Tidings
The University of King’s College Alumni Magazine
Meet King’s new president Newton research attracts international media Brett Loney (BJ ‘84) Daily News editor
Summer 2003
ALUMNI MARKETPLACE 1 2
3
7 6 5 4
8
9 11
13 10 12
14 15 16
SWEATSHIRTS Ladies Full Zip Hooded $45.00 1 . Available in Navy and Light Blue, Zip Neck $53.00 13 , Crew Neck $42.00 16 & Hooded $50.00 (not shown). Available in Navy and Grey
DEGREE FRAMES
2
Gold metal frame, blue matte and King’s College crest embossed in gold at the bottom: BJ, BJ Hons., BA, & BSc prior to 1994, 18 x 24 ($75.00); BA & BSc from 1995 and BJ & BJH from 1996, 15 x 18 ($65.00). Dark wood frame, blue and gold double matte and King’s College crest embossed in gold at bottom: BA & BSc from 1995 and BJ & BJ Hons. from 1996, 15 x 18 ($85.00). Italian wood, triple blue matte with King’s College crest embossed in gold at bottom: BA
& BSc from 1995 and BJ & BJ Hons. from 1996, 15 x18 ($155.00)
BACKPACKS $40.00
3 Navy Only
KING’S MUGS Stainless Steel Travel Mugs $18.00 4
Ceramic Coffee Mug $10.00 5 Ceramic Beer Stein $23.00 6
SHORTS Grey with KING’S screened on the back or with the logo screened on the front left leg (as shown) #19.50 10
MINI PHOTO ALBUM Navy with gold crest. $12.00 11
KING’S SCARVES AND TIES Ladies Scarf bearing the King’s crown and St. Andrew’s cross $19.50 (not shown), silk/polyester tie with the same design $23.00 12 & 100% Silk tie striped with King’s crest $43.00 (not shown)
T-SHIRTS Unisex with screened University Logo full front or on left chest $17.50 7 , Ladies ribbed with embroidered logo $19.50 8 . Available in Navy and White
KING’S HATS
SWEATPANTS Navy with KING’S screened on the back (as shown) or with the logo embroidered on the front left leg $42.00 9
Toques $15.00 14 Navy with White lettering only Baseball Caps $15.00 15 Beige with Navy lettering or Navy with White Lettering (not shown)
ALSO AVAILABLE
PENS Metal $10.00 or Plastic $2.75
KEYCHAINS Pewter with University Logo $12.00
LAPEL PINS University Crest $6.00 or Alumni $9.00
CAR DECALS clear with White writing $2.50
LIMITED EDITION PRINT Peter Bresnen’s watercolour of the A&A Building $80.50, also available as a Notecard $1.15 each
FOR MORE INFORMATION or to order any of the above items, contact Jen Laurette in the Alumni and Public Relations Office at 422-1271, ext. 128. Cheque, VISA or MasterCard accepted. Cheques should be made payable to the Alumni Association, University of King’s College, Halifax, NS, B3H 2A1. Prices include HST. Shipping is extra.
2
Tidings
Summer 2003
Inside COVER STORY
16 ‘King’s is like an ongoing experiment’
5
New president William Barker seems an excellent fit — an English scholar and rare book enthusiast who has also produced radio
‘It’s clear he’s been a popular president’ Outgoing president Colin Starnes shepherded King’s through 10 years of immense change
ON CAMPUS
Media swarm prof over 17thcentury Newton prediction King’s Day honours rich history
First students graduate from HOST programme Profs pay tribute to James Doull SuperFan leads the charge Zany j-school awards show celebrates 10th year
ALUMNI PROFILE
23 Daily News editor aims to capture young readers
Online community set to serve alumni
25 ENCAENIA IN PHOTOS
Bretton Loney (BJ ’84) is new owner’s pick to take on the Halifax Chronicle-Herald
COVER: King’s new president William Barker. Story on page 16. Photo: Michael Creagen
Summer 2003
Tidings
3
Business Card Ads
Tidings
Get yourmessage out!
Summer 2003 Managing Editor
A Business Card ad in Tidings is an inexpensive way to advertise your business to more than 5,400 King’s alumni, friends and family.
Editorial Assistant Postal Address
The cost is only $100 per issue, payable by cheque or VISA.
If you’re interested, send us a sample business card along with your payment to: Alumni Association University of King’s College 6350 Coburg Road Halifax, NS B3H 2A1 Cheques are payable to the University of King’s College Alumni Association
✁
Alumni and Public Relations Officer:
Tim Currie (BJ ’92) Rhia Perkins (BJ ‘02) Tidings c/o Alumni Association University of King’s College Halifax, NS Canada B3H 2A1 (902) 422-1271 Bev Mahon
King’s Web site: www.ukings.ns.ca E-mail: paula.johnson@ukings.ns.ca
This issue of Tidings was written by fourth-year students in the Bachelor of Journalism Honours programme, and students in the one-year Bachelor of Journalism
What’s
New?
Have you changed jobs? Are you moving? Have you married recently?
Tidings is produced on behalf of the University of King’s College Alumni Association. We welcome your feedback
Send us your news and we will pass it along to your classmates in our next issue. Mail it to the address at right, e-mail: <jen.laurette@ukings.ns.ca>, or enter it on the Web at: <http://www.ukings.ns.ca/for/alumni/alumni.htm> NAME
programme.
(MAIDEN NAME AT KING’S)
on each issue. Letters to the Editor should be signed and typed. We reserve the right to edit all submissions.
DEGREE (EG. BA ’63) OR YEARS AT KING’S
HOME PHONE
The views expressed in Tidings
E-MAIL ADDRESS
are those of the individual ADDRESS
contributors or sources.
