Andy Faas hopes the St. Clair building that now bears his name will be the site of “civil, emotionally intelligent dialogue and relationship-building” for many years to come.
On September 17, the Student Centre at the college’s Chatham Campus has named in honour of the school’s long-time benefactor.
St. Clair President Patti France laid out Faas’ background in her remarks to the audience who gathered for the sign-unveiling ceremony:
Two numerals seem to be associated with the relationship between St. Clair College and Andy Faas.
First, there is the number “two”. Andy graduated from the college in 1972 in Business Administration. And, apparently, he learned his lessons well in that program. Over the next two decades, he climbed the executive ladder at the Weston/Loblaw Group and, subsequently, at Shoppers Drug Mart – from which he, eventually, retired as its Executive Vice-President and Managing Partner.
In 1992 – there’s the number “two”, again – his many professional achievements and philanthropy led St. Clair to name him one of our “Alumni of Distinction”; and as one of St. Clair’s first nominees for the annual Premier’s Awards which recognize, in province-wide fashion, exemplary graduates of Ontario’s college system.
The other number that runs through Andy’s history with his alma mater is eight.
In 2008, as we were launching our capital fundraiser to build the SportsPlex in Windsor and the HealthPlex in Chatham, Andy kicked off that effort in a big way, donating one million dollars to the campaign to construct the new athletic facilities.
And now, in 2018, we gather today to honour him – in a literally concrete fashion – with the dedication of this building in his name …
… The best architectural choice to honour his support of the college was this beautiful Student Centre, which was expanded and renovated by the student council at the Chatham Campus (Thames Students Incorporated/TSI) just a few years ago. It was the most fitting choice because:
• It pays tribute to Andy close to his home-town of Dresden;
• It reflects the fact that Andy was an active student government member himself when he was at the college; and
• Most of all, because this Student Centre’s function, the role of student organizations at the college, and Andy’s contributions to the college all share one thing in common: namely, enhancing the well-being of students at St. Clair, by providing them with an atmosphere of support and friendship.
Andy has offered an unprecedented degree of support and friendship to his alma mater, without reservation, for several decades.
Today’s event is our way of expressing our deep gratitude for that, and our esteem for one of our most treasured graduates.
In his remarks, Faas noted that the function of the Student Centre and one of the goals of his philanthropic foundation were identical: to develop environments that foster open, healthy and non-threatening communication.
In modern-day politics, business and many other human interactions, he noted, there is currently a glaring – and dangerous – shortage of civility.
The current mood of confrontation is not psychologically or sociologically healthy, individually or collectively, and it’s damaging to democracy too, he said.
Welcoming facilities and gathering places – such as Student Centres – should serve as sites that encourage civil conversations, respectful dialogues, the development of individual and group reciprocity, and the building of healthy relationships based upon “emotional intelligence”.
For more information about Faas’ work in the fields of emotional wellness, “psychologically safe workplaces” and anti-bullying, see his foundation’s website at http://www.faasfoundation.org/.
The Chatham Campus’ Student Centre was developed in 2016. TSI renoved 9,600 square feet of existing and new space at a cost of over $2.3 million. The features include an expanded cafeteria and seating area, quiet study areas, a boardroom and large meeting space, as well as a furnished outdoor patio area. The lounge area includes a big-screen television, pool, ping-pong and foosball tables, as well as tables, chairs and couches for relaxing.
