College News

The University of Guelph and Loblaw Companies Limited have partnered to challenge tomorrow’s food leaders and develop solutions for a net-zero food system in Canada, through a new 10-month graduate student experiential learning program at the university. The Loblaw Net-Zero Food Systems Challenge will bring together graduate students from across Canada to investigate strategic levers that will drive Canadian adoption and demand for net-zero agricultural products along the value chain, from farmers to consumers.

As climate change brings more insect pests to Canada’s farms and forests, a newly funded research and teaching chair at the University of Guelph is intended to help manage infestation threats to crops and trees.  

The new E. Alan (OAC ’60) and Jule A. Cameron Chair in Ecological Pest Management will be funded by a $3-million gift from Alan, a graduate of the Ontario Agricultural College, and his wife, Jule.  

Their gift will support this new chair in the School of Environmental Sciences (SES) for an unlimited term.

The OAC Dean’s Office is pleased to welcome Boris Martin into the role of Experiential Learning Partnership and Educational Developer. He began in the role on October 31.

In this role, Boris will support the OAC flexible internship courses, developing and expanding existing and new experiential learning initiatives within OAC, and stewarding strong relationships with employers and community partners in the agriculture, environment, food and community development sectors. The role reports jointly to the OAC Dean’s Office and U of G’s Experiential Learning Hub.

Two research leaders have been appointed to chair positions within the Ontario Agricultural College to advance research programs focused on climate change adaption and resilience.

Dr. Asim Biswas, School of Environmental Sciences, has been appointed as the OAC Chair in Soils and Precision Agriculture, and Dr. Angela Cánovas, Department of Animal Biosciences, has been appointed as the OAC Chair in Phenomics and Systems Biology.

It is with sympathy that we share the passing of William (Bill) Stammers on October 18, 2022. Bill received his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1954 and M.Sc. in Agricultural Engineering in 1956 from the Ontario Agricultural College. He later returned to the newly formed University of Guelph to join the School of Engineering as a faculty member. He was a professor in the School from 1964-1988. 

It is with sympathy that we share the passing of Michael Trant (M.Sc. in Agricultural Economics, 1976) on September 20, 2022. His obituary is available here.

It is with sympathy that we share the passing of Stephen Reynolds, a PhD student in the Department of Plant Agriculture, on September 21.

A celebration of life is planned for Thursday, Sept. 29 in Windsor. Condolences to Stephen’s family may be shared through an online memorial site. Campus flags will be lowered to half-mast on Wednesday, Sept. 28 in Stephen’s honour.

The federal government will invest more than $1.1 million in 11 University of Guelph research projects, ranging from clean energy to food spoilage to Indigenous environmental health. 

The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) will fund the projects through its  John R. Evans Leaders Fund, which helps universities recruit and retain outstanding faculty and provides researchers with infrastructure required to become leaders in their fields. 

The annual OAC Faculty Awards were presented at the OAC Welcome Back BBQ held on September 20, 2022. Each year, the OAC Alumni Foundation presents the G.P. McRostie Faculty Award to a faculty member who plays a significant role in education and the OAC Alumni Association chooses three faculty members who have made outstanding contributions in teaching, research or extension. Congratulations to all recipients!

The annual OAC Outstanding Staff Recognition Awards were presented at the OAC Welcome Back BBQ held on September 20, 2022. These staff awards recognize excellent work performance, willingness to help others, contributions toward the betterment of workplace operations, and efforts in making OAC a better place to work overall. The recipients of these awards are nominated by their colleagues. Congratulations to all recipients!