www.亚洲色 College was pleased to welcome its MPP, the Minister for Community and Social Services, the Hon. Ted McMeekin for a meet and greet with students, staff and faculty on Friday, March 28. It was also an opportunity for him to address the community, and for Redeemer to express its appreciation to him for the work that he has done for it over the years. Minister McMeekin entitled his address “A View from the Pew or Using Our Giftedness to Serve.” 鈥淓ducation is all about getting students to identify and develop their individual skill set,鈥 he said. 鈥淭hat is a sacred responsibility for educators.鈥 Yet the purpose of finding and then using those gifts, according to the Minister, is found in a calling that goes beyond oneself . He encouraged students to develop what he called 鈥渁 Good Samaritan鈥檚 mindset鈥攁 principle- and value-based perspective to life that allows one to respond to that calling.鈥 He described some of what went into his own journey: from a family that encouraged him to 鈥渕ake a difference, not just noise鈥 through his education and work in social work, and in his community involvement. He also shared how he first got involved in politics by working on Bobby Kennedy鈥檚 1968 presidential campaign. 鈥淜ennedy used to tell us: 鈥榃hen you see something wrong, don鈥檛 get mad; don鈥檛 get even; get elected. That鈥檚 how you can make a difference鈥.鈥 As a result, he has worked to create 鈥渁n ethos of social justice鈥 in his time in government. President Hubert Krygsman noted several of the ways that Minister McMeekin has lived that out in support of Redeemer. 鈥淗e has worked tirelessly for Redeemer, helping us over the years with legislation to change our name and to secure provincial funding for the Sports Complex. He worked to ensure that employers who hire Redeemer students for co-op work terms receive the same tax credits as those who hire from public universities. And most recently, he worked to have the 30% Off Tuition grant extended to Redeemer students.鈥 鈥淭he Minister,鈥 concluded Dr. Krygsman, 鈥渉as mastered 鈥榯he art of the possible,鈥 while remaining committed to his principles, to doing what is right. 鈥淲e are very grateful for all that he has done for us and our students.鈥 And McMeekin has seen that commitment happening in Redeemer students as well. 鈥淎s a Christian, I鈥檝e always believed that the most important thing we need is to be held accountable to our own giftedness,鈥 he said. 鈥淵ou are responding to that call. You are making a difference. And as a result, I am buoyed with hope for the future.鈥