Late Dr Raymond Chang honoured by St George’s College Alumni Association Ontario

St George’s College, a venerable institution renowned for its commitment to educating young men in Jamaica, recently marked a profound milestone of 175 years of resolute dedication to academic and personal development. This significant anniversary was celebrated with grandeur and heartfelt reflection at the 23rd Annual Dinner & Dance, hosted by the Toronto Chapter of its alumni, which itself commemorated its 40th landmark year. The event, held on the night of August 1, Emancipation Day, at the swanky Crystal Fountain Banquet venue in Markham, Ontario, was a fitting tribute to freedom and enduring legacy.

The evening was a vibrant tapestry of nostalgia, camaraderie, and forward-looking aspirations, where Peter Hitchins, president of the St. George’s College Alumni Association Ontario, along with his team who organised the event, outdid themselves in true Georgian spirit, just by the festive culmination of the school’s 175th, the chapter’s 40th and the huge turnout of attendees emphasizing the milestones.

Meanwhile, a poignant highlight of the celebratory occasion was the posthumous bestowal of the Luminary Award upon Dr. G. Raymond Chang OC, OJ, which many came to witness. Dr. Chang, a distinguished figure whose contributions have left an indelible mark, was honoured for his remarkable legacy. He was a Jamaica-born Canadian businessman, philanthropist and from 2006 until 2012, the third chancellor of Toronto Metropolitan University, then Ryerson Polytechnical. He died on July 27, 2014.

Accepting the award on his behalf was his widow, Dr. Donette Chin-Loy Chang, who currently serves as the esteemed Chancellor of Toronto Metropolitan University. The citation for the prestigious award was eloquently read by Dr. Howard Shearer OJ, adding to the gravitas of the moment.

“Indeed, Ray would’ve been so proud tonight … Ray was a recipient of two national honours. He was an Order of Jamaica, and he was an Order of Canada. He’s only the second person in the world to have these honours. The other person is Nelson Mandela.

But though Ray received those highest honours nationally, it was the honours from St. George’s College that he treasured the most. Ray loved St. George’s College and St. George’s College loved Ray.

I want to thank everybody for coming out for Ray. I hear it’s the first of such a huge gathering since you had the St. George’s College ball back in the day,” Chin-Loy Chang said in her acceptance speech, while divulging her strong alliance to the institution because her father, brother and husband all attended there at some point in their lives.

PIVOTAL ROLE

The gala was graced by the presence of several distinguished guests, underscoring the event’s significance. Dale Jones, representing the Jamaican High Commissioner, Marsha Coore-Lobban conveyed greetings on her behalf. Jones was accompanied by his wife, adding a personal touch to the diplomatic presence. Furthermore, Jamaica’s Consul-General, Kurt Davis, also extended greetings from his office, accompanied by his charming wife, Dr. Suzanne Davis. Their attendance highlighted the strong ties between the Jamaican diaspora in Canada and their homeland.

The evening also included a solemn moment of remembrance for the late Don Wehby, OJ, CD, former Group CEO of Grace Kennedy, who passed away on July 26. The tribute underscored the sense of community and shared heritage among attendees. The event also recognised the vital role of its sponsors, with Grace Foods Canada Inc. playing a pivotal role in supporting the gala, demonstrating their continued commitment to community initiatives. President Nimal Amit

Beyond the formal proceedings, the gala lived up to its promised of an evening of vibrant entertainment. The musical ambiance was set by Rayzalution, an all-female band from Toronto, ensuring a lively atmosphere. The night was set to conclude with the energetic beats of DJ Kingjam, who kept the dancing pleasure for attendees in full action. The event’s masters of ceremonies were Past Presidents Andre Gregory and Gary Thompson, who guided the evening’s proceedings with their engaging presence.

Peter Hitchins, in his message, also acknowledged the tireless efforts of the ball planning committee, whose dedication ensured a memorable night. He emphasised that the participation and support from the attendees would significantly contribute to the local Alumni Chapter’s ongoing efforts to support the great institution in Jamaica.

Hitchins noted that The St. George’s College Alumni Association Ontario, was recently renamed to reflect its inclusive composition of all past students, plays a crucial role in fostering connections among alumni and supporting the school’s initiatives in Jamaica.

The 175th-anniversary celebrations of St. George’s College are set to culminate on September 6 with the Monsignor Gladstone Wilson Awards. This ongoing series of events underscores the enduring legacy and vibrant future of St. George’s College and its dedicated alumni chapters worldwide.

Founded in 1850, St. George’s College is one of Jamaica’s oldest and most prestigious boys’ schools, with a rich history of academic excellence and character development. Its alumni have gone on to achieve prominence in various fields globally, embodying the school’s motto, ‘ Ubi Concordia Ibi Victoria’ (Where there is unity, there is victory).