YOUR NEWS
Mailed under Canada Post Publications Mail Sales Agreement No. 1493094
4
Tidings
Summer 2003
OnCampus
Media swarm prof over 17th-century Newton prediction 2060 date for Armageddon puts Stephen Snobelen at centre of international sensation By John Farrow
D
r. Stephen Snobelen has spent most of his young academic career in a quiet corner of academia studying the life of Sir Isaac Newton, the 17th-century British scientist famous for discovering gravity and inventing far-fromexciting calculus. As the 38-year-old history of science and technology programme professor says, “It never dawns on you that this particular writing will reach a wide audience.” But the research certainly did in February when media outlets from the United Kingdom, Israel, United States, Canada and even Russia found out about an obscure Newton prophesy and pounced on Snobelen to explain it. At the time, Snobelen was involved with a BBC documentary that was to mention the prediction when it aired later that month. Scholars had known for a couple of decades that Newton, also a theologian, had predicted several dates for the Armageddon — one of which was 2060. But Snobelen had little idea news outlets would latch on to the 2060 date, fascinated that the father of modern science had predicted the end of the world in only 57 years. The story
Summer 2003
would quickly spread around the world with Snobelen at the centre of an international media frenzy. It was a situation he hardly anticipated when he agreed to work with the documentary producers months earlier and handle routine media requests. Heretical beliefs Snobelen’s interest in Newton began 10 years ago while studying for his undergraduate degree. Working on a project on apocalyptic thought, he discovered that Newton was an apocalyptic thinker. In fact, besides being interested in the science of nature, Newton harboured many other secrets not commonly known. He was a dedicated theologian and experimented with alchemy as a means of discovering God’s ultimate truths. Ironically, Newton was also a heretic, which in 17th-century England was illegal. Although devoutly Christian, Newton rejected the idea of the Holy Trinity. Snobelen says it was a belief Newton kept secret his entire life to avoid imprisonment and doubts about the validity of his science. “I believe he felt that if he had been exposed as a heretic, then his science would have been tar-
Tidings
nished,” Snobelen says. “And he was very keen to see that succeed.” Born in 1642, Newton lived during a period of great civil unrest in England — a time in which many people focused on apocalyptic thoughts. Through his analysis of the Bible and other historical texts, Newton predicted several possible dates for the Armageddon. The Book of Revelation mentions the number
Snobelen displays some of the news stories he is quoted in: “There was a lot of concern about the pending war in Iraq.” Photo: John Farrow
Continued on next page
5
OnCampus NEWTON / Continued from previous page
Photo: Trevor Wright, Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences
Dal/King’s co-host humanities forum King’s and Dalhousie were co-host this spring to the largest annual, multi-disciplinary gathering of researchers in North America. Nearly 6,000 delegates — researchers, policymakers and graduate students in the human sciences — participated in the 72nd Annual Congress of the Social Sciences and Humanities, held May 27 to June 4 on both campuses. With 67 societies from 69 member universities represented, Congress 2003 brought together leading scholars from Canada and abroad. This year’s theme, “Conflict and Cooperation,” offered a variety of researching findings, panel discussions and international experts on issues of war, peace and human security. “It may be one of the most relevant congresses that we’ve had,” says Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences President Doug Orwan. “This is one that seems to be tied right into the kind of issues Canadians and the world have to face in the next few months and years.” One of the many highlights was a series of keynote addresses that featured James Orbinski, Nobel Prize winner and member of Medecins sans frontieres; Major-General (ret.) Lewis MacKenzie, the Honourable Roy Romanow and journalist Ann Medina.
6
1260 and Newton concluded Armageddon would occur 1260 years after the Church began to become corrupt. Newton believed 800 AD was one possible date for the beginning of this. So he added the two figures and came up with 2060. “My firm belief is that Newton’s ideas are not just ideas that he found out there,” says Snobelen. “There is a religious context, a social context, a political context and a personal context to his ideas. He was by no means running up and down the streets crying out ‘The sky is falling!’” When the producers of the documentary contacted Snobelen he saw it as a chance to bring his extensive knowledge and writings on Newton to a larger audience. The weeks before the BBC released the film, the London Daily Telegraph first published an article to preview the film. Although the reporter told Snobelen the story would most likely be a small piece in the back of the paper, to his amazement, it ran on the front page. The headline and the article focused on Newton’s 2060 prediction, a small fragment of Newton’s work and the documentary. Public unease The story caught on quickly, spreading to other countries on newscasts, in newspapers and on the Web. Most of the stories concentrated on the 2060 date and some even reported that Snobelen discovered the 2060 prediction, a fact that he was quick to denounce to the media and to his colleagues who knew otherwise. He says a Newton scholar initially published the 2060 prediction in 1980. Snobelen believes one of the reasons why Newton’s date interested so many people was the threat of war in Iraq at the time. People could relate to the story, with the state of world affairs looking particularly apocalyptic at
Tidings
“
For many people, it would be like hearing Albert Einstein attended séances. People were genuinely surprised.” Stephen Snobelen
the time. The Newton story thus came precisely at a moment when the world was nervous about a potentially devastating war. As well, the SARS story was starting to break. Plagues and war are two crises commonly associated with apocalyptic thinking. Opportunities He also says people were intrigued to learn Newton dabbled in such matters. “It’s hard for people to accept that a scientist like Newton was involved in prophetic interpretations,” he says. “For many people, it would be like hearing Albert Einstein attended séances. Thus, people were genuinely surprised.” After the documentary aired, the calls from reporters died down, but Snobelen figures he will get more requests for interviews when the documentary is released in Canada in 2004. For now, Snobelen continues teaching at King’s and works as a senior editor with the Londonbased Newton Project, an academic effort to interpret Newton’s manuscripts. (Completed interpretations are available at <www.newtonproject.ic.ac.uk>) Snobelen has also been commissioned to write a book on the aspects of Newton’s life the documentary and reporters left out. “It’s quite nice for me because after the documentary was finished, I was left with the feeling that a lot was left unsaid,” he says. “I have the opportunity for a second chance that a lot of my colleagues don’t have.”
Summer 2003
OnCampus
King’s Day honours rich history By Neil Acharya
A
bout 120 members of the King’s community gathered at the university on March 15 for a lot of history, some current affairs and a few laughs. The first annual King’s Day brought together alumni, students, faculty and administrators for what the organizers say was a chance to celebrate the university’s accomplishments. Among other topics, speakers at the event detailed the university’s early history, its role as a naval training college during the Second World War and the beginnings of the journalism school. Alumni MCs Andy Hare (BA ’70) and John Stone (BAH ’65) provided the crowd with humorous quips and quotes throughout the afternoon. Stone got the biggest laugh of the event by explaining how his father, a former professor, referred to Alexandra Hall as “Conception Bay.” Judging by audience reaction, one of the highlights was Rear Admiral Glenn Davidson’s (BA ’73) history of HMCS King’s. He described how the Canadian navy converted King’s into a naval training school to instruct cadets for service in protecting the transAtlantic convoys. “Almost overnight, King’s was transformed into a ship,” Davidson said. “In three months, civilians [became] students of the sea, a process that normally takes a year,” he said, almost in awe of their efforts. Davidson punctuated his talk with colourful anecdotes of the era, for example pointing out that cadets referred to the bus that transported them downtown as the “Liberty Boat.” “The information Admiral Davidson gave regarding the navy at King’s was particularly interesting,” said Lewis G. Billard (BSc ’50). “I thought [King’s Day] was very well done,” he said. “It was great to see a room full of alumni.”
