The following story is part of our Volunteer Spotlight series, celebrating alumni and Queen’s friends whose time, leadership, and dedication strengthen the Queen’s community here and around the world. Through these stories, we recognize the many ways volunteers contribute – through mentorship, branch leadership, advocacy, events, and beyond. By sharing their experiences, we hope to express our gratitude, highlight the impact of volunteer engagement, and inspire others to get involved.
Today we’re talking to Andrew Pipe, Arts’71, Meds’74, LLD’01, a researcher, Order of Canada recipient, and member of the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame. An esteemed alumnus, Dr. Pipe has made a global difference in public health and sports medicine while always remaining committed to Queen’s. We asked him about the power of volunteering, and what keeps him coming back to campus.
You have filled many volunteer roles with Queen’s over the years, including serving on University Council and the Board of Trustees. This fall, you’re focused on organizing your Arts’71 class reunion, marking 55 years since graduation. Why do you give so much of your time?
I just frankly don’t think I can ever repay the debt I owe to Queen’s University. The transformational experiences that I had there have allowed me to have a career that I could never have foreseen the sorts of experiences and opportunities that subsequently unfolded. They are all directly attributable not only to my formal education at Queen’s but as importantly, to the fact that I had exposure to student government, to intercollegiate sports, to a whole raft of experiences that have served me well, and not the least of which is the incredible, fascinating array of friends that I assembled at Queen’s, whose friendships continued and are not bounded in any way by space or time.
You will see some of those friends at Homecoming in October. What do you find fun about the annual event?
I can only speak for myself, but I sense it’s also true for many of my classmates, it’s the people. It’s the fact that we are able to reconnect with individuals who were as much a part of our education as that which we received in classrooms or lecture halls. The most delightful aspect of reunions is you find yourself having a conversation with someone you may not have seen for decades but it’s as if you last talked to them two days ago. There is such a deep sense of shared affection for the institution and the memories that we are able to summon of our times there that are a catalyst for phenomenal experiences.
It’s been a few decades since you left Queen’s, but you do go back often. For someone who has never re-visited campus, what can they expect to see if they attend Homecoming this year?
It’s interesting for me to wander around the campus and identify the buildings that were there when I arrived, and the buildings that weren’t there when I graduated. Everything from the new library, to the new student activity centre, I think those attending reunions will find it fascinating to explore the new facilities, spectacular world class facilities, that just add immeasurably to the quality of the Queen’ s experience.
It sounds like you recommend alumni make a trip to Kingston?
I would recommend that any graduate of Queen’s make an effort to get to a reunion because they will be astonished at the flood of memories that unfold and the friendships which you recognize and realize. Reunions are rich experiences in every sense of the word.
What would you say to encourage graduates to volunteer or otherwise engage with the alumni community?
Given what I see, as being pretty universal affection for the institution, and recognition of what it contributed to one’s own life and career, one of the best ways that you can get involved with the university is to continue to support it. I would urge everybody to consider that it is a privilege and in some ways part of being part of the Queen’s family to ensure that the university is well served and is supported financially and in other ways by its graduates. I would encourage any Queen’s graduate to attend a reunion and I would encourage people to become involved in Queen’s alumni activities, which take place in communities across the country.
Email reunions@queensu.ca to get involved in organizing your next reunion. Join us on campus this year to celebrate Homecoming 100!
