As the December snow gathers on the Gryphon beak, we reflect on the moments that sparked curiosity and captivated the University of Guelph community and beyond.
From milestone anniversaries to groundbreaking research, these are the standout stories that made 2024 a year to remember.
U of G celebrates landmark anniversaries
U of G celebrated its rich history in 2024 through several major anniversaries.
- The University commemorated its 60th anniversary in 2024, honouring decades of academic excellence, community impact and cherished memories made on campus.
- One of U of G’s founding colleges, the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC), celebrated a history that stretches back even further, marking its 150th anniversary in May 2024. OAC has played a pivotal role in shaping education since its establishment in 1874. This photo album collects 150 years of OAC memories.
- The 100th College Royal, U of G’s open house and the largest event of its kind in North America, took place this March, showcasing its deep roots in agriculture and hosting beloved campus-wide traditions.
Dr. Paul Hebert, father of DNA barcoding, receives Benjamin Franklin Award
What if life came with a barcode?
The prestigious Benjamin Franklin Medal for Earth and Environmental Science for 2024 was presented to Dr. Paul Hebert, professor in the College of Biological Science, for making that reality possible.
Just as products are scanned via their barcodes, Hebert’s revolutionary DNA technology uses a tiny fragment of genetic material to identify species with remarkable speed and affordability. His research now drives a global effort to catalogue every form of life on Earth.
Remarkable U of G students chart new beginnings
Making global headlines this year, U of G students shared their successes with the world.
- Track athletes Jacqueline Madogo, Zoe Sherar and Craig Thorne celebrated their Olympic debuts in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Former Gryphon Jesse Zesseu also competed for Team Canada at the 2024 Paralympics, calling U of G “the best track school in Canada.”
- Benjamin Snetsinger told the story of a co-op position that changed his path and led him to become Canada’s first-ever Bachelor of One Health. Now a fierce One Health advocate, Snetsinger reflects on the power of interdisciplinary education as he pursues the next stage of his academic career.
- Madison Hughes, BSc in biomedical toxicology, became U of G’s first McCall MacBain Scholar. Hughes will begin a fully funded master’s in public health as she wraps up her U of G journey as a student leader, cheerleader, tutor and mentor.
- As a mature student, Kelly Hughes from the College of Arts never thought university was for her. She would later win the most prestigious University award for undergraduate students, with her mentors likening her work to that of a seasoned historian.
Bee research leads to media buzz
Discoveries from Drs. Nigel Raine and Sabrina Rondeau took flight in 2024.
- It started with a surprising laboratory accident: a flooded container, in which the queen bees overwintering inside survived. The unexpected finding captured global attention.
- In a second study, the research duo discovered that “bee-safe” pesticides might actually harm wild bees.
- The duo made headlines again when they found queen bees are more likely to hibernate in pesticide-contaminated soil than in clean soil — for reasons scientists don’t fully understand.
These findings upend what we know about bee behaviour, underscoring the need to rethink how we use pesticides in order to protect these essential pollinators.
New programs will prepare students for changing world
U of G launched several innovative and interdisciplinary programs in 2024 that will address growing skill gaps and changes in the global job market.
- The Master of Cybersecurity Leadership and Cyberpreneurship will start fall 2025 as Canada’s first program to combine cybersecurity technical skills with business leadership.
- The new Master of Real Estate launches from the Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics next fall as well. The flexible program prepares students to excel in the Canadian commercial real estate industry with practical skills and knowledge.
- From OAC, the new Master of Sustainable Agriculture launches summer 2025 to train the next wave of sustainability leaders. Learning skills in sustainable agriculture, data analysis and agri-tech, students will become future ready for multiple agricultural career paths.
- “Mechatronics is the future of interdisciplinary engineering careers,” says Dr. Hari Simha, as the School of Engineering prof helps launch the Bachelor of Mechatronics Engineering program coming in fall 2025.
- The upcoming Master of Engineering Management will also launch fall 2025*, preparing students to lead and manage engineering teams. The joint program between U of G’s School of Engineering and Lang School will develop future leaders in multinational engineering and technical enterprises.
*Pending final approvals.
Big plans for new student housing unveiled
A new long-term vision will allow 4,000 more students to call U of G their home.
Over the next 10 years, the University will redevelop two sites to create more than 2,500 beds in mixed-use student housing. That’s in addition to a new first-year student residence announced this year.
OVC’s accessible veterinary care program gets a boost
Kim and Stu Lang contributed a grant of $7 million to renew the Kim and Stu Lang Community Healthcare Partnership Program (CHPP) and Remy’s Fund at the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC).
CHPP aims to remove barriers to health care for companion animals in under-resourced communities. More student veterinarians will be able to lead and support programs that can fulfill this mission.
Maplewoods Centre expands mental health training
This fall saw the start of new master’s programs dedicated to individual and family therapy at the Maplewoods Centre for Family Therapy and Child Psychology.
As the centre works to develop the next generation of mental health care practitioners, graduate students work with real-world clients and learn how to help people live more authentic and fulfilling lives.
“We help [people] access those resources inside themselves that allow them to live their most genuine self,” Maplewoods co-director Kevin VanDerZwet Stafford said.
New U of G cookbook lets readers take home campus favourites
Flavours of Guelph: Cooking in Season, launched by the culinary team at U of G’s Hospitality Services this year, is bringing the magic of campus favourites home.
From comfort foods to innovative dishes, the collection of recipes features U of G classics like Creelman Bake Shop’s banana bread.
Divided by season and sprinkled with the stories behind the creations, the book is available at the U of G bookstore in softcover and hardcover, making it a perfect holiday gift.
College of Arts launches Taylor Swift course
Are you ready for it? The upcoming OpenEd course Icons of Popular Music: Taylor Swift will explore the many ways popular music and culture intersect with art, literature, gender, race, religion, politics, the economy, the law and more.
Registration details can be found here.