Summer 2003
The other speakers offered similar snapshots of King’s from past to present. John Leefe (BA ’66), mayor of Liverpool, N.S., gave a detailed history of King’s from its inception in Windsor to its current association with Dalhousie University. He explained the struggle King’s faced in trying to remain independent. “There were actually seven attempts to bring King’s and Dal together,” he said, before the universities formalized their relationship in 1923. Journalism school director Stephen Kimber described the roots of the journalism program, which began in 1978, engaging some of the older alumni with his description of the program’s “chaotic” early years. Concerns about formal meal The event itself held special significance for alumnus Harold Graven (BA ’30, LTh ’37), pictured on the front of the event’s program as a member of the King’s 1934 rugby team. He was also part of the first class to inhabit the then-new A&A building in 1930. Graven said he appreciated the chance to check out the New Academic Building but was disappointed there was no
Tidings
longer a weekly formal meal. “Formal dinners are important. They link us to the past — and you can’t forget the past,” he said. That issue was the main topic of discussion when King’s Students Union president Alex Anderson opened the floor to questions. Alumni in attendance wanted to know whether students were continuing King’s long-held traditions, such as wearing gowns to class (which they haven’t done for a number of years). The university cancelled formal dinners in 2001 amid waning student interest but kept the door open to resurrecting them at a later date and in another form. University president Colin Starnes assured the audience King’s traditions were far from dead, saying his successor, William Barker, “is deeply attached to gowns and formal dinners.” Organizers of the event — the King’s Students’ Union and the Alumni Association — said the impetus for the event was simple. “We felt there wasn’t any particular day that was in existence just to celebrate King’s,” said co-ordinator Jill MacBeath (BJH ’03). “I can only hope that future events coordinators will carry on this day.”
Left to right: John Stone, and Andy Hare, Alumni Association president Tim Rissesco, university vicepresident Elizabeth Edwards, Stephen Kimber, Glenn Davidson, Colin Starnes, Alex Anderson and John Leefe Photo: Neil Acharya
7
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
Counterclockwise from top: In his final official duty, President Colin Starnes addresses members of the King’s community; capital campaign chair George Cooper; chancellor Michael Meighen; (Bottom) administrative assistant to the president Margo Pullen Sly cuts the ribbon to officially open the final phase of the New Academic Building: “May God bless the Link and all who sail in her.” Photos: Michael Creagen
8
$6.7-million campaign goal reached, lecture hall renamed ‘Alumni Hall’ Alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of King’s gathered on campus June 17 to celebrate the closing of the university’s Building on a Strong Foundation capital campaign and to say farewell and thanks to Colin Starnes on the occasion of his retirement as president and vice-chancellor. University chancellor the Honourable Michael Meighen and board of governors chair George Cooper welcomed about 140 guests to an evening of celebration and thanks in true ‘Kingsian’ fashion. The evening’s programme included a lecture in classics by Colin Starnes, a choral evensong of thanksgiving in the King’s chapel and a reception and dinner in Prince Hall. National campaign chair George Cooper announced at the reception that the capital campaign had reached its goal of $6.7 million. He expressed thanks, on behalf of the university, to all volunteers, alumni, special friends, faculty and staff for their generosity and support. In recognition of the Alumni’s generous response to the campaign, the uni-
Tidings
versity announced the naming of the FYP Lecture Hall to ‘Alumni Hall.’ The evening concluded with a dinner in honour of Starnes to mark the end of his 10-year term in office. Among the guests who paid tribute to President Starnes were past-president Marion Fry, former director of development Jone Mitchell (HF ’03), past board of governors chair Brian Flemming (DCL ’91) and professor emeritus Rev. Robert Crouse. Closing grace was given by incoming president William Barker. University vice-president Elizabeth Edwards announced at dinner the establishment of the Colin Starnes Award — a full-tuition award to study in the Foundation Year Programme that will be granted annually to “a Nova Scotian who would otherwise be unlikely or unable to attend King’s, and who would make a unique contribution to the life of the university and who would benefit from a King’s education.”
Summer 2003
OnCampus
First students graduate from HOST programme By Paula Gale
K
ate Turner (BSc ’03) took a chance on King’s new History of Science and Technology programme (HOST) in 2000 because she thought it would be an interesting supplement to her biology major. Brendan Quinn (BA ’03) however, saw the programme as a good fit with philosophy. Three years later the two, along with three others, made up the first class of HOST graduates at Encaenia ceremonies in May. Turner, a 23-year-old from Halifax, says if she hadn’t taken HOST she wouldn’t have learned concepts of ecological integrity and thought of basing her biology honours thesis on them. “One major thing I drew from HOST was that I could see a lot more of the philosophical nature behind science,” she says. For Quinn, though, the theoretical nature of the programme was the main attraction. “I found myself to be more interested in the philosophical side of science and wasn’t so interested in the application of it,” says the 23-year-old from Toronto. Like all HOST students, Quinn and Turner took the programme as part of a joint honours degree. Director Gordon McOuat says it is the only undergraduate programme of its kind in Canada but says the field is becoming trendy for graduate studies at other universities. The programme uses philosophical, historical and sociological per-
Summer 2003
spectives to help students develop an understanding of the development of science and technology. McOuat says students study primary texts to help bring the world of science and technology “down to the ground.” ‘We have great plans’ Quinn says his favourite part of the programme was studying the Darwinian Revolution in McOuat’s second-year course. “I fell in love with Darwin and his whole theory of evolution.” Turner was most interested in studying interactions between religion and science. Although she says the programme didn’t offer many choices in electives, she says she didn’t mind being part of the “guinea pig class.” “Its reputation will probably grow in the coming years,” adds Quinn. “It was neat to be in the beginning of that whole process.” He says he would like to see more professors added to the programme and see some courses expanded. All of this is coming, says McOuat. “We have great plans.” McOuat says the programme is just beginning to come together and its expansion will follow the same gradual route as King’s Foundation Year Programme. Next year McOuat hopes to bring in more guest speakers, run a film series and expand the programme’s focus on technology. McOuat says programme’s administrators didn’t design it with career options in mind. Students
Tidings
take this course of study, he says, because it’s intriguing and they want to do it, not because they have a specific career goal. “If you are really just looking for a job, do an MBA,” he says. McOuat says the programme’s success will be based on how graduating students feel when they finish. “I want people to come out of it saying, ‘I don’t think I could have gotten this anywhere else in the world.’ If we can pull that off, it’s a success.” Quinn says when he returns to Toronto this summer, he’ll “try to find a job and make some money so that I can play music for a profession in the fall.” The four members of Quinn’s band, ‘PDQ’, are returning to Toronto and “We’re going to try to make it a success.” Quinn says being involved in HOST helped him to think in a different way about the world. “Thinking about genetics and quantum mechanics definitely puts your mind in a different sphere,” he says. “I think that will help me write the words, if nothing else.”
