Shuffle's unifying power
Although Loyola College merged with Sir George Williams University in 1974 to become Concordia University, some long-time faculty members and staff say the institution’s true union happened with the advent of the Shuffle in 1990.
That’s how associate professor of economics Dan Otchere sees it. He’s been at the university for almost four decades. “Every year, in the fall, students, faculty and staff come together as a community to walk from Sir George Williams to Loyola Campus,” says Otchere. “I always thought that this walk was a good embodiment of the spirit of the two campuses.”
It wasn’t a coincidence that Jay Mazzamauro, BComm 10, began working at Concordia in 1990, the same year as the initial Shuffle. “I was always looking for a community event like this because I love the idea of community engagement,” Mazzamauro says.
As manager of payroll in Human Resources, Mazzamauro’s work requires him to make many phone calls to staff across different departments. He’s able to put those names to faces during the annual Shuffle. “Every year, I meet someone new during the walk,” he says.
Mazzamauro has also seen families grow during this annual gathering. “Since I started Shuffling, I have watched my friend Serge Bergeron and his wife literally build their family — one kid, two kids, three. Now they have six!”
The Shuffle also helps participants remember loved ones lost from the community. “In the beginning, I used to walk with my wife, Freda, because she was a librarian at Concordia, but she passed away in 2004,” says Otchere.
Now Otchere Shuffles with friends. “But walking with me isn’t easy — my friends know that I maintain a particular pace during the walk,” he quips.
Whether they Shuffle together on roller blades or jog, sociology and anthropology professors and husband-and-wife William Reimer and Frances Shaver usually make connections with different groups walking along the route.
“There are not that many opportunities where you can meet other students, faculty and staff outside your department,” says Reimer. “It’s really important to develop those cross-departmental relationships.”
Shaver adds, “This allows Concordians to get connected to the university in a broad sense.”
Shaver views the Shuffle as a platform for the Concordia community to develop networks. “You never know who you are going to meet at this event. The Shuffle can help students learn about services offered or even schmooze up their professor to get a letter of reference.”
Aside from the Shuffle being an excellent meeting place, Reimer, Shaver, Mazzamauro and Otchere agree that it’s an important event to kick off the year. “It’s an efficient way to raise funds for students, because they are the reason we are here,” says Otchere.
Adds Reimer: “As a faculty member, I feel that the Shuffle is no different than convocation — I have a responsibility to the university to attend.”
Shuffle 23 takes place on Friday, September 28. Kick-off begins at 1 p.m. in the Abe and Harriet Gold Atrium of the Engineering, Computer Science and Visual Arts Integrated Complex (1515 Ste-Catherine St. W.).
Related links:
• Shuffle 23
• Concordia Shuffle unites family
• Shuffle 23 - Sponsor a Shuffler
• Shuffle 23 - Register/Login