Clay Bos, dean of the School of Arts, Science and Education at Medicine Hat College, is a recipient of a Star of Alberta Volunteer Award.--SUBMITTED PHOTO
kking@medicinehatnews.com
The dean at Medicine Hat College’s School of Arts, Science and Education has been provincially recognized for his long-standing local volunteer work.
Clay Bos, an engineer by trade and current school dean, received a Star of Alberta Volunteer Award for his work, which helps students from grades 1 to 12 learn science.
Bos was nominated by the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta, of which he is a member and has been volunteering with for nearly 20 years.
“It really started with the college,” Bos told the News. “I was an instructor at the college in the Built Environment Engineering program, so that enabled me to reach out to those engineering students and some activities with them and get them to volunteer and work with (APEGA). Then it branched into high school students, elementary school students with science fairs and Science Olympics – those are some of the events that APEGA helped sponsor and run.”
In any given year, Bos volunteers an estimated 500 hours. He works not only with APEGA, but with various programs and activities throughout the Medicine Hat area. He has previously been involved with the Kiwanis Science Fair, Canadian Homestay Network and Alberta Winter Games, among others.
“It started at a real young age,” said Bos. “I can remember my dad saying to me that that’s the ultimate way to give back, because (other) people are volunteering their time and committing to make the world a better place. He instilled in me that it’s a great way to be a proud and contributing citizen.”
“It’s very humbling and a true honour (to be an award recipient),” he said. “Like most of the recipients, we don’t do it because we’re looking for the recognition but I really appreciate that recognition. It just makes you feel proud to be a part of that group, especially when you see the other recipients … you know that you’re not in it alone and there’s lots of great work being done, and it’s nice to be recognized for that.”
Bos plans to continue his volunteer work and hopes to inspire others to get involved as well.
“Volunteering is a fun and easy way to get engaged,” he said. “I think it really helps me to stay relevant, just for serving those present and future needs of our society … Just the nature of my role here at the college as dean; it’s important to engage others and get people excited about our world and our society.”