Quinn (top): “I fell in love with Darwin.” Turner: “I could see a lot more of the philosophical nature behind science.” Photos: Spencer Osberg
Continued on next page
9
OnCampus
Six recognized at Athletics Banquet The 2003 King’s Athletic Banquet, held April 4 in Prince Hall, recognized six of King’s athletic finest. Sarah Crane, an avid rugby and basketball player, was named female athlete of the year. Crane, of Kensington, P.E.I., has been the rugby team’s most valuable player for the last two seasons. In basketball, she shone as an Atlantic Colleges Athletic Association (ACAA) All-Conference player and proved consistently valuable to both teams over the past four years. “It is rare to find a player who is this valuable to two teams in the same year, “ said Neil Hooper, King’s Director of Athletics. Mike de la Mothe, a soccer and basketball player from Halifax, was named male athlete of the year. Heather Stilwel, received college Rookie of the Year for her efforts on the women’s basketball team. She was named to the ACAA AllConference team and won its Rookie of the Year award. Stilwel was also recognized as one of two Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) Academic All-Canadians. Ashley McCormick, a men’s volleyball player also made Academic AllCanadian. He started playing with the ACAA All-Conference team in March.
HOST / Continued from previous page
This summer, Turner, who received the University Medal in both HOST and biology, will work on a Canadian environmental literacy project and try to turn her thesis into a publishable paper. Her thesis is about urban vegetation biodiversity in Halifax. She studied plant life in 18 urban properties in Halifax and compared
10
McCormick received the Academic Excellence Award which is presented to the student who best combines academics and athletics. Ryan Tully, 2003’s men’s Rookie of the Year, was also recognized by the ACAA, as soccer Rookie of the Year. He was also a key member of the King’s men’s basketball team. Coach of the Year went to women’s basketball coach Les Berry. Under his guidance, the team glided into the playoffs for the second straight year. The event marked another successful year for King’s sports teams. The women’s rugby squad won the Nova Scotia College Women’s Division Championship. The men’s soccer team finished second in league play, only to lose in the first round of playoffs. The women’s team missed the playoffs by a single point. Men’s volleyball lost 3-2 in the 5th set of a playoff thriller against St. Thomas. The score in the fifth game was 15-13. Fourteen King’s players and coaches made All-Conference teams or received special awards. Two King’s players received Academic AllCanadian Awards and another was named to the all-Canadian Team.
them to a natural habitat to determine what kind of trees and plants would cover the region if it wasn’t urbanized. She says because she studied HOST she was more equipped to deal with the philosophy and ambiguity behind the scientific ideas involved in her thesis. In the fall she and her husband are hoping to go to South America in advance of her starting a master’s degree.
Tidings
DOULL / Continued from page 11
Peddle and Robertson started the book in 1999, while Doull was still alive. Not only did Doull agree to have his previous works published, he wrote an article specifically for the collection. Two unpublished lectures also appear in the book. After Doull died in March 2001, at the age of 83, the editors decided to make it a more scholarly work as well as a tribute. Robertson and Peddle said they hope the book will introduce readers to his ideas. “Because he was a maverick in philosophical circles, his works tend to be neglected by the general philosophical community and we would hope that the people give it a serious read,” Peddle says. Doull was also known locally for his interest in Canadian politics. In the 1960s, he helped found the New Democratic Party in Nova Scotia. During the Meech Lake Accord, he wrote letters to Senate and parliamentary committees with his thoughts on Canadian identity. He did not have the political aspirations of Grant, whose Lament for a Nation became a Canadian must-read, but Doull was concerned about the state of his country. “Doull was endlessly frustrated that Canadians didn’t think of themselves on their own terms, but thought of themselves through European forms,” Robertson says. Doull was greatly influenced by Hegel and had a strong interest in Plato and Aristotle. He regarded the history of philosophy as a continuing journey. This “school of thought” caught on over the years, as his students became professors and passed on his approach to their students. And while Doull was not actively involved in starting FYP, his approach became part of the programme’s unique approach to interpreting the history of ideas. “The Foundation Year Programme… is not simply or directly James’ work, but I tend to see it as being very much a product of his influence,” says Johnston, an associate professor in FYP. “I can’t imagine a better education anywhere in the world.”
Summer 2003
OnCampus
Profs pay tribute to James Doull New book interprets works of prominent Canadian thinker whose ideas formed FYP By Donna Lee
H
e’s been compared to George Grant as one of Canada’s most prominent philosophers. He was known for setting the intellectual tone for the Foundation Year Programme. “Not many in Canada can be compared to James Doull as the creator of a philosophical school based in an interpretation of the whole history of Western philosophy,” wrote Wayne Hankey (BA ’65) in an article in 2000. Still, not many people outside Dalhousie and King’s may have heard of James Doull and his ideas on the history of philosophy. Now, two years after his death, a number of his scholarly friends and former students are paying tribute to James Doull in a book that came out this spring. Edited by King’s professor Neil Robertson and former FYP tutor David Peddle, Philosophy and Freedom: The Legacy of James Doull (University of Toronto Press, 2003) is the first published collection of Doull’s essays, articles and lectures. Supporting Doull’s works in the volume are articles by his contemporaries and former students, many of whom teach at Dalhousie and King’s. “Part of the reason for this book is to make his works accessible,” says Robertson, an associate professor in the Contemporary Studies and Early Modern Studies programmes. “They’re extremely difficult, very densely argued and not very accessible,” says Peddle, who now teaches philosophy at the Sir Wilfred Grenfell College at Memorial University. “So we were thinking of making it more accessible by getting people to explain some of the
