posted on Feb. 20: A tribute to Mary Keyes from Student Affairs

These reflections, from representatives in Student Affairs, were read by Cathie Miller at the memorial service for Mary Keyes.

Kindness, fairness, caring, honesty, health, support, student success, a respectful community, social, emotional, physical and intellectual development; dedication; student-centred quality service…and above all integrity.

All of these words describe what Dr. Mary Keyes represented, valued and was committed to during her 38 years at McMaster.

Mary was an educator of students and staff, and she believed that the process was more important than the outcome. She believed in inclusiveness, empowerment, encouragement, collaboration and old-fashioned hard work. A quote posted on her computer reads, “None of us is as smart as all of us.”

She was tireless in her commitment to students. She spent many hours on campus and at student events, consistently arriving early and leaving late but always prepared to stop what she was doing to speak with staff or students. She was a professional who believed in an economy of words. “Less is more,” Mary would say. But Mary never economized on the time she gave to listen to those who needed to talk.
As many of you here today have experienced first-hand, Mary gave new meaning to the words “open door policy.”

Dr. Keyes got involved. She didn't hesitate when it came to a crisis. Whether it was a tragedy such as the death of a student, a case of meningitis in residence, a student leader injured in a car accident, or the terror of Sept. 11, she was there: at the hospital, in residence, consoling parents, speaking to student leaders and students groups, and then following up later to see how people were coping. Mary gave much, but avoided the limelight, and was often embarrassed when her efforts were acknowledged.

Dr. Keyes was the consummate professional but she was not simply about business. She was about people. She was about respect and fairness and she was about service. Mary saw herself and her staff as mentors and models for students. She encouraged and challenged us to find the common purpose that binds us together, not the small details that make us different. She trusted us to make good decisions and to do our jobs to the best of our abilities.

Mary used to say that “If you don't make a mistake a day, you're not doing anything.” Mary truly believed that learning from mistakes helped a person to grow. She never dwelt on then, and in her kind way, made sure that the person never felt badly. Eva, her right-hand woman, once booked a lunch meeting for Dr. Keyes, only to forget to inform the person with whom Mary was to meet. Upon returning from her solitary lunch, Dr. Keyes response to Eva's apologies and embarrassment was “Don't worry, Eva, I had a really nice lunch and enjoyed some quiet time to myself.”

Mary was a quiet but determined leader who never compromised her values. When faced with difficult challenges, she consulted, she listened, she considered the impact on students, services and staff, and then she made the best decision she could, not necessarily the most popular one. It was at times like these that Mary often said, “It's a great life if you don't weaken.” Mary never did.

A former student wrote: “Dr. Mary Keyes never lost sight of what was important on a university campus. Students. The respect she gave to students and student leaders was honest. If you had something to say she would really listen. Her belief in true student representation was so strong that she had little time for those seeking political or personal gain. The integrity with which she conducted herself never faltered or wavered, whether she was speaking to the President of the University or to a first-year student. Dr. Keyes never hid behind policy, process or politics when challenged. Her principles determined what was paramount: the support and success of students.”

A quote in the newspaper stated that Mary “put a lot of her heart and soul into the University.” As we in student affairs shared stories and memories in preparation for this memorial, a close colleague of Mary's
rephrased that statement: “Mary was the heart and soul of the University.” We all agreed.

Mary loved her work on behalf of the students and this University from the bottom of her heart. Mary was the leading advocate of student life and culture on the McMaster campus. Mary envisioned a University which fosters community, collaboration, diversity, and develops students to their fullest potential. Today is a celebratioin of Mary's life and her contribution to McMaster. Her legacy of integrity, care and compassion will live on in the many people she has touched. Every person in our field owes much to Mary. Every women in our field has stood on her shoulders and seen farther because of her vision and effort.

Dr. Mary Keyes: A woman of distinction and distinguished leadership in the life and times of McMaster University.