The legacy of Leo Smits

Leo Smits is a towering figure in the history of the University of Guelph-Humber.

But the former professor and founding Family and Community Social Services program head was far from imposing.

“His genuine warmth, caring and compassion for his students was something that he demonstrated both as a professor and a program head,” recalled Tristan Gerrie, FCSS student and recently elected VP Operations for the Guelph-Humber Student Association.

Gerrie co-organized the next Thursday's GHSA memorial for Smits with Christian Mangar, a Justice Studies student and recently re-elected GHSA president.

Though memorials have taken place at Humber College and University of Guelph, pointed out Gerrie, holding one for the University of Guelph-Humber community was important. “He was such a strong advocate for our program and helped to design the curriculum that became the FCSS program,” Gerrie offered, adding that as a teacher “Leo was open to discussing any concern, no matter how large or small, and worked  to collaborate and come up with a positive solution.”

Ron Stansfield, who teaches in the Justice Studies program, worked with Leo Smits for eight years at the University of Guelph-Humber and, before that, for 18 years at Humber College. Naturally, a friendship formed.

“Leo's most enduring trait was his humility,” noted Stansfield, who recalled the casual way Smits revealed he played guitar. “[A]fter much prodding [he] disclosed he had played for a short time with Lighthouse, one of Canada's premier rock groups during the ’70s, including on their recording of One Fine Morning.”

When the friends played squash together the first time, the matches went decidedly in Smits’ favour. “I didn't score a point and after 30 minutes of play I was ready to be carted off the court,” recalled Stansfield.

Turned out Smits was a skilled squash player ranked in the top five for his age category in Canada.

He was similarly passionate in his work.

“Leo was extraordinarily committed to his students. His passion was teaching and his students recognized and appreciated this,” Stansfield explained.

Students like Tristan Gerrie recognized and followed Smits’ example.

“Leo's willingness to help those in need, around the world and within his own community, was a real inspiration to FCSS students,” he stated. “Throughout our time with him, both in and out of the classroom, he would share his own personal experiences while also helping us to develop our own passion and activism.”

The GHSA Memorial for Leo Smits takes place Thursday, October 20th, 12-1pm in the University of Guelph-Humber Art Gallery.

Sean Flinn, Web Communications Specialist, 416-798-1331, ext. 6299, sean.flinn@guelphhumber.ca