Summer 2003
more difficult writings.” James Doull was born in 1918 in New Glasgow, N.S. His father, a justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, wanted him to pursue a career in law. But Doull went on to study classics, graduating from Dalhousie in 1939. After serving in the Royal Canadian Navy, then taking graduate classes in the University of Toronto, Harvard and Oxford, Doull was offered a teaching job in the Dalhousie classics department — right alongside his friend George Grant, who joined the university’s philosophy department at the same time. Doull stayed at Dalhousie from 1947 until his retirement in 1983. He was also chair of the department from 1959 to 1970. He was instrumental in founding Dionysius, Dalhousie’s classics journal, and Animus, a philosophical journal on the Web. ‘A hard case’ In his teaching career, Doull taught students who later became colleagues and, more importantly, close friends. A young Colin Starnes did some rebuilding on Doull’s cottage in Chester when he was a student. Dennis House first met Doull when he was a student in 1967. Angus Johnston, Wayne Hankey, Peddle and Robertson were undergraduates when they took Doull’s seminars. He had been known as a teacher who was tough but dedicated to his students. And he was known as a purely devoted philosopher. “He simply gave himself over to Lady Philosophy,” says House, currently a professor in Dalhousie’s classics department. “Twenty-four hours a day, his mind was always thinking about something. James’ life was a total devotion to philoso-
Tidings
phy and literature.” “He was a hard case,” Peddle says. “He took no prisoners in that he was extremely committed to philosophy, and extremely committed to following Western thought on its own terms. If you took it seriously as well, then he would do everything he could to help you. But if you were glib about it or didn’t take it very seriously, he didn’t suffer fools very gladly.” Doull did not start writing articles until after 1970, when he was 52 years old. His friends and former students agreed on the same thing: his writings were densely packed with ideas, making them difficult to read. “James never wrote for a mass audience,” Starnes says. “[His books] were just awful to read,” he adds with a laugh. Perhaps for that reason, Philosophy and Freedom includes commentaries from scholars who knew him, including Robertson and Peddle, fellow King’s professors Ken Kierans and Johnston, Wayne Hankey, House and Starnes. Continued on page 10
Neil Robertson (top): “Doull was frustrated that Canadians didn’t think of themselves on their own terms.” The new book (middle); James Doull (bottom). Photos: Donna Lee/ Submitted
11
OnCampus
SuperFan leads the charge Third-year student uses alter ego to rouse team spirit By Sarah Crane
B McCully: “If I can get into [an opposing player’s] head then maybe we can have a little bit of an advantage.” Photo: Sarah Crane
en McCully was head of the spirit committee at his Pictou County, N.S. high school. He used to dress up as Angus the Celtic Warrior and lead the crowds at Stellarton High. Sometimes teachers would let students out of classes early so they could cheer at games. But even if they didn’t McCully’s fellow students would pack the gym for games. Then he came to King’s, where students are known to be reserved when it comes to cheering their sports teams. When McCully saw the prim
and proper way fans conduct themselves at games he was disappointed. But he knew there was spirit at King’s; he just wanted everyone else to know it too. So, the
third-year journalism student created SuperFan, his loud, spirited alter ego. SuperFan has a shiny blue cape. He wears an old King’s basketball jersey and blue face paint. He usually arrives at the King’s gym with a couple of friends in tow. The players of the opposite teams know and fear him. He sits under the opposing team’s basket, right next to the baseline. When he yells encouragement to the King’s players everyone in the gym can hear. SuperFan is notorious in the league for his playful antagonism of other players. Sometimes players from the other teams actually stop playing to respond to him, and that’s exactly the advantage that SuperFan is looking for. He’s not content with just improving the spirit at the games. He wants to do his part to help the team out. “If I can get into [an opposing player’s] head and they get caught up in what SuperFan is saying,” he says, “then maybe we can have a little bit of an advantage.” ‘He’s exactly what we need’ Ben McCully/SuperFan has appeared at at least one home game played by each of King’s sports teams. His favourite sport and the one that brings out his real spirit is basketball. Over the three years he’s been at King’s, McCully has done everything short of becoming a player for the King’s men’s basketball team. And his support is deemed so valuable to the team he’s even travelled on the team bus.
12
Tidings
The King’s players appreciate the work that SuperFan does for them. “It’s hard when there’s only a couple of fans in the gym,” says Dennis Ashe, MVP of this year’s men’s basketball team. “Especially if they’re all really quiet.” Ashe thinks the SuperFan is great, but he wished there were more students like him. McCully is working on that, trying to convince other students that cheering can be a lot of fun. He has noticed an increase in the number of students who come out to the games. But he says he won’t rest until he sees the gym packed for every game. “Everyone has a little SuperFan inside them,” he says with a smile. Neil Hooper, King’s athletics director, says having SuperFan in the stands is like adding 30 people to the crowd of spectators. “He’s exactly what we need,” says Hooper, “He’s a dedicated, committed guy who has supported the teams through thick and thin. He provides an opportunity for other students to jump on the bandwagon. We just need more people like him.” McCully says SuperFan is his way of showing how much he loves King’s. For him, sports teams are the university’s face to the community. He says they are the university’s best public relations tool. When athletes proudly wear the King’s colours they show the community and other schools a strong, proud tradition. McCully says when he becomes SuperFan; he’s not trying to be a character — it’s only his own intensity coming out. He loves the sports and the university and SuperFan is his way of showing people that. “As a fan, it’s just me — I’m not trying to perform,” he says, ”I’m just supporting the team and getting into the game.”
