Chronology of Dates & Accomplishments

This is a list of the many events and projects we have supported as Alumni since 1992.

1992 – The GCVI Alumni Association was established.

1994 – The Alumni Association held GCVI’s 140th Reunion on May 27 and 28.

1995 – The 140th Reunion profits supported:

• paying off the outstanding debt on the Auditorium Arch Restoration Project
• the building of display cases in the Auditorium Arch entry
• the purchase of adjustable display stands to display student work
• the purchase of athletic banners to be hung in the gym to recognize past championship teams
• framed additional pictures for the school Wall of Fame
• framed  significant pictures from the Archives

1995 – The first annual Alumni newsletter “The GCVI Gazette”  was printed in the Spring.

1996 – The unveiling of the school’s Wall of Fame took place on October 24, 1996. The project was initiated by Librarian Bill McKinnie and teacher, Debbie Shaw. The Wall of Fame acknowledges and recognizes the significant contributions of GCVI Alumni.  The GCVI Alumni Association continues to sponsor the Wall of Fame inductees.

1998 – The GCVI Alumni Fund was set up with the Wellington Learning Foundation to allow Alumni to make financial contributions to the Alumni Association and receive a tax receipt.

1999 – The Alumni Association’s website was created.

2001– A Wine & Cheese party was held April 28, 2001 with proceeds used as initial start up funds for the planning of the 150th Anniversary Reunion in 2004.

2002 – A Wine & Cheese party was held on November 9, 2002 with proceeds used to help plan the 150th Anniversary Reunion in 2004.

2004 – The Alumni Association held GCVI’s 150th Reunion on May 28, 29 and 30. The 150th Anniversary Reunion profits supported:

• Acta Nostra
• creating our Coat of Arms
• painting of four Principal portraits
• updating of the Athletic Banners hung in the gym to recognize past championship teams
• restoration of the Grand Piano
• purchasing of fitness equipment for the GCVI Fitness Centre
• purchase of a display case
• creating the Alumni Association Scholarship Fund to fund The Durrant Cane and The George Penfold Memorial Prize
• Supported the Veteran and Donor Brick Program and purchased a brick to commemorate the sacrifice of Canadian WWII veterans, at the Juno Beach Centre.  The brick is placed on the walls of a Kiosk on the Project’s property on the beach of Courseulles-sur-Mer.

2007 – The Armorial Bearings of The Guelph Collegiate-Vocational Institute was granted by Robert Douglas Watt, Chief Herald of  Canada on January 15, 2007. The Armorial Bearings was unveiled on October 4, 2007.  The original concept of Darrel Kennedy, class of ‘65, Assiniboine Herald, assisted by the Heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority, delivered the proclamation.  The grant of Arms, Supporters, Flags and Badge is framed and displayed in the main corridor of GCVI.

2008 – The spot where the 2004 Time Capsule was buried in the Japanese Gardens was marked with a plate stating that the Time Capsule would be open on GCVI’s 175th Anniversary in 2029.

2008 – The Armorial Bearings included two flags for GCVI.  The flag for the school and flag for Student Council were made.  The flag for the school was presented to Principal Judy Sorbara and the flag for Student Council (GCVI Student Senate) was presented to Senate Chair, Chantel Jandard at the GCVI Awards Assembly on May 29, 2008. The school flag is mounted on the proscenium wall framing the stage.  The flag was mounted in time for Commencement in November 2008.

2009 – Oil Paintings of former Principals were completed by John Mahnic the Art Department Head and a very talented artist.  The paintings were presented in June, 2009.  Portraits of Judy Sorbara, Bob Bradstock, David Euale and William Scott now hang with great pride alongside former Principal portraits.  Oil Paintings were discontinued after Mr. Reid as the cost of oil paintings became too expensive.

2014 – The Alumni Association held GCVI’s 160th Anniversary Reunion on May 23 & 24. The profits supported:

• Completion of the Outdoor Arch Project
• McCrae Statue Fundraising Project (this Maquette, bronze model of Lt. Col. John McCrae is located on the grounds of the Guelph Civic Museum)

Reunion donations supported:

• gym scoreboards
• school landscaping
• outdoor classroom
• scholarships
• trophy cases
• war plaques
• outdoor arch project
• archives
• bell restoration

2016 – The annual distribution of the Alumni newsletter “The GCVI Gazette” was discontinued. With our database of approximately 2,000 email addresses, it became too time consuming to continue mass emailing. Articles of interest will be placed on this website.

2019 –  The purchase of the Principals portrait plaque contains the names of all our Headmasters and Principals and has been placed by the Principals portrait Wall in the school’s main corridor.

2019-  Three members of the Guelph C.V.I. Alumni Executive received the Ontario Volunteer Service Award for 25 years of volunteer service to the Alumni Association: Judy Pavlis, Bob Hohenadel, Wendy Darroch.