The Alumni Association will help the University accomplish its three primary activities -research, teaching and community service - through participating in governance, acting as a vocal advocate and supporting fund-raising.

The Alumni Association will act as an agent for alumni involvement within the University, within the activities of the Association and in external activities representing the interests of the Alumni Association.

The Alumni Association will recognize the achievements of alumni, students and friends of McMaster University, and reward outstanding contributions to the Alumni Association.

The Alumni Association will provide products, services and benefits that renew and invigorate alumni affinity with the University.

The Alumni Association will undertake appropriate and timely communication with alumni to inform them of issues affecting the University and the Alumni Association, and to facilitate communications among alumni. The Alumni Association will initiate and pursue an appropriate and timely dialogue with senior officials and faculty of the University.

The Alumni Association will encourage current students to become involved in, and assist with activities of the Association to forge an early link with future graduands and it will encourage a lifelong association with the University primarily through the activities of the Student Relations Committee.

As I look back now at the end of my two-year term as president of the MAA, it is a fitting capstone that I have just recently had the opportunity to express my gratitude and appreciation to the person who first got me involved in the alumni association – more than 35 years ago. Ken Hall, a proud member of the class of 1955, is an exceptional role model for an engaged, involved citizen who shares his passions and puts his hands to promoting the causes he holds dear. Ken was recognized for his many community contributions, his work on behalf of environmental causes and volunteerism as he was awarded an honorary degree this spring. A social sciences grad from the class of 1955, Hall served as a teacher, vice-principal and principal in Hamilton for 30 years, but is best known for his work as a volunteer and environmentalist. A two-term president of the McMaster Alumni Association, Hall has also served with the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club and Royal Botanical Gardens and was a founder of the Bay Area Restoration Council. It was a privilege for me to deliver the alumni address at that special convocation and share the stage with Dr. Ken Hall, who is a dear friend and a personal hero. Ken epitomizes the engaged alumnus – maintaining relationships formed over his time since graduation; keeping informed and engaged with his alma mater and encouraging the participation of others. Ken was one of six McMaster alumni announced to receive honorary doctorates this spring. We delight in the accomplishments of this diverse and exemplary group of fellow alumni.

They inspire us and remind us of the power of a McMaster experience and education. As I move on to my next role on the MAA board, as past president, I encourage you to learn from Ken Hall. Whatever your interests, passions, causes near to your heart, involve yourself in your community and encourage others to join you. And remember that you may have left McMaster many years ago, but McMaster hasn’t left you! We are proud of your accomplishments and look forward to celebrating many more prideful moments honouring all of our accomplished grads.

Twenty years. My how the world has changed since 1998. Innovations in technology alone have completely changed the way we communicate, consume entertainment and music, to name just a few of the impacts. I’m reflecting on this particular chunk of time as I stare down the weeks before my twentieth work anniversary at McMaster, all of which has been spent in this joyful pursuit of engaging the alumni of McMaster. The way we go about that work, along with the needs and interests of alumni of course, have changed a lot too. As we all witness, the pace of change has increased, and it’s an exciting but sometimes daunting fact that each year brings about new demands to adapt to changing preferences and adopt new communication channels to stay current and relevant. To highlight some of the new work in the past year, I would point to our new digital edition of MAC magazine - click here.

While we still print twice a year, readers can now enjoy a third full issue in January, and dive deeper with additional content for the spring and fall editions. We continue our focus on supporting the career aspirations of our students and graduates with regular consultations with our alumni career counsellor, both in person, but also now through regularly scheduled online events, removing distance as a barrier to service. The newly launched Hire McMaster is a centralized hub to coordinate employer development and promote the hiring of McMaster students and grads for all types of experiential opportunities such as internships, co-ops, as well as full time positions. Connecting alumni to these opportunities both as employers and as job seekers is another new approach to serving the needs of our alumni.

So sure, the world is a vastly different place than it was when I started this journey and the changes inspire us to innovate, think differently and keep up with trends but it’s the foundational principles that remain the same, and keep me motivated to achieve the mission of the MAA. We support McMaster University, we involve alumni, recognize the achievements of students and alumni, provide valuable services and benefits, communicate with them and involve them while they are on campus, as students. Surely, the business of the MAA will change in ways we can’t imagine over the next twenty years, but I will bet the principles will remain the same. I can’t wait to see what the MAA will be doing!

