Honouring Lincoln Alexander

Due to his lengthy and diverse career in helping others, it may seem difficult to identify the precise impact that Lincoln Alexander has had throughout his years. One thing is clear: Alexander’s greatness in life cannot be attributed to a single act or position held, but rather his relentless and consistent pursuit of fairness and equality for all. It is an attitude that has driven him to be one of Canada’s most notable public figures and on Jan. 20, Guelph came together to celebrate Alexander’s 90th birthday.

Friends, family and students gathered in the Science Complex’s atrium and were treated to a warm environment complimented by a four-piece band. A certain energy was in the air as Alexander rolled into the atrium, and one could not help but notice that no event, no matter how well organized, could have prepared us for his charismatic approach to everyone who attended.

With a large, genuine smile, Alexander made it his duty to welcome everyone that came to speak to him with unequalled grace and humility. Perhaps more telling of Alexander’s character were the guests’ overall willingness to be near the man who had done so much for Canada, as nearly every person in attendance came forward to shake his hand.

Two keynote speakers, Alistair Summerlee and Mordechai Rozanski, made known why Alexander had been able to accomplish as much as he did. After all, it was no small task to become Canada’s first black Parliament member, Canada’s 24th Lieutenant Governor, and Guelph’s Chancellor in 1991, a position that he held for an unprecedented five terms.

Both Summerlee and Rozanski expressed their gratitude for Alexander’s dedication to the students of Guelph, and also took the time to thank him for the opportunity to work alongside him. They both claimed that they had learned much and would strive to uphold Alexander’s values at the University of Guelph.

When asked what advice he would give to today’s students, Alexander replied, “Study hard and stay out of trouble.”

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