OVC graduates returned to the College June 14-15 to celebrate Alumni Weekend.
More than 1,000 University of Guelph grads and guests were expected to take part in a variety of events across the campus. “Students for a short time, alumni for life” was the theme of the event, which included two dozen class reunions.
OVC highlights included the OVC Alumni Association (OVC AA) annual general meeting on Saturday.
The agenda included presentation of the Distinguished Alumnus Award to Dr. Roly Armitage OVC ’51, a longtime ambassador for the equine industry.
Dr. Roly Armitage, centre, with Dr. Elizabeth Stone and the OVC AA’s Dr. Lynn Helwig, right.
The award recognizes an OVC graduate who has brought honour to the college and other Guelph alumni through leadership and service to country, science, education, profession or alma mater.
“I am so proud to have been a member of the veterinary profession for the past 62 years,” said Armitage. “I’m humbled to receive this award … it couldn’t be given to anyone who could be more proud and more honoured.”
During his career, Armitage developed a reputation as a leader in the harness-racing industry and as a successful breeder of standardbreds. In his many roles as a veterinarian, breeder, owner, administrator and racetrack manager, his natural and infectious enthusiasm for the sport made him a valuable ambassador. He campaigned for greater track safety, implementing changes at the Rideau Carlton Raceway that were followed by tracks across the country and leading to a dramatic reduction in driver-related deaths and accidents.
Armitage was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame the following year. In 2002, he received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in recognition of more than 50 years of service to his community. A terminal building at the Carp Airport near Ottawa bears his name, and in 2011 the city Ottawa renamed the hall at the West Carleton community complex Dr. Roland Armitage Hall in recognition of his many contributions to civic life.
Armitage is also a veteran. He was just 17 when he volunteered for service with the Royal Canadian Artillery in the Second World War and took part in the Normandy campaign and the liberation of France and Holland.
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The College also dedicated a new plaque that celebrates OVC’s history. The colorful plaque, located next to the front steps of the historic main building, was donated by the members of OVC ’58.
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The OVC AA thanked Dr. Roger Thomson OVC ’75 for his many years of service to alumni and the college as treasurer of the OVC AA.
The association named a new slate of officers, including:
President: Dr. Brad Hanna
Vice-president: Dr. Valerie Wong
Past-president: Dr. Janet Sunohara-Neilson
Secretary: Dr. Maureen Anderson
Treasurer: TBD
Junior treasurer: Monica Marshman, Class of 2014
Directors: Dr. Dana Allen OVC ’76; Dr. Colleen Best OVC ’09; Dr. Peter Conlon OVC ’80; Dr. Lynn Helwig OVC ’54; Sarah Kramer, Class of 2015; Sharon Zhang, Class of 2016.
Members of OVC ‘58, from l to r: Terry O’Connor, Ellen Spears, Fred Rhoads, Rod Davies, Russ Thompson, Jim McDonald, Paul Pennock, Lloyd Fisher, Bill Schaefer, Don McKeown, Harvey Grenn.