Summer 2003
OnCampus
Zany j-school awards show celebrates 10th year “I’m stunned it’s still going on,” says organizer of 1993 Golden Cobden Awards By Jennifer Stewart The dimly lit Wardroom is unusually busy this Sunday night at the end of March. In front of the bar sits a television, speakers, and a table full of gold, spray-painted beer bottles. John MacLean (BJH ’03), president of the Journalism Students Society and executive producer of this year’s Golden Cobden Awards approaches the podium, decked out in a stylish black suit and bowtie. He tips his wide-brimmed, black fedora and raises the microphone to welcome everyone to the tenth anniversary of the awards. “It’s nice to see you all here, especially the magazine [workshop] crowd,” he begins. “Usually you’ve all killed each other by now.” He smiles and the crowd laughs politely, half expecting a bumbum-bum-ching! to follow from an accompanied snare drum. At the back of the bar sits Michael Cobden and his wife, Jane, sipping drinks and grinning at the ridiculousness of it all. Cobden was the director of the journalism school 10 years ago when a group of fourth-year students decided to create an event in honour of their leader. “Some people thought I was a bastard, I suppose,” Cobden says, smiling. He describes the show as having a different tone every year — sometimes joshing, other years
Summer 2003
almost biting. “People who take themselves seriously often get an award for quite the opposite,” he says. “In the past I’ve won awards such as Most Likely to be Looking for a Job and Most Likely to be Reported to the SPCA.” The award categories change every year, but the overall intent is always the same — a balance between recognizing the work of fellow students and poking fun at them. The sought-after golden beer bottle has become a symbol at the school. It represents hard work and, for some, a lack of it. Joking approach Jonathan Bays (BJ ’93) was one of the students involved in organizing the first awards show in 1993. Now a management consultant for McKinsey & Company in Toronto, he can’t believe the idea caught on as well as it did. “I’m stunned it’s still going on,” he says. “I’m stunned it even happened a
Tidings
second year!” He and his co-host Matt Rainnie (BJH ’93), now the host of CBC-Radio’s Mainstreet in Charlottetown, were active on the comedy scene and thought it would be fun to take a joking approach to the journalism programme. “There was no voting for winners. The whole thing was straight comedy,” Bays explains. “We tried to pick the three funniest nominees — then the winner would be someone not even named. It was like the punch line of the joke. There was no contest element whatsoever.” The Cobdens have evolved into an elaborate hoax on the Oscars, with guest presenters, the traditional opening of the envelope and lengthy — sometimes cheeky — thank you speeches. All students and staff are invited, but the front row seats are dominated by gradu-
John Maclean (left) joins the other hosts of this year’s show, held March 30. Photo: Jennifer Stewart
Continued on page 15
13
OnCampus THE NEW STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE
Alumni to receive insurance option King’s joins Meloche Monnex affinity programme
Introducing the
Alumni Association of the University of King’s College Platinum Plus ™ or Preferred MasterCard ® credit card
The Alumni Association has signed an agreement with Meloche Monnex that provides King’s alumni access to a unique programme offering highly competitive rates on automobile, home, travel and small business insurance. Meloche Monnex services members of university and college alumni associations, as well as professional organizations and employer groups across Canada. The company has more than 520,000 clients through partnerships with 182 alumni and professional associations. In addition, approximately 55 large Canadian universities now offer Meloche Monnex insurance as part of their alumni affinity programmes.
With this agreement, any King’s alumnus who provides Meloche Monnex with his/her expiry dates and/or receives a no-obligation quote will be automatically entered to win a BMW 330 Ci Cabriolet. Who is eligible: The programme will be offered to King’s alumni, their spouses and children who are full time students as living at home; university staff, retirees, widows and widowers.
• No annual fee • Low Introductory 4.9% annual interest rate for cash advance cheques and balance transfers
LostSheep
• High credit line, up to $100,00 with the MBNA Platinum Plus MasterCard ®
We’ve lost track of these alumni. Know what they are up to? Pass it along! (902) 422-1271 ext. 128
• Toll-free Customer service, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year • Fast credit line increase decisions within one hour • Immediate cash access at more than 430,00 ABMs worldwide • Optional MBNA Payment protection Plan ™ can provide extra security (subject to certain costs) • Around-the-clock fraud protection • Privacy Protection
Apply today! Contact the Alumni Office for more information: (902) 422-1271 ext. 128
14
1950-1959 The Rev. Roland Farwell A. Norman Kyle
Class of 1957 Class of 1957
1960-1969 The Rev. Ronald C. Lane
Class of 1969
1970-1979 Carolyn J. Campbell J. Mark Findlay Gerald V. Keeping Thomasz J. Krzyski Brian W. Matchett The Rev. C. Edward Pickett Cathy Ramey-Westgate Robert C. Swan The Rev. Canon Alvin Westgate
Class of 1973 Class of 1978 Class of 1973 Class of 1975 Class of 1970 Class of 1973 Class of 1973 Class of 1978 1972-1973
Tidings
Summer 2003
OnCampus COBDENS / Continued from page 13
ating students. “We’re really trying to mix it up this year,” explains Melanie Cloney (BJH ’03), co-producer of the Cobdens. “We’re making an effort to include the first three years of [BJH] students, rather than having yet another love fest for the fourthyear and one-year students.” Awards such as Most Promising First-, Second- and Third-Year Students and Best Third-year Television Story will encourage socializing between the different levels, she says. MacLean also sees the night as an opportunity to interest younger students in keeping the event alive. Blooper reels Highlighting the evening were the blooper reels for the broadcast workshops. The bloopers provide laughs at the graduating students’ expense but also remind them how far they have progressed in eight months. Hysterical squeals erupted from all around the room and a few embarrassed heads were lowered as the students recalled their blunders. The evening had its seriousness as well. A special moment for the students in this year’s four-year BJH programme was the renaming of an old award for Sweetest Staff Member. Organizers re-dubbed it the Pamela Herod Memorial Award to honour the school’s longtime administrative assistant who died last year of cancer. The recipient this year was journalism school’s cameraman Kevin Devoe. As the evening wore down with the revealing segment of “Guess the Professor” staff and students were hollering and clapping. Akosua Oppong (BJ ’03) took home the Best Narrative NonFiction Story award for her piece on the perils of meeting the right guy. She also presented the award for Most Likely to Get a Job at Naked News — an award unique to this year’s show. “I had a lot of fun tonight,” she says.
Summer 2003
King’s to launch online alumni community This fall, the Alumni Association will launch an on-line community site to provide King’s alumni a secure environment in which to re-connect with fellow classmates and keep up-to-date on alumni and university news and events between issues of Tidings. To first register, alumni will be asked to log onto a password protected site and update their profiles. As privacy is of paramount importance, alumni will have the ability to choose what information will be made available to other alumni already registered in the program. Once registered, alumni will be able to search the site for missing friends and classmates to re-establish old ties and create new opportunities for friendship and networking. Going online will mean more news ... more often. Once established, the site
Tidings
Site mockup
will enable the the alumni office to deliver campus news, AlumNotes and chapter event information via broadcast e-mails and monthly e-newsletters. During the summer months the alumni office will be updating alumni email addresses and contacting alumni via e-mail or letter with more detailed information on the community site. Do we have your current email and mailing address? If you have changed email addresses or have moved in the past year, please let us know by e-mail: paula.johnson@ukings.ns.ca, phone: (902) 422-1271, ext. 128 or fax; (902) 425-0363.
