A publication for graduates and friends of Bishop’s University www.ubishops.ca TTransformingransforming junkyard cars into art Professor Margaret Lawther’s landscape photos Inside: Our recent survey: what you told us .....................................5 Tim Wallace ’95 perfects facial repair technique.................8 Johanne Choinière ’87 shatters the glass ceiling................9 Publications Mail No. 40027187 No. 16 • Spring 2005 Association News Alumni Association Steering Board Branch Presidents no longer sit Peter Davidson ’77, President ([email protected]) on the Steering Board, allowing Graham Moodie ’69, Past President ([email protected]) them to focus their efforts on their Rob Allatt ’93, First Vice President & Montreal Branch regions. They will still, however, be ([email protected]) kept abreast of all Alumni Jill Robinson ’87, Second Vice President & Quebec City Branch ([email protected]) Association matters and will be able Dan Bohinc ’94, Montreal Branch ([email protected]) to give you current information. Sterling Mawhinney ’88, Member-at-large You will notice, on the left side ([email protected]) of this page, that not all areas are Eric Mills ’72, Member-at-large ([email protected]) officially represented. It depends on Fred Scalabrini ’92, Member-at-large ([email protected]) Message from the President the number of alumni living in an Pam McPhail, Director of Development ([email protected]) I am pleased to share with you area and if someone is willing to Matt McBrine ’96, Alumni Relations Coordinator recent developments in the roles of take on the responsibility of a ([email protected]) volunteers and the structure of our Branch President. I am told areas Dave McBride '93, Advancement Officer ([email protected]) like North Carolina, Chicago and Alumni Association Branch Presidents Alumni Association. Over the past Dave Henry ’95, BC Branch ([email protected]) few months, members of the former Saint John, NB will soon be Paul Alleyne '01 & Shane Johnson ’95 Barbados Branch “National Committee,” now represented. ([email protected]) ([email protected]) “Alumni Steering Board,” have We are currently examining John Messenger ’97, Calgary Branch been discussing ways in which we new affinity programmes — alumni ([email protected]) travel and mortgage brokerage Grant Siméon ’85, Eastern Townships Branch can make this group more effective. ([email protected]) Often a board of 25 volunteers meetings — that may be of interest James Walde '88, Fredericton Branch presents difficulties in scheduling, to graduates and financially ([email protected]) making efficient decisions, and so beneficial to Bishop’s. Decisions on Shirley Kitching Duncan ’56 & Cheryl Kouri ’77, Gaspé Branch on. We have now reduced the both programmes will be made by ([email protected]) the Board. Jackie Jenkins '02, Halifax Branch ([email protected]) number of alumni who will sit on Peter Nixon ’83 Hong Kong Branch this new “Steering Board.” We have one of the most ([email protected]) The purpose of this group, active Alumni Associations in Kristi Lambert McBride '93 & Michael McBride '93 taken from our Alumni Constitution, Canada. Last year, we had almost Newfoundland & Labrador Branch ([email protected]) “is to promote the welfare and 50 alumni events around the globe. Yolaine Dupont ’91 & Tom VanAlstine ’92, Ottawa Branch Thank you to all volunteers. ([email protected]) ([email protected]) advance the interests, influence and Sam Menard ’00, Toronto Branch ([email protected]) usefulness of the University.” We I hope to see you at an event. Sonia Fisher '01, United Kingdom Branch make decisions in the best interests Peter Davidson ’77 ([email protected]) of alumni and the University. I am President David Morad '01 & Kedrin Simms '00 Washington, DC confident that the members of the P.S. Visit our events page on our ([email protected]) ([email protected]) Trevor Lovig ’96, President, Alumni Football Association Steering Board will be capable of web site: ([email protected]) accomplishing this. We look www.ubishops.ca/alumni/events_c.html forward to ratifying these changes at In this Issue an annual general meeting held at Fall Homecoming on September 24. Association News . 2 Scott Griffin ’60, DCL ’02 our new Chancellor . 3 Principal Issues . 4 Bishop’s survey: what you told us. 5 Prefer to read this electronically? Faculty and student awards . 6-7 Bishop’s University News can be read in PDF format on our Ann Montgomery, Registrar, retires . 7 website at: Tim Wallace ’95 perfects facial repair technique . 8 Johanne Choinière shatters the glass ceiling . 9 www.ubishops.ca/alumni/bunews.html Bishop’s of yesteryear: 1954-58. 10 If you prefer to read the electronic version and do NOT wish to Two alumni change careers and return to Bishop’s . 11 Leroy Blugh ’90 becomes Head Football Coach. 11 receive the print copy in the mail, click the link at the above Branch Briefs. 