keeping in touch
Fred Nichols: celebrating 50 years at Laurier by Katherine Sage
For half a century, former dean of students Fred Nichols has walked the halls of Laurier, lifting the spirit of the university with every step. With his cheerful greetings, endless supply of hugs and readiness to lend a hand to anyone in need, Nichols has touched the lives of thousands of Laurier students. He has also made hundreds of lifelong friends. During Homecoming weekend in September, more than 300 of those friends gathered at the Waterloo Inn to pay tribute to Nichols and celebrate his 50th anniversary at the university. Over the course of his career at Laurier, Nichols has been an unfailing champion of student leadership. He has had a major role in building the university’s successful framework of student engagement, and he has tirelessly supported Laurier’s commitment to provide personal care and attention to its students. “Laurier is well-known for our culture of student leadership, which creates such strong confidence in our graduates,” says Rob Donelson, vice-president: Development and Alumni Relations. “Fred has been our biggest champion in encouraging Laurier students to set their goals high and to believe in their ability to succeed.” In 1963, Nichols came to Ontario from West Virginia with his wife Marlene and three young boys to become the university’s activities director. Five years later he was named dean of students. For the next 30 years, he kept a watchful eye on the activities of student organizations, the athletics programs and the student residences, as well as managing student employment opportunities, student discipline, and access to health services, counselling services, financial aid and student awards. Nichols also created the Dean’s Advisory Council, allowing students the opportunity to oversee student discipline, and founded BACCHUS (Boosting Alcohol Consciousness
Concerning the Health of University Students) at Laurier, which was the first university in Canada to implement the program. He also served on 30 university committees, and oversaw the financing and architectural plans for the new Student Union Building. He did it all while involving students in every possible aspect. In 1995, Maclean’s magazine dubbed Nichols the “surrogate grandfather to thousands” in its annual University Rankings edition. In 1996, he was honoured with the Student Affairs Recognition Award from the Canadian Association of College and University Student Services. In 1997, after intense student lobbying, the Student Union Building was renamed The Fred Nichols Campus Centre in his honour. Nichols calls it one of the proudest moments of his life. Although he officially retired 15 years ago, Nichols has stayed on at Laurier to work in the department of Development and Alumni Relations. In his new fundraising role, he has helped to raise millions of dollars for the university. At the age of 80, Nichols still shows up for work each morning with a cheerful outlook, encouraging words, and a love of Laurier that inspires everyone around him. “To me, retiring is another word for quitting and that is something I cannot do,” says Nichols. “Whatever I can do for the university is more or less pay back for all the good things my family has enjoyed over the years, provided by the university. If ever I get the feeling that I am not useful, helpful or appreciated by those in charge then I might feel differently. So for now, health permitting, I think I will just stick around as long as I feel needed — and eventually expire instead of deciding to retire.”
LAURIER CAMPUS Winter 2012
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