McGill was not only a continuation of the family legacy, but also because of the University’s strong business program and the proximity of our family in Montreal. Andy grew up in Boston and had considered many American universities. Ultimately, his decision to attend the Desautels Faculty of Management was based on the fact that his dad and I were McGill alumni and we emphasized the importance of the University’s reputation and the strong community that came with it. His education at McGill has been marked by a well-rounded curriculum, exposure to diverse perspectives, and opportunities for personal growth. While he embarked on his McGill experience in the early throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, Andy’s resilience and the supportive community around him allowed him to thrive.
Our multi-generational journey at McGill shows how much of an impact this wonderful University has had on our family. The opportunity for the three of us to receive such a high level of education and thrive is a testament to our gratitude for McGill, Canada, and our shared heritage. Throughout the generations, the importance of interpersonal connections stands out, and the relationships we forged within the McGill community provided support, guidance, and friendship. Our family’s connection to McGill reflects a deep appreciation for the education provided, the opportunities gained, and the lifelong bonds formed.