Lakehead Orillia student leading the way for diversity and inclusion in Simcoe County

Rudy Grewal’s name and face have become recognizable over the last few years at Lakehead Orillia and in Simcoe County in general.

The Barrie man has played an important role in encouraging diversity and inclusion on campus. Through his involvement with the Office of Human Rights and Equity (OHRE), Rudy promoted International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to the Orillia campus for the first time in 2019.

He educated and informed students to become allies by taking a stand against racism and discrimination while hosting a resource table in the Learning Commons.

Rudy also served as co-chair of the #ITSTARTS Campaign at Lakehead Orillia, where he led others in celebrating diversity, inclusion and acceptance. These efforts and more earned Rudy a Lakehead Leader Award for 2019-2020 and a Service Excellence Award at the County of Simcoe’s 2020 Newcomer Recognition Awards.

For as long as Rudy can remember, he has always tried to help anyone – or anything – in need.

“At the age of four or five, I remember nursing an injured little sparrow back to health,” he said.

The bird eventually became well enough to leave the makeshift nest that Rudy had built outside.

Years later when he was in school, Rudy wanted to buy a new music book for a student who couldn't afford it. Luckily, the teacher stepped in with a discounted book that the student could purchase.

“This was one of my first lessons that there are others who are willing to help, and there are different ways of helping,” he says.

Born in Brampton, Rudy grew up in several different parts of Ontario and briefly in India, ending up in Barrie in 2004.

As a racialized person, he has experienced racism – and that is part of why he speaks up.  

“Another reason I get involved now is for my children, as it breaks my heart to see them going through similar things that I went through,” Rudy says.

“Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. marched in 1963 and told the world about his dream, and here we are almost 60 years later, still marching. Generation after generation of inequities, sub-standard living conditions, and stolen opportunities. I get involved because it has to end.”

Rudy has faced other challenges throughout his life. He still remembers how difficult it was to return to school as an adult in 2017 – when most of his classmates were considerably younger. To anyone considering attending university, Rudy says if he can do it, you can too.

“Where there's a will, there's a way,” he says.

“Though there are different stressors as an adult going back to school, you also bring with you a wealth of life experience. You may be surprised at how much experience you can apply to your studies and scholarly pursuits.” 

Since starting at Lakehead Orillia in September 2017, Rudy and his wife Megan have had to transition their brick and mortar family business to a completely different online venture; take care of sick relatives, including some who were critically ill and cancer patients; deal with the loss of five family members, including two parents; take care of their six children at home; “and, let's not forget riding the wave of a global pandemic and all that brings,” he says.

They were also working to continue paying bills. During that time, Rudy completed all requirements to receive his HBASc, and he is scheduled to complete his HBSW this spring.

And, Megan, who has been studying online through Lakehead Thunder Bay, will receive her BA in Gender and Women Studies this spring, too.

“It's amazing what can be accomplished when a good team works together,” Rudy says, adding that he has truly enjoyed studying at Lakehead Orillia.

“Lakehead Orillia was the perfect fit for me,” he says.

“I considered a couple of other universities, but the small-class sizes at Lakehead Orillia afforded me the one-on-one attention I needed to build a solid foundation for my post-secondary career.”

He will be pursuing his master’s in social work and then perhaps a PhD, with the goal of working in addictions as well as possibly getting involved in municipal politics to help bring about change that way as well.

Rudy will be speaking at a cultural competency training event with the Barrie Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, May 6, to help local business owners be proactive about anti-racism, equity, diversity and inclusion.

He has also been doing research for the Simcoe County Diversity Hub, which brings attention to racism and discrimination while promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in the community.

For more information about the Simcoe County Diversity Hub, contact the Simcoe County Local Immigration Partnership at sclip@simcoe.ca.