Ryerson pays tribute to its outstanding volunteers
July 6, 2017
On the donor wall at the Sears Atrium on the third floor of Ryerson University’s George Vari Engineering & Computing Centre are the names of benefactors who have contributed in excess of $100,000 in cumulative gifts.
At the top of the list is late chancellor Raymond Chang in whose name outstanding volunteer awards were presented recently to 58 individuals who, through their volunteerism and generosity of spirit, have made the university an exceptional place to study, learn and grow.
The awardees included mentors, advisors, fundraisers, ambassadors, organizers, greeters and ticket sellers.
“Your contributions have been essential to enriching the experience of so many of our students as well as our faculty staff,” said Ryerson’s president and vice-chancellor Dr. Mohamed Lachemi. “You have provided gifts and experiences and you have given freely and generously. For all that you have done and continue to do for Ryerson, you have my deepest gratitude.”
In his six years as chancellor, Chang attended some 30 classes annually, presided over 95 convocations and awarded close to 3,000 degrees and diplomas to successful graduates from 50 classes at the university which bestowed an honorary degree on him 12 years ago.
Lachemi said it’s appropriate that the new awards program bears Chang’s name.
“Ray was the student’s chancellor,” said Lachemi. “He embodied the spirit of generosity and goodwill.”
The honourees included Chang’s widow, Donette Chin- Loy Chang, who graduated from Ryerson’s journalism program in 1978.
“This award is significant for me because it has Ray’s name and as Ryerson is my extended family,” she said. “This university actually helped save me after Ray passed away. When I was looking to organizations to help keep me afloat, Ryerson was the first.”
Chin-Loy Chang said her late husband inspired her and hundreds of people.
“His kindness, care and passion for education are now for the history books,” she added. “He gave without asking and always rolled up his sleeves literally to carry a heavy load.”
Donette Chin-Loy Chang standing next to a portrait of her late husband Raymond Chang (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
The Ryerson alumnae offers strategic advice on communications as a member of the Faculty of Community Services Dean’s Advisory Council and is active with the G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education where she created an award in her parents’ Lloyd and Daphne Chin-Loy name for students in the mental health & addictions certificate program.
She also recently created an award named in honour of former dean Usha George in the Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing.