Support McMaster University through a continued commitment to participation in governance, acting as an advocate and supporting fundraising with a focus on the growth of young alumni donors to McMaster.

Engage McMaster's evolving and shifting alumni constituencies by a clearer understanding of its demographic makeup and interests.

Foster high quality, distinctive, educational and service opportunities that deepen alumni engagement through on-campus, in community and online programming.

Make connections between alumni and students a cornerstone of the McMaster Alumni Association by creating more opportunities for interaction, programming and services.

Celebrate McMaster and alumni milestone, accomplishments and traditions through alumni events and alumni awards programs and communications.

Communicate a clear, consistent, and distinctive McMaster message that aligns with the university's goals and values and builds alumni ties to the McMaster Alumni Association and to McMaster.

Develop the resources, data and funding to meet the McMaster Alumni Association's strategic goals and support McMaster University.

Introduced in summer 2017, a new online opportunity had the Alumni Career Counsellor, Jillian Perkins-Marsh, and other career counsellors from the Student Success Centre host a monthly online session with alumni answering their pressing questions related to their career. These one on one chats were facilitated via our online networking platform, Brazen Connect, removing the barrier of distance and travel for alumni to benefit from connecting with the alumni career counsellor. Through eight events held in its first year, 121 alumni completed chats. The feedback from these brief, informative chats has been overwhelming positive and registrations continue to trend up.

An annual favourite timed around the holidays, alumni are welcomed to an evening of fine wine, paired with some delicious food, prepared by one of McMaster’s finest chefs at our annual wine pairing dinner.

In 2017, we had the unique opportunity to have the evening hosted by George Soleas ’83, President and CEO of the LCBO…he knows a thing or two about wine! George was inducted in the Alumni Gallery earlier in the year and it was a pleasure to welcome him back to campus and give him an opportunity to share his passion for viticulture with the 75 alumni and guests attending this sold-out event. Every year this event carries a theme to the offerings and in celebration of Canada’s sesquicentennial, 2017’s wine pairing dinner featured dishes and wines from various regions across the country.

Dr. Mark Busser ’05 ’14, a sessional faculty member in the department of political sciences within the Faculty of social sciences at McMaster travelled to Toronto, Ottawa, and Washington, D.C., to speak to groups of McMaster Alumni about fake news, systemic distrust, and the post-truth era we find ourselves in. Dr. Busser spoke to over 250 alumni, and helped audiences tread the fine line between healthy skepticism and gullibility as new forms of media enable endless avenues for sharing and spreading conspiracy theories and fake news. This event is one example of how the alumni association aims to bring McMaster to alumni - sharing timely research and teaching on the road with some of our most engaging faculty members.

A rock band. An opera singer. Two engineers, a digital innovator, university president, MD -former pro-golfer & human rights activist and insurance business leader. Such diverse groups of interesting and accomplished individuals are recognized each year through an inspiring awards ceremony. This year’s event showed even a favourite event with 30 years of history, can continue to evolve. Held in the beautiful auditorium of L.R. Wilson Hall, the ceremony allowed for on stage performances, a video presentation of the award winners, all the while guests enjoyed the superb acoustics and modern comforts of this great space. A sold-out event, we recognized the achievements and service of 17 alumni and three students before enjoying a celebratory dinner, drinks and the ever-appreciated dessert & candy table.

Patricia enrolled as a Mature Student at McMaster University in the School of Social Work and upon graduating with Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Social Work Degrees, she practiced Social Work at the Ministry of Health until her retirement in 1995. Patricia has maintained a life-long commitment to women and mental health, manifested by membership in various women’s organizations. Besides being a founding, charter member of the first Women’s Centre in Hamilton, she was an active member of the City of Hamilton Status of Women Committee and the first woman to become Chair of the Hamilton-Wentworth Police Services Board. She also was a founding member of Hamilton branches of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Friends of Schizophrenics and Women’s Centre, as well as the President of McMaster Alumni, School of Social Work.

