“Service is what turns a campus into a place where people feel they belong”: Remembering Beth Kidnie (BBA '78) and her legacy of service

Everyone who knew Beth Kidnie (BBA ’78) described her as warm, kind and tirelessly dedicated to helping others. The Laurier Business alumna had a gift for inspiring and uplifting those around her and creating space for people to feel seen, supported and valued.

Laurier was a big part of her life; her father John Jenkins was the former dean of the School of Business & Economics from 1970 – 1974, retiring from teaching in 1992, and her brother was a Faculty of Arts grad. And Laurier set Beth well on the path to a vibrant life full of the service and connection that meant so much to her. She met her husband, Peter (BBA ’75), at Laurier, and enjoyed a career in finance including roles as chief financial officer of Co-Steel Inc and then as treasurer and finance director at DuPont Canada. Beth and Peter had three children, two of whom continued the Laurier tradition.

Beth’s beautiful life was tragically cut short in 2000. Led by the Jenkins and Kidnie families, her extensive network of friends and colleagues were moved to establish and endow the Beth Kidnie Memorial Award to remember her, and to honour students who embody that same generosity of spirit; those who put others first and build community through meaningful service. Endowing the award ensures that Beth’s legacy of generosity and community spirit continues to inspire students for generations to come.

The award recognizes full-time undergraduate students enrolled in year two and above who demonstrate the pursuit of excellence in work and study; generosity of spirit to fellow students; and financial need, with a preference for students enrolled in the Lazaridis School. Most notably, students who receive this award are involved in campus activities that seek to improve the physical, emotional or mental health of others through services such as education, representation, advocacy and peer support.

2025 marked the 25th anniversary of the creation of the Beth Kidnie Memorial Award. Though her absence is still felt, the award has become a celebration of Beth’s enduring influence. It honours her spirit of giving through the remarkable achievements of those who follow in her footsteps. Since 2001, the Beth Kidnie Memorial Award has awarded $278,448 in scholarships to 43 recipients.

Emily Griffith (BBA ’03) was the first recipient of the Beth Kidnie Memorial Award in 2001. After graduation, Griffith went on to pursue a law degree from the University of Toronto and currently works as a lawyer with the provincial Ministry of the Attorney General.

While Griffith was at Laurier, she worked as a teaching assistant for different business courses.

“Teaching was a rewarding way to use my skills and knowledge to help others,” she says. “I enjoyed work on campus that connected me with other students and faculty and strengthened my ties to the school community.”

When not on campus, she volunteered with the Central Ontario Developmental Riding Program (also known as Pride Stables), a not-for-profit that provides therapeutic riding programs for individuals with disabilities.

She believes these two roles prepared her for her career in law.

“Like teachers, a lawyer’s job is to distill complex information into clear, persuasive communication,” she says. “The work that I do for the province consists of helping people who cannot protect themselves due to disability. It’s so interesting to reflect back on these early experiences at university and realize that my career was beginning to be forged in those moments.”

Griffith was still uncertain of her career goals as she graduated from Laurier, but she knew she enjoyed academics and helping people. Throughout law school she worked and volunteered in public-interest roles, such as Legal Aid Ontario, Community Justice Initiatives, Pro Bono Students Canada and Downtown Legal Services. Shortly after her call to the bar she began her career with the Ontario Public Service. Today she’s working as the Deputy Public Guardian and Trustee with the Ministry of the Attorney General.

“In my current role, I work to protect the personal and financial interests of adults in Ontario who lack capacity to make their own decisions and have no one else in their lives to act in their best interests,” she says. “I have also worked as a board member for several not-for-profit businesses, including most recently with the Stonegate Health Centre in Etobicoke where I live with my two kids, Lily and Oliver, and our dog, Riley.”

Griffith is very conscious of the impact that awards like the Beth Kidnie Memorial Award have.

“Public interest work often goes unnoticed by those not directly impacted, and achievements in public service tend to be undervalued compared with for-profit successes,” she says. “It’s important for universities to foster a culture that rewards civic engagement and helping others. The Beth Kidnie Memorial Award is a meaningful way that Laurier promotes these important values.”

“Receiving the award made me feel as though the broader school community recognized my efforts, not only academically, but also in community service.”

This sentiment is shared by Moussa Elsayed (BBA '25), the 2025 recipient of the Beth Kidnie Memorial Award and recent Laurier graduate who completed his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

Elsayed was thrilled to return to campus this fall, after he graduated, to take part in a special ceremony presided over by Kyle Murray, dean of the Lazaridis School, honouring the legacy of Beth Kidnie and awarding Elsayed with the Beth Kidnie Memorial Award.

Elsayed’s time at Laurier included academics (he maintained a strong GPA), volunteering and beyond-the-classroom experiences. He took on leadership roles with the Lazaridis Student Society and the Laurier Consulting Club and supported incoming students through Laurier 101 and other initiatives. He was also able to study abroad in France and complete co-op placements in equity research, both of which pushed him to grow personally and professionally.

“Day to day, I tried to be there for my classmates, whether that was studying together or explaining concepts when someone was stuck. These experiences reminded me that giving back, in small or large ways, is an important part of being a student here.”

He looks ahead to a career in finance but is also inspired to look beyond his career for meaning in his life.

“I want to continue the cycle of support by mentoring students, helping new grads find their footing and staying involved in my community,” he says. “The idea of learning something and then passing it on has been an important part of my time at Laurier, and it’s something I’d like to carry forward in my career.”

The Beth Kidnie Memorial Award means a lot to Elsayed.

“There are so many great students at Laurier doing amazing things, so it feels really special to be recognized among them,” he says. “For me, this award is meaningful because it recognizes more than just grades. Some of the most rewarding moments of my time at Laurier came from being able to guide and support other students. Knowing that those efforts had an impact makes this recognition feel very special. It’s a reminder that academics are important, but so is the way you contribute to the community around you.”

“None of us get through university alone,” he says. “Some of my best experiences at Laurier came from being part of groups where everyone gave a little extra of themselves. Service is what turns a campus into a place where people feel they belong.”

While Griffith and Elsayed’s time at Laurier is separated by decades, they share a dedication to learning, growing and helping others in service of a better world; a commitment that Beth would be proud of.

“Each group of students benefits from the ones who came before, and giving back makes sure the same opportunities are there for the next group,” says Elsayed. “It’s how the community keeps getting stronger year after year. Laurier’s strength has always been its community, and that only happens because students keep putting in the effort to support one another.”

Our deepest gratitude to the many donors who established the Beth Kidnie Memorial Award including the Kidnie Family, the Jenkins Family, Rick and Dana Jamieson, CoSteel / Gerdau AmeriSteel, BMO and to all those who continue to give in honour of Beth and all that this award makes possible.

Give in support of the Beth Kidnie Memorial Award.