There’s no doubt about it. Gavin Marshall is one proud Queen’s alumnus. But the Perth, Ontario, resident is an even prouder Queen’s parent. Gavin and his wife Susan (Brady) Marshall, Ed’80, have four children, two of them now attending Queen’s: daughter Paige, ConEd’11, and son Alex, ConEd’14.

When Paige began her studies at Queen’s four years ago, it was the catalyst for Gavin to reconnect with his alma mater. “I believe passionately in the institution that is Queen’s – the reputation, the tradition, the value it puts on education, and its potential to continue to do extraordinary things,” he says.

Queen’s booster extraordinaire Gavin Marshall, MBA’82

Concerned that government funding for postsecondary institutions in Canada is decreasing, Gavin—who is the CEO of Perth-based Magenta Mortgage Investment Corporation —was searching for a meaningful way to make a difference. “I believe universities play a critical role in the advancement of the human journey, and we can’t afford to let that slide,” he says.

Having a daughter at Queen’s inspired him to set up a scholarship fund in her honour. “Paige and I have shared and rejoiced in life’s journey together, and our shared Queen’s experience is a precious and integral part of that,” he explains. “It was also Paige who inspired me to create the Paige Marshall Admission Award, which was awarded to three Queen’s freshmen for the first time this year.”

Gavin also wanted to do something beyond giving financially. Working with Annual Giving development officer Lisa Riley, he has assumed a volunteer role as Parent Adviser for Leadership Development.

Gavin is assisting with support and guidance as the Annual Giving team moves towards a more personal face-to-face approach with Queen’s parents(All non-alumni parents of Queen’s students are members of a Parents Association.) “I was a working class kid who started school in a one- room schoolhouse that had no indoor plumbing,” he says. “By some measures, I’ve achieved an elevated level of success and affluence. I couldn’t have achieved this without having been given the opportunity of a university education. I had this opportunity because I stood on the shoulders of giants who were public- minded — who chose to give back. In this I’m not alone. I’ve got a responsibility to give back. We all do.”

If you would like more information about establishing a fund like Gavin’s, please contact: Lisa Riley, Development Officer, Leadership Gifts, 1-800-267-7837, ext. 78959, or email lisa.riley@queensu.ca