13-15 address on our website or contact: Alex Paterson ’52, DCL ’74 retires as Chancellor . 16 [email protected] Faculty Profile: Professor Margaret Lawther . 17 Births, Marriages, Deaths . 18-22 We will notify you by e-mail when a new issue is on our website. Tributes: Bill Anderson, Karl Kuepper, Eric Yarrill . 23-25 Through the Years . 25-28 Donate to Bishop’s on-line. 29 2 • Spring 2005 Bishop’s University News Scott Griffin ’60, DCL ’02: Bishop’s New Chancellor Scott Griffin (Bishop’s Class of 1960, decided that I would like to become more rather than less English and Philosophy) is involved and hope this desire corresponds with the views of the Chairman, Director and controlling Chancellor’s role held by the various constituencies at Bishop’s. shareholder of General Kinetics As an example, I have spoken to our Principal, Dr. Robert Engineering Corp., which designs Poupart, who has agreed that I might sponsor each fall a and manufactures shock absorbers workshop for senior drama students. The idea would be to for high speed rail, heavy tracked invite well known, established Canadian actors and actresses to vehicles and for the protection of attend and provide their experience and advice to students buildings from earthquakes. He is before graduating. The first workshop next fall would feature also Chairman, Director and founder the Canadian actress, Fiona Reid, who has indicated that she of Advance Precision Limited a company that supplies parts to would be willing to attend. Also, there is the potential to the automotive industry. Scott is Chairman, Director and establish informal links with the Soul Pepper Theatre in Toronto controlling shareholder of the House of Anansi Press Inc., a who could help facilitate auditions for Bishop’s students once literary publisher of Canadian and international fiction, non- they have graduated. fiction and poetry. He is also founder and trustee of the Griffin Bishop’s is well positioned to become the leading Trust for Excellence in Poetry, which sponsors $80,000 in undergraduate liberal arts university in Canada. It has a special annual poetry prizes for the best International and the best and enviable history, superb facilities, diverse academic Canadian books of English poetry published each year. Scott is programs, excellent professors and small classes. It is easy to a Director of the African Medical and Research Foundation and take the advantages Bishop’s offers for granted, but they are Canadian Executive Services Overseas. In recognition of his unusual and make for a very fine university. many accomplishments, Bishop’s awarded Scott its highest In fact, it is easy for us to take higher education in Canada honour, a Doctor of Civil Law (honoris causa) in 2002. for granted, but we do so at our peril. Other countries, t is rare, but every now and then life produces a real surprise, particularly those in the Far East and even those in developing something out of left field, something totally unexpected. countries, see higher education as a privilege, one for which The visit of the former Principal, Janyne Hodder, to Toronto, they are prepared to make significant sacrifices to protect and I retain as a national priority. where she invited me to become Bishop’s University’s 18th Chancellor was one of those In Canada, we have this over events; flattering and an honour to riding preoccupation with health The funding of higher education, be sure, but something from outer care, an obsession that places space. I’m not sure that I have specifically our universities, more than insatiable demands upon the public quite recovered. purse at the expense of higher any other priority, will determine the education and other national I have always considered future health of our nation. It deserves myself to be a hands-on type, priorities. Of course health care is more comfortable in the field than our concern and financial commitment. important, but the funding of higher devising plans back at head office We short-change our investment in education, specifically our universities, more than any other or fulfilling a Chairman’s role. higher education at a long term cost to And so, my first reaction to the priority, will determine the future invitation to become Chancellor of our nation and to the well-being of health of our nation. It deserves our Bishop’s was why me? Had I future generations. concern and financial commitment. reached that stage in life where We short-change our investment in one is put out to pasture? And then higher education at a long term cost slowly I began to reflect and appreciate not only the honour the to our nation and to the well-being of future generations. It is University would bestow on me, but the possibilities the important that Bishop’s, along with other universities, place position presented: the ability to become reacquainted with higher education on the national agenda as a first priority.