Ashbury College NOTABLE ALUMNI

It is a huge community, and the support system is phenomenal. Alumni relations are strong, and they do a good job keeping us connected and making sure we know what’s going on at the school. If I ever wanted to go back and visit, I know I would be welcomed. 

You’re choosing a school that provides a strong foundation for whatever you want to do in life. When I was choosing Ashbury, one of the main things my parents emphasized was the opportunities I would have coming out and having a degree from there. The alumni network is strong, and graduates are doing phenomenal things. Beyond opportunity, the community is so tight-knit and strong. There is a place for you, whether you enjoy sports, debate, art, theater, or music, and everything is interconnected. Ashbury allows you to be whoever you want to be. There is no mold you must fit. Teachers and staff push you positively to reach your potential.

I think families would be most surprised by how connected the community remains after graduation... The majority of my closest friends are people I met at Ashbury years ago, and that connection remains strong. The school does an excellent job of maintaining relationships with alumni.

Ashbury’s community sticks with you. I still keep in touch with classmates from the robotics team, and I’ve been surprised at how often the alumni network pops up, whether it’s LinkedIn messages or shared opportunities. The school does a good job of making parents feel welcome, too. My parents always appreciated how involved they could be, and they appreciated how looped-in they were, even though I was pretty independent also even if we lived outside Ottawa. There’s a shared identity that lingers beyond graduation. I still feel like part of the Ashbury community, even from across the border. I’ve kept in touch with several classmates and alumni. The network has already been helpful as I settle into university life. Ashbury stays with you as it has for me

As a graduate now, I stay up to date and connected within the larger Alumni community. The Alumni Association at Ashbury is exceptionally well-organized. Reunions are frequent and span geographically from New York to Ottawa, Montreal, and London, ensuring that alumni, wherever they settle, have a chance to reconnect with their roots. Ashbury Ties is the Alumni Magazine, issued biannually, if I am not mistaken, and it offers a wonderful glimpse into Ashbury life, even if visiting in person is not always possible due to work or university schedules. This summer, I attended a few alumni events, including the pinning ceremony for recent graduates and a faculty retirement banquet. It was heartwarming to see so many of my former classmates attend. It truly inspires a sense of community and highlights the unshakable bond forged during those formative years at Ashbury. I have kept in touch with people I connected with during my studies, and we occasionally meet when circumstances allow, to chat about the present, future, and reminisce about old times at Ashbury. It is always a pleasure to see familiar faces and hear new stories. It evokes a sense reminiscent of Old World Geographic Societies, which similarly foster visiting and a vibrant community. Beyond that, Ashbury has a Parent Guild. Parents who volunteer help organize various school and student-led events, such as Lunar New Year celebrations, SpringFest, the Graduation Ceremony, and the Prom.

Ashbury’s broader community stands out as one of the most enriching parts of the experience. Parents were actively involved through regular events, parent-teacher meetings, and volunteer opportunities; there was a real sense of partnership. My family always felt welcome, informed, and connected. The alumni community has also remained engaged and vibrant. From career panels to social gatherings and alumni newsletters, Ashbury makes a strong effort to keep us all connected. I have kept in touch with classmates from all over the world, some of whom I have met up with during university travels. There's a pride and shared identity that does not fade after graduation. When you meet another Ashbury alum, there’s an instant bond like you both know the values you were raised with. Whether it's reconnecting on Ashbury Connect or helping each other with job opportunities, the sense of community doesn’t end after Grade 12, but it evolves.

Ashbury’s community extended well beyond the campus. Parents were active participants in events, from sports matches to cultural nights. The alumni network was also strong. We would often have former students come back to speak or volunteer. After graduating, I’ve stayed in touch with teammates, housemates, and even teachers. Those connections have been helpful, but more than that, they’ve been meaningful on a personal level. The school instilled a sense of responsibility to give back, whether through mentoring current students or contributing to community projects. Even now, I keep in contact with my old House Master, who still checks in from time to time. That says a lot about the culture Ashbury builds. It shows it’s a place where meaningful relationships are made to last.

Ashbury is making efforts now to grow its endowment and offer more meaningful financial aid so that more families can afford it. I encourage you to apply, in case you can come up with a package that will work for you and give your child an amazing opportunity. If not, many public schools in Ottawa are also very good. It might not make sense for your family, and that's fine. Ashbury parents are willing to go the extra distance to offer their kids an outstanding experience. I think that is what we have in common, more than having the financial ability to attend. As an alumna, I have kept in touch with my fellow Ashburians, and I've been happy to see their success.

Ashbury taught me so much about myself, about how to be a good person, and about pushing myself not to settle for less than what I can do. I would not be who I am without going to Ashbury. It allowed me to value my own potential. Even now, years after graduating, I still really value the time I spent there, and I always talk about Ashbury very, very fondly.

Ashbury’s community extends far beyond graduation. While I was a student, my parents were very involved. They volunteered at events, cheered at sports games, and helped with fundraising; whatever they could do, they pretty much did. That involvement created a strong sense of connection between students, staff, and families. Since graduating, I’ve stayed in touch with friends and coaches, and the alumni network has been supportive, especially in connecting me to opportunities outside of sport. That also does not take away the sports spirit of Ashbury; they take it pretty seriously if you ask me. Even now, teachers still check in on my progress, which shows that their investment in students doesn’t end at graduation. It’s not just a school community; it feels more like an extended family.

Ashbury College has been a formative chapter of my life and educational journey. When I look back at this time, I find myself deeply grateful for the experience I had there. I still recall my first day in boarding—hectic, new, strange, and full of amazing encounters. From my first day at Ashbury, I felt like a part of a larger community, bound by common living (in the case of boarding), learning, sports, and extracurriculars. Everyone I knew during my studentship found their good application at school and university. Among the prime things that captured my imagination when I first got to Ashbury was the level of motivation that my peers had. At Ashbury, everyone is reaching towards new heights, and yet I never saw those aspirations grow into rivalries or competition.