Winegard to Receive U of G Leadership Award
May 25, 2014 - News Release
One of the University of Guelph’s founding presidents, the Hon. William “Bill” Winegard, will return to campus May 27 to receive the Lincoln Alexander Outstanding Leader Award.
Presented annually by Guelph’s College of Business and Economics, the award recognizes exemplary and dedicated Canadian leaders whose careers have included groundbreaking, socially significant pursuits.
It was created in 2006 to honour the late Lincoln Alexander, who served as Guelph’s chancellor for an unprecedented 15 years.
Winegard has enjoyed a varied and influential career as an educator, administrator, engineer, scientist and federal politician. He served as U of G’s second president and vice-chancellor from 1967 to 1975.
“With 2014 marking our 50th anniversary, it’s the ideal time to reflect upon those who have shaped our beloved University,” said Julia Christensen Hughes, dean of the business school.
“Bill Winegard laid the foundation of this University, which has allowed U of G to flourish into the institution it has become today. It’s fitting that at this point in our history we honour a person who not only influenced the direction of this institution but also instilled values that we continue to emulate today -- a community that cares.”
The award will be presented during an invitation-only dinner beginning at 6:30 p.m. in Creelman Hall.
Winegard came to U of G three years after its founding in 1964. He played a pivotal role in converting an agricultural, veterinary sciences and home economics institution into a broadly based university, including expansion of the humanities and social sciences. He also reorganized the college structure, gave students an official voice on governing policies and opened Senate meetings to the public.
After retiring from academia and U of G, Winegard entered federal politics. He served as a member of Parliament for Guelph, parliamentary secretary to the minister of international trade, minister of state (science and technology) and Canada’s first minister for science.
Before joining U of G, he was assistant dean of graduate studies at University of Toronto. He served in the Royal Canadian Navy from 1942 to 1945 and was the youngest qualified navigating officer. Winegard is also known for his dedication to social and environmental causes and his volunteer work, including reading to children at U of G’s Child Care and Learning Centre.
On campus, he has lent his name to Winegard Walk, the William Winegard Exemplary Volunteer Involvement Awards and the Winegard Medal for undergraduate achievement. He also established three annual visiting lectureships at Guelph.
He was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1998 and received the Lincoln Alexander Medal of Distinguished Service.
The Lincoln Alexander Outstanding Leader Award is U of G’s highest leadership honour. Past recipients are Paul Martin, Canada’s 21st prime minister and an advocate for aboriginal issues; Louise Arbour, former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and former justice of the Supreme Court of Canada; Rick Hillier, retired Canadian general and former chief of the defence staff of the Canadian Forces; Martin Connell, a prominent Canadian business leader and influential philanthropist;and Frank McKenna, former New Brunswick premier and Canadian ambassador to the United States.
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt, 519-824-4120, Ext. 53338, lhunt@uoguelph.ca; or Kevin Gonsalves, Ext. 56982, kgonsalves@uoguelph.ca
