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OAC Hosts Annual Recognition Banquet
April 23, 2008
Paying tribute and saying thanks to dedicated supporters and volunteers, OAC hosted its annual Recognition Banquet on April 23 at the Guelph campus. In her welcome, Interim Dean, Mary Buhr, described the attendees as the people who bring the real world into OAC's classrooms, labs, fields and lives.
Alexander F. Henry of Burlington, Ontario, was inducted into the Order of OAC, which acknowledges significant financial contributions through endowed donations that enrich the teaching and study of agriculture, food, the environment, community and rural development. Henry spent his career advancing the agricultural industry through the application of science and technology to the fertilizer business, and later became President of Sylvite Sales, a company that marketed agricultural products. His contributions to the industry have extended beyond Ontario and into the United States and offshore markets. A member of a Canadian Trade Mission to China in the 1970's and an author, he was also inducted into the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2004.
The 2008 OAC Outstanding Service Award, which celebrates the dedication, vision and continuous outstanding contribution of a volunteer to OAC and the rural community, honours the legacy of Lorie Jocius and her husband, the late Ginty Jocius, who passed away January 2. Among his many achievements, he created Canada's Outdoor Farm Show held each September in Woodstock. A President of the OAC Alumni Association and Chair of the OAC Alumni Foundation, he was instrumental in creating the OAC Access Fund for the Foundation and the University. Lorie supported the creation of Canada's Farm Show Travel Bursary to support students to participate in events such as National Agri-Marketing Association Competitions. President of the Great Canadian Outdoor Expo (2003-2006), Lorie has also coordinated and organized numerous conferences and seminars connecting the agricultural community.
Mary Ann Found of Courtice, Ontario, received an Agri-Food and Rural Volunteer Recognition Award, honouring the leadership of volunteers who serve tirelessly to make a difference through agri-food and community activities. After 30 years of teaching, Found has redirected her energy into educating young people about agriculture and food, and has been instrumental in the development of the Farm Connections program for Grade 3 students in Durham.
The College also awarded "Co-operators" certificates of appreciation to 23 individuals who have made significant volunteer contributions to OAC's research, teaching and service programs over the past year.
