The United Way Windsor-Essex County extended special recognition to UWindsor professor emeritus Datta Pillay during its I Believe in My Community Awards celebration, March 9 at Caesars Windsor.

The charity’s chief executive officer, Lorraine Goddard, called him “a faithful friend and champion,” citing his work as chair of the campus campaign well past his retirement in 1997 and noting that the most recent year saw an increase of 13 percent due to his committee's efforts to recruit new supporters.

Dr. Pillay joined the University’s biology faculty in 1963, served 22 years on its Senate, six years on the Board of Governors, and 10 years as dean of science. He has also been active on the executive of the Windsor University Retirees' Association and held the office of president of the faculty association from 1974 to '75.

Almost 400 guests attended the awards ceremony, honouring workplaces, unions and individuals for outstanding contributions to the community through voluntarism, financial support, and leadership.

“Dr. Pillay is leaving a great legacy, by mentoring others about the work of United Way and how his newly-expanded committee can make the campaign great,” Goddard said. “We could not have done it without his advocacy and commitment to volunteering his time to support the community.”