15
COVER STORY
16
Tidings
Summer 2003
‘King’s is like an ongoing experiment’ University’s new president seems an excellent fit — an English scholar and rare book enthusiast who has dabbled in radio documentary By Emanuella Grinberg
A
s William Barker prepares to step into the role (and home) of 22nd president and vice-chancellor of King’s, he admits the initial euphoria of being accepted for the position has eroded into nerves as he prepares to make the big move. There’s his office at Memorial University and home in St. John’s to pack; his wife, Elizabeth, must find a job and his 12-year-old daughter a school to attend in Halifax. Set to move into the President’s Lodge on July 1, Barker says he might be living there alone for a few weeks, but that’s something he and his family have already accepted. As he dances in limbo between two jobs and two lives, one of which he’s yet to experience, Barker finds himself, on one hand, contending with nostalgia. He’s preparing to leave behind a 17year legacy at Memorial University in Newfoundland, most recently as head of its English Department. On the other hand is the anticipation of the unknown facing him at King’s and in Halifax, his new home. This becomes most apparent when Barker is asked about his “plans” or “vision” for King’s. “I really don’t know what’s to come,” he says. “I’m just starting to look at this place here [Memorial University] and what it has been to me. Every institution has a differ-
Summer 2003
Photos by Michael Creagen
ent culture. If you come into a place with as strong an ethos as King’s, you must go in carefully to see how everything works.” That tops his list of things to do once he arrives on campus, walk around and get to know the King’s community. Barker admits that prior to the application process, his familiarity with King’s was limited to its reputation as a small school with lots of history and a good grip on what it does, primarily within the Foundation Year Programme. Interests in literature, philosophy But the English PhD and rare book enthusiast, whose scholarly work includes renaissance literature, education, philology and bibliography, says he first heard of King’s in 1984 when the library acquired some rare books. Curious about King’s from what little he knew of it, Barker said he was drawn to the university without having ever been here, seeing himself in the job description. “The things the search committee asked for seemed aurally reminiscent or indicative of who I was, someone interested in a broad range of literature, in philosophy … King’s is like an ongoing experiment. Most institutions have to figure out what they do well; King’s went out and did that, and it’s always been something I’ve wanted to know more about.”
Tidings
Taking a cue from the Foundation Year reading list, Barker wooed the presidential search committee with his speech entitled “The University and the Book,” a subject close to his heart. “I’ve always been interested in reading and poetry and intrigued by book collecting as a tactile experience,” he says. “King’s is all about reading, books and the mind, which is what I tried to look at in my presentation.” Since 1986, Barker has been at Memorial University in St. John’s, filling positions of professor, director of studies of the graduate interdisciplinary programme and department head. He has found the time, however, to work as a research editor for a project resulting in The Spenser Encyclopedia, published in 1990. He has also published books, most recently, a selection of Adages of Erasmus. Considering Barker’s academic experience, it is perhaps coincidence that the man set to lead the university also has a background in journalism — primarily in radio documentary. From 1982 to 1991 he prepared 20 hours of radio documentary for the CBC — on history of books, dictionaries, the photocopier, universities and Bach, to name a few topics. “Journalism has a lot to offer to academics who are often called to Continued on next page
17
take intellectual leadership in public life,” he says. “King’s offers great opportunities to bring the two areas together. “ Having spent the past few years filling mainly administrative roles, Barker knows what he’s getting into, even if he doesn’t really know what to expect. “I expect I’ll have to do a lot of listening to administration and to students, to ask them why they see themselves as King’s students. I want to get a feel for the differences and then I’ll know what’s ahead of me,” he says. “When I started doing renaissance literature, I liked the obscurity in the text, the mastery behind
understanding it. I don’t do stuff that’s easy for me, and that’s a lot like university administration — there are always challenges that involve problem solving and listening; and I enjoy those things.” Barker is tentative, if not cautiously self-assured, when fielding questions on issues such as rising tuition fees. “Universities are very expensive to run,” he says. “Even now many students are unaware that their fees pay only a fraction of the costs of their schooling. But is it healthy to have students finishing a BA with $20,000 or $30,000 or more of debt? I think not. Although the individual student does benefit from the degree,
so does society more generally. “There are ways of spreading the costs around. One is by relying on government funding for support. But if the will is not there to provide this support, then universities must turn to other sources, and one really important source will be alumni and other friends of the institution. This is the U.S. model, in which donors provide endowment to aid students who cannot otherwise afford to attend the university. I don’t think we are ready to go all the way to this model in this country. Probably some kind of mixed model is appropriate for now, where students, government, and alumni
‘Think Erasmus on rollerblades!’ William Barker’s colleagues say King’s is getting an approachable academic with ‘great friendliness and wit’ By Emanuella Grinberg William Barker’s colleagues at Memorial University readily admit they’re sorry to see him leave after 17 years of service in the university’s English department. And not just fellow English professors, but professors in engineering and history, and alumni agree Barker’s impressions on the university and on them are personal and lasting. Barker’s colleagues at Memorial University are eager to speak on his behalf during the busy exam time, all beginning their hasty yet thoughtful emails with the same sentiment — “our loss is your gain” are the exact words of Ray Gosine, interim associate dean of graduate studies in the faculty of engineering. Despite Barker’s voluminous academic achievements, friends and colleagues most fondly recall Barker for his personable nature, a scholar who sees outside of the academy. “Think Erasmus on rollerblades!” writes Memorial University English professor Don
18
Nichol. “Bill has wisdom, aplomb and tolerance in spades with a great overview of academic institutions. He’s a team player with a great sense of humour and a fine sense of irony. Bill is a born schmoozer with a generous spirit. He is the best-connected academic here with friends in practically every department and discipline. Which is why we hate King’s for pinching him! “Bill and I share many interests, one of which is mouldy old books. He loves smelling them. Recently, I bought a copy of Pope’s 1751 works. When I showed it to him, he held it up to his nostrils and divined that it had survived a fire. Not only that: he could still smell the wood burning a century or two on!” Nonetheless, at Memorial Barker is highly regarded for his approachable manner within the university setting. “He is an inspiring teacher and a model mentor because as well as being a star academic, he takes an interest in all his students — whether they are struggling through the first year of English or writing PhD theses,
Tidings
writes Jean Guthrie, from Memorial’s English department. “He listens, and supports them in finding out what they want to say and getting the job done. “He has been endlessly helpful to colleagues as well, advising on grant applications, collaborating on papers and projects, supporting new colleagues as they find their way — all this while bringing in grants, producing highly regarded articles and books, as well as editing others’ work and taking various administrative roles.” Kevin Major, a Newfoundland writer, met Barker while a writerin-residence at Memorial. “He went out of his way to make me feel I could be a useful addition to the university scene. I was struck by his friendliness and wit, and eagerness to take in the world around him — the latter something he expected of his students as well. Always a good sign.” The father of a 2002 FYP graduate, Major says Barker is ideal for King’s. “I think King’s is getting an intellectual, a man of ideas. But one who is approachContinued on next page
Summer 2003
share the burden.” He says he’s looking forward to the change from a big university to a small one, even if it means taking on all the more responsibility, in an interdisciplinary setting such as King’s. “Bringing together a range of ideas and techniques at the same time one is reading across different disciplines is a sign of intellectual maturity and courage,” he says. “I would not want to do away with programs in classics or philosophy or chemistry because these are the guardians of academic tradition. But if you pursue your studies very far, you discover you must cross borders — an
“
English professor trying to make sense of theatre in Elizabethan London may well have to read an anthropologist or a sociologist, not just a historian, to make sense of the social functions and practices of theatre. It’s wonderful that our students learn how to begin to think in interdisciplinary terms at the same time they learn the skills typical of the disciplinary programs. “The size of King’s is a virtue. In big universities, there are all these small universities inside, and the energy comes from these small units, they define the university. But King’s is a small unit in itself.”
