Sixty Years Strong: How Carleton’s Commerce Class of ‘65 Turned Friendship into a Lasting Legacy
In September of 1962, a group of newly minted Carleton University undergraduates started their Commerce program as strangers. By Christmas, first term exams would reduce the frosh class size of 70 by half, and three years later, the Commerce Class of ‘65 would cross the Convocation stage bonded for life.
“They were very welcoming people,” said Bruce Gordan, BCom/65, who came to Carleton from Toronto, making him one of the few ‘out-of-towners’ in the class. “Because it was a small class, we got to know each other very well. They helped me find my way around. We helped each other with our classes.”
After graduation, the classmates spread out into the world with many heading to Toronto, while some remained in Ottawa. However, because of the closeness they developed as students, they remained in contact with each other.
“When we went out and started to make our way in life, we separated,” said Peter Nash, BCom/65. “I kept running into guys and said why don’t we get together. So, I organized the first one.”
The group would reunite for Christmas lunches and attend Blue Jays baseball games together. These traditions would carry on for the decades that followed and the friendships they formed at Carleton grew stronger.
It wasn’t only social gatherings that strengthened their bond. Members of the Class of ‘65 would also cross paths in their professional lives.
“A bunch of us went on to take our Chartered Accountant designation after graduation; there must be 10 to 12 of us. The connections from Carleton continued with accountancy,” said Gordon. “It gave us the opportunity to stay in touch.”
Members of the Class of ‘65 led highly successful careers, many becoming partners in accounting firms or leading their own businesses. Carleton’s business school bears the name of Eric Sprott, BCom/65, who is a well-known investor, entrepreneur and philanthropist.
Throughout the years, the Class of ‘65 has maintained their connection to Carleton University, celebrating graduation milestones and giving back to the institution where it all began. Many of the classmates have given generously as donors to support scholarships and programs that allow our students to thrive.
Yesterday, the Class of ‘65 returned to Carleton for their 60th milestone reunion and to establish a new legacy – an endowed award that will celebrate their ongoing connection to Carleton and each other, the new Commerce Class of ’65 Eric Sprott Award.
Awarded annually, this substantial award will provide financial support to an outstanding undergraduate student in their final year at the Sprott School of Business. This individual will have demonstrated leadership and a generosity of spirit during their time at Carleton, having had an impact on their classmates and/or in the broader community.
Their goal is to give a deserving student a head start as they are about to embark on their career. The classmates announced this new award at an event attended by a group of engaged Sprott students, who could be future recipients.
“We wanted to make a permanent contribution to the University, and this was a way we could do it – by establishing an award that would be there after we’re gone. We wanted to encourage students to volunteer and support other people, which is very important when you graduate,” said Nash.
Nash and Gordon both expressed hope that students today feel they can lean on their classmates and professors the way they were able to during their time at Carleton.
“Even though Carleton is much bigger now than when I attended, I am hoping business students can find a way to stay in touch. You tend to need a few people who were close friends going to Carleton to say let’s stay together,” said Gordon.
Nash also shared the following advice to Sprott students:
“If things get tough, don’t lose hope. When you’re at the bottom, look up to the top and just keep hoping. That’s all you can do. And don’t ever forget your friends.”
When asked to summarize his time at Carleton, Nash replied:
“It was the best time of my life.”
