McGill Alumni Portal

Campus Community event keeps former faculty and staff fit and healthy

A wonderful learning experience was had by the more than 300 current and former McGill faculty and staff who attended the Campus Community Committee’s “Chasing the Fountain of Youth Through Diet and Exercise: Facts and Fallacies” on June 9.

The special symposium designed to help McGillians stay active and informed during their golden years, is the latest in a series of exciting Campus Community activities, designed to build camaraderie across both campuses and rally support for Campaign McGill, the University’s ambitious $750-million fundraising initiative.

Many current and former faculty and staff who attended the symposium seemed eager to reconnect with colleagues and learn more about proper nutrition and exercise. “The whole atmosphere was incredible,” said Librarian Emerita Marilyn Berger, BA’52, MLS’83, who worked at McGill for more than 35 years. “Everyone had a lot of fun and ate up the information that was presented.”

Honore Kerwin-Borrelli, MEd’02, an administrative officer for the McGill Association of University Teachers, echoed Berger’s point. “Getting McGill retirees together and interacting with one another is important and really helps to build a sense of community here at the University,” she said.

Hosted in partnership with McGill Human Resources and the Retirees’ Section of the McGill Association of University Teachers (MAUT), the event offered the unique chance to hear from expert Dr. Joe Schwarcz, BSc’69, PhD’74, Director of McGill’s Office of Science and Society and host of the Dr. Joe Schwarcz Show on CJAD radio, as well as fitness guru Jill Barker, Manager of Communications (McGill Athletics and Recreation) and Montreal Gazette Fitness Columnist.

After the presentations, guests were invited to enjoy complimentary snacks and learn about the range of programs, services and activities that McGill has available for retired employees. The groups represented included Human Resources (Pensions and Benefits), the MAUT Retirees’ Section, McGill Libraries, the McGill Community for Lifelong Learning, Bequests and Planned Giving, and of course, the Campus Community Committee itself.

Campus Community Campaign Manager Meira Terk is pleased with the turnout and hopes this event is the first of many that will continue to draw McGill retirees back to the University. “After all,” she said, “retiring from McGill doesn’t have to mean that you are no longer part of our community.”

To see photos from the event, please visit our Flickr Album.