Justice and Generosity in Action: Meet the Alum Behind a New Student Award

Every philanthropic donation is special. And every gift given to the University of Guelph is guided by a personal influence as unique as the individual behind it. 

Such is the case for the newly launched David and Elizabeth Craig Bursary, designated for students in financial need, registered in the Criminal Justice and Public Policy major at the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences (CSAHS).

Established by Alison Craig, a 2002 alumna, criminal defence lawyer and founding partner at Posner Craig Stein in Toronto, this is the first bursary of its kind. 

Alison was recently a guest speaker in a fourth-year course on campus called Miscarriages of Justice. Carolyn Yule, Director of the Criminal Justice and Public Policy programs at the University of Guelph, spoke about the impact Alison had on the class: ‘Students listened intently as Alison spoke about the challenges of working as a defence lawyer. Her passion for her work - and for her clients - was palpable. Later in the term, several students incorporated Alison’s insights into their paper proposals. Clearly, this past graduating cohort found her career experience and openness both engaging and inspiring.’

‘I was raised with a keen sense of fairness, equality, dignity, and respect for others regardless of background, upbringing, or differences,’ says Alison. ‘Starting in my high school years, I noticed that so many people from different backgrounds than me, or with less privilege than me, were overrepresented in the criminal justice system and, far too often, treated differently by the criminal justice system than I would have been.  My passion for criminal defence work grew from there.’

With an upbringing grounded in empathy, Alison understands what it means to live with gratitude. Through her academic journey, her parents were a constant support who raised Alison to advocate for those less fortunate and champion change when change is needed; the David and Elizabeth Craig Bursary is Alison’s deliberate path to pay her gratitude forward with a nod to her parents. Alison’s goodwill, planted by David and Elizabeth, will now be the seed for further good deeds by her University of Guelph beneficiaries.