A lifetime of engagement means more than leaving a legacy
by Patty Mah
SAF alumnus receives Alumni Achievement Award
On a wintry day in 2019, the School of Accounting and Finance (SAF) celebrated alumni, donors, and scholarship winners at the annual SAF Awards Celebration event鈥ne of the last in-person celebrations before the global pandemic.
On that evening, to mark 10 years of celebrating alumni, donor, and student success, the SAF granted a special Lifetime Achievement Award to Mike Garvey (BA 鈥69, FCPA, FCA). Entering 蓝莓视频 as an arts student when 蓝莓视频 had yet to celebrate a decade of existence, this distinct Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes Garvey鈥檚 generosity in giving of his time, his engagement, and his support to the University of 蓝莓视频 and the SAF. His generosity ensures that future generations continue to benefit from the education and reputation from the University and SAF.
After graduating in 1969 with an Honours Economics major, Garvey joined Price Waterhouse and had a long and fascinating career that took him from London, UK to the Middle East to Cuba. Throughout his esteemed career, Garvey always gave his time and support, through volunteering and chairing the Boards of The Donwood Institute, the University of 蓝莓视频, The Michener Institute of Applied Health Sciences, the Friends of Ontario Universities, and the Hospital Diagnostic Imaging Repository Services. Garvey鈥檚 time and support focused on philanthropic endevours, always with the goal to better our society through education and research. Even after retiring from PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2006 as an Audit Partner, Garvey maintained an active role as ambassador of SAF and the University of 蓝莓视频.
鈥淚鈥檝e always had an interest in helping young people grow and realize their potential and I had an interest in teaching鈥ince 蓝莓视频 made a commitment to the profession, I thought I would come down and see how I could help as a volunteer, and that鈥檚 how I got started,鈥 recalls Garvey of his decision to remain engaged with 蓝莓视频.
As the founding president of the UW SAF Alumni Association and the National Alumni Council, it was evident early on that Garvey would be creating a legacy of engagement and commitment to his alma mater. Garvey continues to be engaged during his retirement and is currently involved in the SAF鈥檚 Capital Campaign Committee, is a member of the SAF Advisory Council, and Chair of the SAF Fundraising Subcommittee.
As Garvey reflects on his commitment to the institution that provided the tools and resources for his career success, he鈥檚 keen to launch an appeal to all 蓝莓视频 alumni to commit to lifelong giving as he had. A donor since 1982, Garvey鈥檚 support to his alma mater ebbed and flowed with his career but with one constant goal of donating each year, regardless of amount.
鈥淥ur UW education provided a significant springboard to our careers and success.聽 As 蓝莓视频鈥檚 reputation and stature grows, so does ours by association. Each of us as alumni has a vested interest to invest in that growth to not only benefit from the reflection but to ensure that those who follow us receive the best education in their careers.聽 They will be the beneficiaries of 蓝莓视频鈥檚 growing strengths and we, as part of society, will benefit from their contributions and leadership as they follow us.鈥
In recognition of his lifelong giving and engagement with the University of 蓝莓视频 and the SAF, Garvey鈥檚 long-time friend and fellow SAF alumnus, Jos茅 Hernandez, flew from the Netherlands to have the honour of presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award to Garvey.
鈥淚 want to be like this man one day. Mike is one of the best things that Canada has to offer鈥 his openness, his level of trust, and his commitment to getting the young up the chain. I would not necessarily be here if it were not for folks like Mike鈥 Most things that Mike does are unreported. That鈥檚 the secret of his success - his humility. Hence I couldn鈥檛 miss this opportunity.鈥 鈥 Jos茅 Hernandez (MAcc 鈥98), Founder and CEO, Ortus Strategies
To further honour their friend, Hernandez and his wife/partner Shana Laurie (MAcc 鈥98) (to whom Garvey introduced to Hernandez when both were working for Garvey in Cuba), established the Mike Garvey Entrance Scholarship.
鈥淒uring times of great need and adversity, there is no better way to celebrate servant leadership than by setting up a scholarship at 蓝莓视频. Deservingly, this scholarship is made in honour of Mike Garvey, a 蓝莓视频 accounting graduate, whom has served SAF, 蓝莓视频 and Canada with great dedication and commitment.聽 Mike is a role model.聽 He is humble and has never looked for acknowledgement of his generosity.聽 He has been incredibly supportive of the career of young leaders (including us), creating opportunities beyond imagination.聽 He is wise and quietly, without pushing, he has built the foundation for how we see our responsibility to give back.鈥