Daniel Jarvis, Artsci'72, has a commitment to philanthropy and community service that has spanned decades. But for Jarvis, that commitment has always been built upon a belief that everyone has something to offer.
“It’s important that we’re not islands,” Jarvis notes. “It’s important that we engage in our communities, that we participate. That can mean different things depending on your skill set, but all of us have something we can contribute.”
Jarvis’s contributions include financially supporting several programs focusing on students in the Economics Department at Queen’s and leadership in his home community of Vancouver by mentoring entrepreneurs. He serves on the boards of many cultural, educational, and tourism organizations, and his longstanding association with the Union Gospel Mission, located in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, illustrate his commitment to the greater Vancouver community. For these efforts, he is this year’s recipient of the Kathleen Beaumont Hill Award.
Created in 2009, the Kathleen Beaumont Hill Award celebrates the dedication and generosity of Kathleen Beaumont Hill, BA'50, to her alma mater and her community. The award is presented annually to an individual who best exemplifies her outstanding service, passionate advocacy, dedicated support, and contributions to the betterment of Queen’s and Canada.
For Jarvis, the award was unexpected, but also an honour because of what it represents.
“Often awards are things that we’re consciously striving for,” he explains. “But I did these things because I believed they were important.”
He credits his time at Queen’s with fostering his sense of commitment while also encouraging him to think differently. At university, he studied economics and it changed how he looked at the world and approached society’s problems. “Queen’s is that kind of place, it has the potential to change your path,” he observes.
Jarvis’s career and volunteer paths converge in multiple ways. One way is the value he places on building a strong team. He believes that truly collaborative teams can tackle any challenges they face, whether in business or in society.
“Risk-taking is a team sport,” he says “But the rewards are there for risk-taking. You can create new things, big things, to effect positive change."
The 2022 Kathleen Beaumont Hill Award ceremony will take place from 6-9 pm on June 1 at the Vancouver Club in Vancouver for alumni and guests.
