Whether they’re mentoring the next generation, rallying their classmates behind a cause, or providing leadership for the University worldwide, volunteers are critical to McGill’s success. And this year, like every year, volunteer leaders were a testament to the strength of the McGill network.
Applause for volunteer events
From lectures at the Library, to private dinners and virtual salons, McGill events celebrate and support our community – and many wouldn’t happen without tireless volunteer hosts and organizers.
And while we applaud them all, one event got a literal standing ovation: an October 2019 concert by the McGill Symphony Orchestra featuring music composed and arranged by two McGill alumni, all in support of the Schulich School of Music.
The lead volunteer was Donald Johnston, BCL’58, BA’60, LLD’03, former federal cabinet minister and past Secretary-General of the OECD. One thing not on his impressive resume is a degree from Schulich, but that hasn’t stopped the lifelong music lover from becoming a key supporter. “When I was a student at McGill, I was hardly aware of the [School], and now I hear from everybody how good it is. I thought I’d like to help…Life wouldn’t be very interesting without music.”
Now, thanks to his efforts, the School has launched a new campaign to help purchase performance materials for its instrumental and vocal ensembles. The campaign has raised close to $75,000 including through the MGSO concert, which included “Montreal, Montréal,” one of Johnston’s own compositions, arranged specially for the event by Marc Beaulieu, BMus’80, MMus’97.
Coming together to reimagine the McGill Library
With 275,000 alumni living in 185 countries worldwide, the McGill community is truly international. And around the globe, the University is lucky to count on the support of its Regional Advisory Boards, made up of volunteers who help strengthen McGill’s presence, expand its networks and fundraising capacity, and foster a greater sense of community in their regions. Over 100 dedicated board volunteers bring a piece of McGill to cities around the globe – and provide support for the University’s third-century vision.
For the U.S. East Coast board, this has meant putting their heads together to support the brainiest spot of all: the McGill Library. In January 2019, the board embarked on a US$2.5-million fundraising initiative in support of Fiat Lux, an ambitious reimagining of the Library.
“The McGill Library is the centre of campus and academic life for students and faculty,” says board member Valerie Shey, BCom’92. “Our volunteers and donors are so excited to play an early role in this transformational project and help create a cutting-edge library for McGill’s third century.”
She adds, “It was also a pleasure to meet and connect with local alumni!”
Board members mobilized McGill’s community of alumni, parents and friends in East Coast states through an imaginative series of dinners and events. Highlights included talks by notable alumni Steven Pinker, BA’76, DSc’99, and Adam Gopnik, BA’80, DLitt’13, and Professor Jennifer Welsh, along with an after-hours viewing of an exhibition at the Jewish Museum in New York City, celebrating the work of Leonard Cohen, BA’55, DLitt’92. These efforts have culminated in approximately US$2.3 million raised to date.
Record-setting support from the Law Class of 1989
Reunions may be a hallmark of Homecoming, but all year round, volunteer leaders rally their graduating classes around projects that pay it forward. Reunion class gifts have supported classroom updates, honoured the memory of classmates gone too soon, and created new student awards.
One standout example: Arthur Wechsler, BCL’89, LLB’89, a former lecturer in the Faculty of Law and a member of its Advisory Board, was instrumental in its latest record-breaking reunion class gift. Thanks to Wechsler and his co-chairs, Tom Friedland, Jean Lortie and Jennifer Dolman, the Class of 1989 raised more than $350,000 in support of their Faculty. Their combined efforts will establish an endowed scholarship, with additional funds for classroom accessibility, giving current and future students the gift of flexible, interactive learning environments.