Gerard Buss , BA / 73

Gerard Buss has been an absolutely dedicated volunteer with the Carleton University Alumni Association since 1989.

He started out as a key member of the Ottawa Branch, helping organize events for homecoming, including a 10 kilometre charity run.

In 1992, he joined the association’s executive council as affinity services chair, where he negotiated significant agreements with partners like Meloche Monnex, and helped bring in substantial revenue to students and alumni programming on campus.

Serving as president of the alumni association from 2001-2008, he implemented two of the biggest alumni programs in Carleton history.

First, there was the precedent-setting $2.5-million alumni pledge to support the construction of the Alumni Hall and Sports Centre. He made the key philanthropic decision to direct revenue from alumni unrestricted giving and affinity programs to the building.

He also helped launch the Alumni Giveback program, through which Carleton graduates are making meaningful contributions to scholarships and bursaries just by buying a ticket to one of the many alumni events.

As CUAA past-president, Gerard continues to stay involved in alumni and university programs and act as one of the university’s finest ambassadors.