Garry Cubitt '67 - Volunteer profile

For Garry Cubitt, countless leadership volunteer hours for Trent University have generated incredible memories that make him grateful for the chance to give his time.

“I have seen the graduate that is filled with optimism and enthusiasm for their future and the reward in just seeing them is more than I can put into words,” he says. “I often watch students and speculate on just what great things they may accomplish in their lives and to know one has been even a small part of that is very rewarding.”

He grew up watching his parents volunteer and setting an example that he would follow with incredible passion and results.

“I think one of the key inspirations for me is a sense of gratitude,” he says. “I have been so fortunate to have had a caring family, received an excellent education, received the support, coaching and mentoring of others, been able to live and work within my community. To recognize that by finding ways and means of sharing time, talents, or resources, to ensure that others may also have these positive experiences in their lives, is for me an expression of that gratitude.”

Garry enrolled at Trent in September 1967 and graduated in 1971 with an Honours bachelor’s degree in science (Psychology). After an impressive career, he retired two years ago as Chief Administrative Officer for the Regional Municipality of Durham. However, he continues to serve on the Trent Durham Community Advisory Committee, Trent’s Board of Governors and Trent Durham Campaign, among several other organizations.

“There is no question that I am also motivated, or inspired, by the joy I have received from my volunteer work,” Garry says. “I have met and made friendships with so many wonderful people that I doubt I would ever have met had it not been for volunteering with them. Often the members of the community with whom we have worked, or the students we have served, have inspired me as I learn from them and they have added a richness to my life.”

His goal is to make the world a better place -- one step, or one life, at a time – often with the life-changing power and gift of education. He seeks ways to ensure it is high quality, accessible and affordable.

“Volunteering takes many different forms,” Garry says. “Sometimes, it is financial; other times, it may be labour, or advocacy work, while in other instances it may centre on policy, community change, organizational leadership, and at others more personal in the form of teaching, mentoring and coaching.”

All of these approaches empower people, helps them see opportunities to reach their potential and actualize their goals, or makes their life experience more positive, he adds.

“By being there for others, I believe we set a stage that makes the world better for all,” Garry says. “I hope that when we volunteer, we set an example that others will want to follow.”

In addition to having received the Trent Distinguished Alumni Award and several top volunteer awards in Durham and Ontario, Garry also has an honourary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology. He also has a volunteer award named in his honour at the Region of Durham.

Garry also volunteers with the Durham Region United Way, the Board of the Oshawa Senior Citizens Centres (where he has a lifetime honourary appointment), the Durham College Foundation Board, Northminster United Church in Oshawa, and as Vice-Chair of the Durham Regional Police Services Board.

He leveraged his experience in large organizational management, government systems, social policy, advocacy for change, strategic and action planning, and his knowledge of the community of Durham to facilitate the presence of the new campus expansion at Trent Durham. Garry was able to use his years of experience in the municipal sector to facilitate the building of supportive and financial partnerships with the community, which played a significant role in making that build possible.

To see the student enrolment growth and the enthusiasm for Trent Durham has been a great outcome, he says. Being part of the successful Trent Durham Campaign was particularly rewarding for this long-time volunteer.

“No matter what skills may be called upon, I suspect all volunteers are motivated by, and come prepared to share, their caring, enthusiasm, passion, and commitment to the cause, issue or organization in which they are working,” he adds.

He is also motivated by seeing what can be accomplished with partnerships and team efforts of the group, such as the success of building a college, or starting a new university, or ensuring a great and positive future for existing institutions.

“These efforts help to ensure that others can share in the positive benefits of education which I have been fortunate to enjoy,” he says. “Just knowing you played even a small part in making these things happen is rewarding.”

At the same time, he has been an active member of the Board of Governors for six years and played a part in ensuring, along with the great staff team at Trent, that Trent remains fiscally sound, that the Trent Lands are respectfully and positively used, that the great legacy of Trent is never forgotten.

He takes pride in knowing that students can always celebrate the ‘difference’ of their education having been at Trent, that the wonderful campuses are supported through things like the library project, the student centre, and the continual attention to detail all make Trent a place of choice for a high quality educational experience.

“Being a part of the Trent Board has been an experience for which I will ever be grateful,” Garry says. “Trent is a wonderful university and to have been able to play a part in its future is a wonderful gift. As I said before, one tends to gain far more from the volunteer journey than what one can contribute. I can only hope that my volunteering at Trent has brought some value to Trent.”