Celebrating the People Who Shape Our University Community

GREAT at U of G invites you to join colleagues from across our university to celebrate our staff and faculty, who each day make a meaningful difference for each other, the students, and the communities we serve.

Employee Appreciation Day shines a spotlight on the unique strengths, skills, and gifts our employees bring to the university, from support and services to teaching and research. It’s a moment to pause and connect, while inviting each of us to continue to foster a culture where every member of our community feels seen, valued, and supported year-round.

In-Person Celebration at the Summerlee Science Complex, Waasamowin

Thursday, March 5, 2026 | 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Stop by with your colleagues for a sweet treat (served on site or wrapped to go), capture memories with your team, and enjoy a moment to connect and celebrate the people who make our university what it is.

Agenda

• 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Live music, sweet treats, beverages, and time to connect and socialize
• 12:15 p.m. Formal Remarks

Registration

Register through Qualtrics [1] by Feb. 27 to help us estimate our order for sweet treats and beverages.

Note: Lunch will not be served.

Ways to Participate in Appreciation and Recognition

To help us celebrate, we invite you to participate in ways that feel natural to you – on Employee Appreciation Day and beyond.

Virtual Kudoboard

Share what you appreciate about your U of G community by adding a message to our Employee Appreciation Day Kudoboard [2]! Submissions entered before Friday, March 6, 9 a.m. will be entered into a virtual prize draw for gift cards valued up to $150.

Prize winners will be notified directly by email on March 6 and announced on March 9.

Share Appreciation this Month – and Every Month

At U of G, appreciation extends beyond a single day; it is a year-round commitment to appreciate and recognize our people. Whether formal or informal, a quick note of thanks, a shared message, or a nomination can make a meaningful difference.

It’s about valuing the people who support our students, working alongside one another, and contributing in ways that are both visible and behind the scenes.

“G” Thanks! Program

“G” Thanks! [3] is an easy way to recognize and show appreciation for colleagues and leaders year-round at U of G. Nominate a colleague [4] today to let them know they are making a difference and to enter them into the draw for the monthly prize!

An Invitation to Reflect on Appreciation & Recognition

Employee Appreciation Day is also a chance to pause and reflect on how appreciation and recognition show up in our daily work – both in the moments we offer them and in how we receive them. Register for our March 10 workshop [5] - Tapping into the Power of Appreciation and Recognition.

You Might Consider:

• Timeliness, specificity, and genuineness: When appreciation or recognition is shared close to the moment and grounded in real experience, it often feels most meaningful.
• Appreciation: Noticing and valuing who someone is – their presence, qualities, care, and consistency – beyond what they produce or achieve.
• Recognition: Acknowledging specific actions or contributions that support our work and help clarify what’s working well. Recognition can be formal or informal.
• Gratitude: Taking time to recognize that many positive outcomes are made possible through the efforts, support, and collaboration of others.

Small moments of reflection can help strengthen a workplace where appreciation and recognition feel natural, shared, and ongoing. Visit the GREAT at U of G SharePoint Site [6] for more programs, resources, and supports.

Promotional Poster

Download and share the event poster! [7]

Questions

If you have any questions, please email Jessica Yu at great@uoguelph.ca [8]. 

We look forward to celebrating with you!

The Employee Appreciation Day Organizing Committee

Claire Alexander, Isidora Nezic, Keeva Principe Rapa, Lisa Tersigni-Holt, Jessica Yu, Louise Van Zeller