Dr. Orson Morrison is a Clinical Psychologist and Director of the DePaul Family and Community Services (FCS) and is an Affiliate Clinical Associate Professor at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Morrison provides staff training, clinical supervision, program development and oversight of clinical services at FCS. Dr. Morrison has spent his career working with children, adolescents, and families that are involved in the child welfare system and those impacted by poverty, social exclusion, violence, and abuse. Dr. Morrison previously held positions as Vice President of Child and Family Services at Lawrence Hall Youth Services and Post-doctoral Fellow at the University of California, Berkeley.

Leo Johnson spent eight years in refugee camps, after fleeing war-torn Liberia in 1998. He arrived in Canada in 2006 as a government-sponsored refugee. Leo, who had completed his high school education in the refugee camps, applied to McMaster University and was accepted. In his second year, he founded CURE Canada (now Empowerment Squared), a charitable organization that supports over 200 newcomer youth and families through academic mentoring, digital literacy, access to sports and recreation, and ground-breaking educational projects in his native Liberia. Leo now spends his time between Canada and Liberia; his current project is the Liberian Learning Center, a community hub that will house the country’s first public library since the civil war began in 1989.

Paula Claudino has a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and Management from McMaster University and Master of Applied Science in Renewable Energy Engineering and Policy from Carleton University. She is a Professional Engineer with a career in industrial energy management and has had the opportunity to work with industries ranging in size from small and medium enterprises to large industry and mines in various countries, including Canada, Singapore, Bangladesh, South Korea, the U.S.A. and Brazil, as well as the European Union. She is fluent in English, French and Portuguese, and since moving to Germany in 2016, has been working on her German.

Meric S. Gertler was appointed as the 16th President of the University of Toronto in 2013. A professor of geography and planning, and the Goldring Chair in Canadian Studies, he is widely known for his work on the role of institutions in shaping innovation and local economic prosperity. His comparative analysis of urban economies spans North America, Europe and Asia. He has advised governments in Canada, the United States and Europe, as well as international agencies such as the OECD and EU. He has authored or edited nine books and has held visiting appointments at Oxford, University College London, UCLA, and the University of Oslo.

As a family physician, retired professional golfer, human rights activist, author and transgender woman, Dr. Bobbi Lancaster is an inspiring trailblazer, role model and public speaker.

Dr. Lynnette Madsen’s career has spanned industry, academia, and government; she is currently a program director in materials research at the U.S. National Science Foundation. She holds three patents, has authored one book and co-edited another, and has published three book chapters/sections and more than 100 articles. Lynnette has received many accolades for her outstanding scientific leadership, mentoring, promotion of women and minorities, and administrative excellence.

Alfredo Tan is the Chief Digital and Innovation Officer for WestJet where he will transform the WestJet guest experience across all digital channels over the entire travel journey and across all guest touch points. Previously, Alfredo was the Group Director of Global Marketing Solutions at Facebook Canada, where he led a team responsible for strategic marketing relationships with agencies and Fortune 500 companies across Canada.

Bob Taylor completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering at the University of Waterloo. He then completed his MBA degree at McMaster University in 1976. Other than his time with Procter & Gamble following the completion of his engineering degree, Bob has spent his entire professional career, spanning 35 years, in the insurance sector. Bob co-founded Trisura Guarantee Insurance Company with Mike George and John Garner in 2006.

Sabatino Vacca is the Founder, Artistic Director, and Chorus Master of the newly formed Southern Ontario Lyric Opera (SOLO). He is presently the Music Director of the Cambridge Symphony Orchestra (CSO), and the newly formed Milton Philharmonic Orchestra. He was on staff with Opera Hamilton and has worked as an opera coach for the University of Toronto, Laurier University, as well as the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Sabatino is the recipient of the Spirit of Ontario Award for the Arts by the National Congress of Italian Canadians.

Since the inception of Plastic Mobile in 2007, Melody’s leadership and strategic thinking has made tidal waves in the tech industry. Having been crowned the “The Queen of Apps!” since 2010 it’s no surprise that leading brands have followed her into their mobile future. As COO, and Queen, Melody has led countless ground-breaking initiatives, collecting awards and accolades, including the Webby’s, W3’s, and Davies, as well as being named one of Canada’s Top 40 under 40, along the way.

