2001 Alumnus of the Year Recipient
Alumnus of the YearNoel Veitch, B.A. (Ed)'59
To hear Noel Veitch tell it, each and every one of his many accomplishments can be attributed solely to the whims of fate.
Popular university professor with 31 years of service: He just happened to be a high school teacher and master's candidate when Memorial began recruiting professors for its fledgling Faculty of Education. It was all the late Dean George Hickman's doing.
One of the founders of Memorial's campus food bank: He just happened to be on a university committee that spearheaded a one-time effort to provide a struggling staff member with a food hamper. That gesture eventually morphed into a full-fledged project. It was all Judy Rose's (former co-ordinator of MUN's employee assistance program) doing.
Marshal of convocation since 1997: He just happened to be caught smiling - not once, but twice - during a somber convocation ceremony (apparently a major breach of etiquette) and was "sentenced" to put his exuberance to better use, relaxing nervous graduates before they took the stage. It was an angry dean's doing.
Founding member of the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra: A lifelong musician, he just happened to be called on to round up musicians for a symphony orchestra that the music specialist with Memorial's Extension Services was organizing. It was the late Nish Rumboldt's doing.
Of course, Noel is just about the only one who thinks his life and work are purely the products of chance. The chorus of voices who chimed in to nominate him for Alumnus of the Year certainly believes otherwise.
"The far reaching and long lasting impact he has had on those he has taught or helped throughout his years as a volunteer and a professor [goes] well beyond and above the call of duty," says one former student.
"Professor Veitch is a true teacher and a compassionate human being," adds another. And this from a colleague: "I believe there are hundreds of people in this city and around the province who have been the beneficiary of his help, fair judgment and kindness who would agree. For my part, I am honoured to have Noel as a good friend."
The Alumnus of the Year award is given annually to a former student of Memorial University who has made significant contributions to the Alumni Association, the university, the community or a particular field of endeavour. It is the most prestigious award that our Alumni Association bestows.
Yet even while Noel admits that the recognition is "a big honour" and that he is "flattered," he maintains, "I am an accident of fate."
"Coming to the university wasn't my choice, but it was one of the biggest breaks of my life. I didn't found the food bank. I didn't found the orchestra. I was there at the time and I helped make it work. But it was just a set of factors and I happened to be there when some of these factors were at play and it influenced my life considerably."