[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/marvinryder2011.jpg” caption=”Marvin Ryder, an assistant professor in the DeGroote School of Business, is one of the inaugural winners of the McMaster Alumni Association’s Hamilton Community Impact Award, created to highlight and celebrate McMaster graduates who positively impact the Hamilton community while reflecting the University’s values of integrity, quality and teamwork. File photo.”]One is an established McMaster faculty member. The other is an up-and-coming teacher in
his own right.

Marvin Ryder and Troy Hill will be the guests of honour at a luncheon on Sept. 29 to
mark the first year of the Hamilton Community Impact Award, created to highlight and
celebrate McMaster graduates who positively impact the Hamilton community while
reflecting the University's values of integrity, quality and teamwork.

“This is a new award for the McMaster Alumni Association,” said Karen McQuigge,
director of alumni advancement, “We want to recognize the impact of our graduates
who have continued to live in Hamilton.”

Ryder has taught in the DeGroote School of Business since graduating from McMaster's
MBA program in 1984. During his years in Hamilton, he has become a steadfast member
of the community, consistently demonstrating a dedication to the prosperity of the city
and its citizens.

With research interests in marketing for non-profits, sports and entertainment, health
care and entrepreneurship, Ryder has a range of expertise and interests. He has
contributed his time and considerable knowledge to many local organizations, including
Hamilton Entertainment and Convention Facilities Inc. (HECFI), Hamilton Health Sciences,
the Bay Area Arts Stabilization Program and the Bay Area Leadership Program. He is the
founding director of the Bay Area Health Trust, an organization that uses
entrepreneurial business solutions to support healthcare services and research.

In 2000, Ryder was chosen by the Ontario government to tackle the task of overseeing
the City of Hamilton's amalgamation as chair of the transition board. He is also in high
demand as an expert for print, radio and television media. Ryder has been previously
recognized by the Hamilton and District Chamber of Commerce with its 2001 Hamilton
Hero Award and by the McMaster Alumni Association with its 1989 Distinguished
Service Award.

Hill took a different journey after graduating from McMaster. A Mohawk of the Six
Nations of the Grand River, he began working for the Hamilton-Wentworth District
School Board after graduating from McMaster in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in
sociology and a specialization in indigenous studies. He has worked throughout the
school board as a teacher and as a facilitator of workshops for aboriginal learners.

After less than five years with the school board, Hill has demonstrated his commitment
to working with young people in the Hamilton community. He is an active member of
the Hamilton Aboriginal Education Council and offers support to principals, teachers,
parents and students by providing resources and facilitating restorative justice options.
He has contributed to development of the Native Language Program within the school
board and facilitates an Aboriginal Art and Culture event at a local high school. He also
teaches drumming to students across the city.

In addition to his teaching and extracurricular commitments, Hill has guest lectured on
topics of educational law, restorative justice and aboriginal perspectives at Brock
University. He is also working in collaboration with the Hamilton-Wentworth Occasional
Teachers Local to teach aboriginal perspectives to supply teachers working in the city's
schools.

The first annual McMaster Alumni Hamilton Community Impact Award luncheon will kick
off the Alumni Association's Homecoming activities. The event takes place at the Art
Gallery of Hamilton on Thursday, Sept. 29 and will also include a celebration of the
student recipients of the 2011 Community Contribution Awards.

For more details and to register for the luncheon, click here.