Vocalist/guitarist Max Kerman, guitarist Michael DeAngelis and bassist Nick Dika are McMaster grads, who alongside drummer Tim Oxford and keyboardist Anthony Carone, formed the multi JUNO Award-winning rock band, ARKELLS while studying at McMaster University. In their decade long career Arkells have earned a number of post-graduate achievements in music including, 4 gold certified records, 2 gold certified songs, 3 #1 hits, a global touring resume and festival slots at some of the most respected festivals in the biz, including Coachella, Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo. Their most recent hit single, “Knocking At The Door,” spent an unprecedented 14 weeks at #1 on the Canadian Alt/Rock charts, making it the most played Alt/Rock song of 2017, and Arkells the most played band of the year. This June 23rd, Arkells return to play their biggest hometown spectacle yet, The Rally, a summer celebration at Hamilton’s Tim Hortons Field.

Mark Scattolon is an award-winning entrepreneur, sales and marketing professional with expertise in sales strategy, integrated marketing and brand storytelling. As the Co-Founder of Hangry, Mark has appeared on Dragons' Den (Season 10) along with CBC’s The Exchange, and is an active speaker at conferences in mobile tech, marketing to Millennials & Gen-Z, and the latest trends in digital media.

Adam Shoalts completed his Master's degree in History at McMaster in 2009, and is currently completing his doctorate in History at McMaster. In 2017, he completed a nearly 4,000 km journey alone by canoe and on foot across Canada's Arctic. The journey took nearly four months and was supported by McMaster University's alumni association, as well as the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. On his journey, Adam carried a McMaster University flag. He is a frequent guest speaker and has written two bestselling books, Alone Against the North and A History of Canada in 10 Maps. In 2013, he was made a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and in 2016 he was named a national champion of the Trans-Canada Trail.

Ushma, a recent graduate from the Honours Life Sciences program, is a prominent leader on the McMaster campus. As an avid intersectional feminist, Ushma founded the first Canadian chapter of the organization, She’s the First. Now a recipient of multiple awards, this club champions the education of girls in low-income countries. As the Co-President of UNICEF McMaster, Ushma has successfully raised awareness for numerous global development issues, while creating opportunities for McMaster students to support the wellbeing of children around the world. Ushma’s dedication towards alleviating social issues is also apparent through her extensive involvement with community organizations such as the Canadian Mental Health Association. Over the past few years, Ushma has also served on the McMaster Peer Conduct Board and the Clubs Executive Council (as the Chair of the Social Issues Division).

Moving forward, Ushma aims to combine her interest in healthcare with her passion for humanitarianism to contribute to the field of global health. In particular, she hopes to advocate for underprivileged and marginalized populations within the context of access to quality healthcare.

Shaarujaa Nadarajah is a first generation university student who just completed her honours degree in Life Sciences. She was the President of McMaster Relay for Life and Assistant Coordinator for the McMaster Shinerama Campaign raising a total of over 200,000 dollars for charitable initiatives. While she has contributed much of her time throughout her undergraduate career in the area of philanthropy, her passion has always laid in student governance. She served on the Student Representative Assembly representing science students prior to working as the Vice-President Administration for the McMaster Students Union. During her term, she worked alongside university partners to increase sexual violence response training for orientation representatives. Currently, she sits as the student representative on the University Planning Committee and Student Success Centre Advisory Committee. In addition, she supported the McMaster Institute for Research on Aging on an intergenerational project that aimed to bridge the gap between students and older adults.

Vanessa Raponi graduates with a degree in Materials Engineering & Management. After founding the McMaster EngiQueers club in June 2013 - an organization aimed to focus on intersectional diversity in engineering, Vanessa remained president of the organization for 4 years. In September 2016, she founded the national equivalent - EngiQueers Canada - to unite schools with similar initiatives. By July 2017, it became a certified Canadian not-for-profit organization, and had grown to represent 31 schools in 9 provinces. Vanessa is a Canadian Engineering Memorial Foundation ambassador - a national women in engineering ambassadorship that involves encouraging young women to enter STEM fields. She has also competed in the interdisciplinary case competitions MARS Apprentice and the international Engineering and Commerce Case Competition. Her team placed 1st and 3rd respectively.