Four generations, one Golden legacy

For nearly 80 years, one family's story has been intertwined with Laurier. 

Beginning with John Maurice Gusé, whose Bachelor of Arts in Honours Business Administration was awarded in 1950, the family's Laurier connection has continued through three more generations: Donna Lynn Cameron (BA ’84, MSW ’87), Maple Anne Cameron (BA ’01) and, most recently, Zachary Johnathan Cameron, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) this spring. 

While each generation's Laurier experience was shaped during different eras, they share something that transcends changing campuses, programs and traditions: a lifelong connection to the Golden Hawk community. 

For Zachary, becoming the fourth generation to attend Laurier was meaningful long before he stepped onto campus. 

"It means a lot," he says. "It played a huge part in my decision to go to Laurier because it gave me the opportunity to say four generations of my family have gone here." 

For his aunt, Maple Cameron, the legacy was something she appreciated differently. Growing up in Waterloo, Laurier always felt like part of everyday life. Her childhood home on King Street North sat between Hickory and Columbia, where she watched generations of students walk past in purple and gold. 

"I would see all the students in their Laurier merch and always thought that, one day, I would be just like them." 

Years later, when Zachary was deciding where to attend university, the family's history took on new significance for Maple. 

"I tried not to be the aunt pressuring him," she laughs, "but I loved the idea that he would be the fourth generation." 

One of her favourite memories came the day Zachary revealed his decision. As the family prepared to head out for dinner, he quietly removed his coat to reveal a Laurier T-shirt. 

"I squealed and jumped around." 

Although every generation experienced Laurier differently, each found something that made their time on campus unforgettable. 

For Zachary, it was the excitement of first-year residence. 

"My most memorable part was living in residence, meeting new people and starting my Laurier experience." 

Maple's memories centre on the professors who challenged and inspired her. 

"I loved the class sizes and feeling like they were invested in my success," she says. 

Some lessons have stayed with her for decades. She still remembers one of her professors, Dr. Richard Christy, joking that visitors to London's Highgate Cemetery could stand at the corner of Marx and Spencer (a reference to the two economic philosophers buried there). Nearly 20 years later, while visiting London, she made a point of finding the intersection herself. 

Her mother, Donna, treasured the lifelong friendship she built with a fellow student named Joan, while also taking pride in discovering that she and Maple had shared two of the same professors: Richard Christy and Peter Eglin. 

Maple's grandfather, John Maurice Gusé, found lasting community through Laurier long after graduation. A proud alumnus, he regularly attended alumni events and even brought a young Zachary along to experience them. As the owner of a local print shop, he also enjoyed producing materials for the university, joking that he may have even printed the degrees his daughter and granddaughter would one day receive. 

That enduring connection to Laurier has influenced more than family stories. It has helped shape careers, friendships and community ties. 

After completing her Bachelor of Arts at Laurier, Maple pursued law and eventually returned to Waterloo Region, opening her own practice, Maple Cameron Law. Choosing to practice in the community where her family's Laurier roots run deep felt like a natural choice. 

"I've met so many wonderful local lawyers who are also Laurier alumni," she says. "Aside from seeing them annually at the Laurier Law reception, we seek advice from each other, refer files and try to volunteer for events like the Laurier Moot Court." 

The university has remained a constant throughout the family's history, creating connections that span classrooms, professions and generations. 

When asked what makes him proudest about being part of four generations of Laurier graduates, Zachary's answer is simple. 

"Despite everyone being of different generations and pursuing different paths, we can all say we are Golden Hawks." 

Their family's story is a reminder that while every Laurier journey is unique, the connections formed here can last a lifetime and, in this case, continue across four generations.