Celebrating Excellence: University of Guelph Alumni Award Recipients

University of Guelph Alumni Awards of Excellence 2024

Each year, the University of Guelph Alumni Association (UGAA), led by a 10-member volunteer board, selects three distinguished alumni to receive the prestigious Alumni Awards of Excellence. The Young Alumni Award, Alumni Volunteer Award, and Alumnus of Honour, recognize remarkable contributions and celebrate alumni for their impact and achievement.

This October, the recipients will be honored at an awards ceremony held at the Art Gallery of Guelph, surrounded by friends, family, past award winners, UGAA board members, University staff, and faculty. Their achievements will also be memorialized with plaques displayed at Alumni Plaza, located outside War Memorial Hall, ensuring their legacy becomes a permanent part of the campus.

Alumnus of Honour: Barbara Salsberg Mathews, BA '83

The Alumnus of Honour Award celebrates alumni whose accomplishments bring great pride to the University of Guelph through their professional, community, or personal endeavors. Established in 1970, this award recognizes individuals whose significant contributions in fields such as science, education, business, and the arts reflect the values of their alma mater. This year, we are proud to present this prestigious award to Barbara Salsberg Mathews, BA '83, for her lifetime achievements. Read Barbara’s bio.

Alumni Volunteer Award: Daniel J. Gillis, BSc '00, MSc '02, PhD '10

The Alumni Volunteer Award honors those who have demonstrated unwavering loyalty and dedication to the University through their volunteer efforts. Since its inception in 1994, the award has recognized alumni who have given generously of their time, energy, and leadership to support students, faculty, and fellow alumni. This year’s award is presented to Daniel J. Gillis, BSc '00, MSc '02, PhD '10, for his extraordinary volunteer contributions. Read Daniel’s bio.

Young Alumni Award: Gabriella Sundar Singh, BA '11

The Young Alumni Award (formerly the Alumni Medal of Achievement) is given to a graduate from the past 15 years who has demonstrated excellence through significant contributions to their community, profession, or the arts. Since 1972, this award has honored the outstanding achievements of recent graduates. This year’s Young Alumni Award recipient is Gabriella Sundar Singh, BA '11, for her remarkable accomplishments in the world of arts and letters. Read Gabriella’s bio.

We congratulate this year's recipients and celebrate their remarkable achievements, which continue to inspire the University of Guelph community and beyond.