For 27 years, Alma Mater Society (AMS) information officer Greg McKellar, Artsci’78, MA’84, went above and beyond his job by mentoring generations of AMS student executives. The bonds were so strong that many continued to seek Mr. McKellar’s advice years after they graduated.
Yet Mr. McKellar is the one who is the most grateful. He found working alongside dedicated students who cared deeply about the Queen’s community to be inspiring.
“What they gave me was great hope for the future because I knew they would be there to build it,” says Mr. McKellar. “My level of gratitude to the students with whom I worked with exceeds anything they may feel toward me, and that is the most truthful thing I can say. I love what I did. I love that I was able to maintain relationships with so many of them, and they had a wonderful impact on my life.”
Mr. McKellar is the recipient of the Alumni Mentorship Award, given by the Queen’s University Alumni Association to a member of the Queen’s community who has made a significant contribution to either an individual or group.
Former AMS executives from as far back as the 1990s nominated Mr. McKellar, showing that some people are still grateful decades later.
Andrew Boggs, Artsci’96, served as the Arts & Science Undergraduate Society (ASUS) President in 1994-95 and AMS Academic Affairs Commissioners in 1995-96 and currently works with the UK Government. He continued to seek Mr. McKellar’s advice after landing jobs with the Ontario Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities and the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario.
“As alumni, (many AMS executives) would not be the citizens we are without Queen’s, but we would not be the people we are without Greg,” says Dr. Boggs. “Greg has been the source of support for thousands of students over the years.”
Student leaders who worked with Mr. McKellar praised him for being open and always listening when they came to him with an idea. Mr. McKellar would ask questions, bring up unexpected challenges, and get them to focus on how the idea would better the Queen’s community.
“One of the things I learned is people are far more interested in what you have to say if you are interested in what they have to say. You cannot overestimate the value of encouraging and offering support to young people. My starting point was always ‘Let's see how we can make this work,’" says Mr. McKellar.
Jon Shell, Artsci’97the AMS Media and Services Director from 1995-96, felt Mr. McKellar was the most important resource to him during his time at Queen’s. He said Mr. McKellar had “an impeccable moral compass” and wanted the student leaders to do what is right.
“The lessons he taught me made me a better leader and a better person. He deserves every accolade for which he is eligible,” says Mr. Shell. “He was always there for me with great humour and thoughtful advice.”
If you ask Mr. McKellar to reflect on memorable moments during his career, he talks about people not projects or achievements.
He is proud that he made a difference in the life of former AMS staffers, many of whom have gone on to successful careers.
When he talks about those students, it is easy to understand why many found him so inspiring.
"If you read the history of this University, it reveals one salient truth: Queen's students have never been passive consumers of an education. They are the builders and shapers of the very university itself in every respect,” says Mr. McKellar. "I believe that you are part of something much bigger than yourself and you should see your actions in that light. Never just think in the short term. Always think 'How do you want to leave this place?’ Do you want to be a part of the tradition of Queen's students who have made a difference?"
