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Dean Dr. David Gray was one of 5000 Nova Scotians to receive a Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal this past Sunday from Truro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River MLA Dave Ritcey.

The medal program marks the unprecedented 70 anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne in 1952 and honours significant contributions and achievements by Nova Scotians.

“Nova Scotians make a difference in their communities every day through countless acts of public service, kindness and volunteerism. Honouring the Queen’s historic legacy in this way provides an opportunity to meaningfully recognize those contributions, mark our many cultural ties to the monarchy and celebrate the call to service that is a hallmark of our way of life in Nova Scotia,” said Premier Tim Houston.

Dr. Gray became the first long-term dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and principal, Dalhousie Agricultural Campus, now in his ninth year, serving his second term. Dr. Gray has a passion for agriculture and a true connection and appreciation for his community.

Dr. Gray took on this leadership role at a pivotal time – just as the Nova Scotia Agricultural College merged with Dalhousie University, a sensitive transition for many community members, both on and off campus. Reflecting now, 10 years hence, the Agricultural Campus is still the beautiful, close-knit campus, offering a world-class, hands-on education to over 800 students with many added benefits. Dr. Gray has always honoured the history of the campus and community and takes pride in its past.

Navigating the challenges immediately after merger may have been the task Dr. Gray signed up for however, facing two destructive fires, on the Agricultural Campus, in three short years, was not. Dr. Gray handled these situations with care and professionalism, doing whatever necessary to keep student and staff disruptions to a minimum. He hardly missed a beat and was always the first to offer support and a positive, encouraging message.

Same holds true to Dr. Gray’s reaction to the pandemic. Classes were moved online with a week’s notice, students and staff were sent home, campus was closed, faculty were overwhelmed, parents were frustrated, and Dr. Gray continued to smile. He was also the constant – as buildings were locked, except for Facilities Management, custodians and the farm staff, Dr. Gray went to his office every single day. From his office he adjusted to online meetings, watered people’s plants, sent pictures of campus, continued to lead the Cox fire restoration, mitigate staff, faculty, and student challenges and carried-on with his usual tasks.

When it became clear the pandemic would not be short-term, he initiated “Trivia with the Dean”, through a virtual platform, to stay engaged and connected with students, staff, faculty, and community. He offered flexibility, care, and support to staff and faculty who were juggling work, along with demands from home. He made Dalhousie University one of the best places to work, during the pandemic.  

Through these unexpected, challenging times, Dr. Gray also helped to bring so much good to campus, including infrastructure updates, new programs and diversity. He led the renaming of “River Road” on campus to “Sipu Awti”. It has also been under his leadership that the Agricultural Campus became the first, in the community, to fly the Pride Flag and the only university to permanently fly the Mi’kmaq flag.  

Dr. Gray lives and breathes his community – he attends nearly every function he is invited to, constantly forgoing any personal time he may have, and is always happy to give remarks, especially an update from campus. Dr. Gray has been a member of the Truro Rotary Club, and the Truro Concert Band, and is currently involved in the Colchester Ground Search and Rescue.