Concordia Shuffle turns 25!
Every fall, for the last quarter-century, members of the Concordia community have treked 6.5 km between the Sir George Williams and Loyola campuses as part of the Shuffle to raise funds for student scholarships and bursaries.
The annual walkathon began in 1990 to encourage Concordians to contribute to the university’s Annual Giving campaign and to build morale.
"Every fall, we continue to introduce new elements to the Shuffle to improve upon previous years. In doing so, we make every effort to stay true to the origins of this beloved Concordia tradition,” says Brad Skog, director of Annual Giving, whose team organizes Shuffle with volunteers. “With the continued support of our dedicated faculty, staff, student and alumni Shufflers, we're hoping to make Shuffle 25 our most memorable yet," he says.
Carole Kleingrib, former director of Annual Giving, recalls how the Shuffle sprung into existence. “We came up with the idea to do a run between both campuses,” she says. “During our brainstorm, our idea evolved into a walkathon.”
Some of the first Shufflers before they leave for Loyola. | Photo: Concordia Records Management and Archives
- Shuffle 25 begins at the Sir George Williams Campus on September 19, 2014, at 1:30 p.m.
- Register now at concordiashuffle.ca
Kleingrib is happy that, 25 years later, the fundraiser continues to support Concordia students. “The objectives of the Shuffle was to engage people, create a sense of community and raise money,” she says. “It was a feel-good event with a purpose.”
Approximately $25,000 was raised at the first Shuffle. Since then, an average of $50,000 is raised at each walkathon and over $1 million has been collected since its inception.
The first-ever Shuffle began downtown with a shot from a starting pistol given by then-rector, Patrick Kenniff.
While she spearheaded organization of the first Shuffle, Kleingrib wasn’t able to participate herself as she and her team were preoccupied with tabulating proceeds that would be announced at the President’s Picnic, which bookends the walkathon to thank its supporters.
Chris Hyde participated in every Shuffle before leaving Concordia in 2000. Hyde, former director of advancement and associate vice-rector, Institutional Relations, says he’s not surprised that the Shuffle has continued.
“From the beginning, the money raised by the Shuffle was to go to student scholarships. That’s a pretty strong moral commitment,” he says. “One of the great things about the Shuffle is how it unites Concordia’s two campuses.”
The first-ever Concordia Shuffle took place in 1990 and departed from the Henry F. Hall Building.