“Subsequent to this, and other Ideas series, Bill and his broadest ranges of scholarly family have become lifelong friends, but the pattern of our and cultural interests, a friendship has remained constant terrific sense of ... he will show up in Toronto, humour and a and before you know it we are meandering from bookstore to great wit.” bookstore attempting to curb CBC Radio producer our compulsive book-buying Damiano obsession, and usually losing out Pietropaolo to “just one more book on this subject” syndrome. able and accessible, something Quick to highlight the terribly important in a university “lighter” side of the dedicated setting. It generates a bonding scholar and university adminisbetween faculty and thirsty stutrator, Pietropaolo continues: “I dent minds — just what a unidon’t want to leave you with the versity should be all about.” impression that all we do is walk Barker still keeps in touch from bookstore to bookstore and with Damiano Pietropaolo, his café to café doing only the high first producer for the CBC Ideas culture thing. More often than series entitled “The Natural not we’ve caught the first History of the Book.” release of a James Bond or an “During the course of this Indiana Jones movie, which Bill project I got to know Bill as a enjoys with boyish zeal! That’s person with one of the broadest the kind of guy he is... a man of ranges of scholarly and cultural boundless curiosity who is interests, a terrific sense of equally at home with Erasmus humour, and a great wit,” writes scholarship as he is with poputhe current CBC executive prolar culture.” ducer, who first met Barker in Barker’s scholastic achievethe early ’80s in the University of ments do not go forgotten when Toronto library, when they were colleagues think about what they both completing their doctorwould most remember him for. ates. “Our common interests led “Bill did great things for the to many a late night in long humanities programme,” writes meandering walks on the streets Nichol. “He’s been a very of Toronto talking about books, approachable head of departreading, life, teaching, and the ment. He’ll be remembered for media.” scholarship and his ability to [Barker has] one of the
Summer 2003
Tidings
inspire his students. He completed his work on the Spenser Encyclopedia while he was here — which in itself would be enough of a monument to remember him by. His Adages of Erasmus seems to have taken University of Toronto Press by surprise when it became Guardian’s book-of-the-week in the U.K.” Guthrie comments: “As department head over the last year, and before that as director of the MPhil (Humanities) he has fostered open, invigorating debate. When there is division, he doesn’t duck it, but makes sure all positions are heard and somehow moves discussion towards strategy. I have never seen him angry or dismissive of anyone; his perspective is generous; his words are always guided by respect and humour and finding a solution.”
19
Outgoing president proud of growth, reputation Colin Starnes says that while the university’s future remains fragile ‘its roots are around the boulders of the province’ By Becky Harris
C
olin Starnes looks out his office window at the Quad, at Alex Hall and at the library. His straight grey hair and the wrinkles in the corner of his eyes only begin to tell how, after 10 years as president, he’s ready to step down. He’s seen the university’s enrolment increase by about a third and the budget nearly double. He’s watched the Contemporary Studies
20
Programme bloom and two new programmes start. In the past two years he saw the New Academic Building and the link evolve from designs on paper. And now he’s seen the university appoint a new president. That, he says, was his last major task — to help find someone to run the college who has the energy to keep all of its parts running. When William Barker takes over he’ll have the not-so-easy task of running a university that doesn’t have the inertia of a larger college such as the University of Toronto. “There’s no putting in neutral and letting it coast,” Starnes says. “It has no auto pilot.” He says King’s is fragile and yet at the same time beyond anyone’s power to rip out. His advice to Barker and any president to follow: “Don’t be more complacent or less vigilant.” King’s makes him think of two contradictory images the new president will have to hold together. One is a piece of tissue paper which, with the slightest wind, can blow away. The other is a scene from the Aeneid where Dido ‘goes bananas’ because Aeneas is leaving her. She pulls out every stop to get him to stay but Aeneas’ mind remains unchanged, likened to an oak tree, its roots wrapped around the rocks. “King’s,” Starnes says, his eyes distant as he looks out the window, “has got its roots around the boulders of this
Tidings
province.” Starnes is proud of King’s ability to balance those two images over the past 10 years. He’s proud of King’s other contradiction: its ability to balance the hands-on world of journalism with high-end academics. “It’s amazing such a small school can have that,” he says. “[The university’s reputation] used to be known only to a small group of people, mostly Anglicans. It’s become much wider than that,” he says. King’s attracts more of its students from outside the province than any other Canadian University with the exception of Mount Allison, he says. That the university was able to attract someone like William Barker is also a testament to its good reputation, Starnes adds. He’s delighted that up until this academic year, King’s never picked a student for the Foundation Year Programme (FYP) based on marks. If a student was admissible to Dalhousie, he or she was admissible to King’s. Admissions were based purely on a first-come-first-serve basis. “It allowed late bloomers a chance to bloom,” Starnes explains. “People who weren’t turned on in high school got a chance.” The other philosophy behind the programme was its unique appeal. It’s a particular student who sees the programme outline and says, “That’s for me,” Starnes says. Coincidently, the people who chose the programme ended up being those with high marks. But so many students wanted to take the programme and it was becoming too difficult to justify why people were accepted based on time rather than marks so the school had to change the policy. “That doesn’t mean I don’t think
Summer 2003
it was right,” Starnes says. Starnes is also proud of the university because he says King’s is at a leading edge in figuring out new forms of undergraduate education. He says the college is unique in its development of an interdisciplinary curriculum. These accomplishments wouldn’t be possible without the Dalhousie-King’s relationship. Other universities have tried to imitate King’s Foundation Year, Starnes says, but they couldn’t do it. Dalhousie University provides the other half of King’s degrees, making it easier for King’s to provide FYP. Dalhousie also makes it possible for King’s to remain small while being big, something Starnes says is another important balancing act for the university. “There’s something wonderfully valuable in the willing relationship between these two separate institutions,” he says. “To see that come into being has been a delight for me.” But Starnes won’t take credit for King’s accomplishments. “It’s certainly not like I did any of this,” he says. “It’s the work of the college.” Although he’s modest, he has neglected years of study and teaching to run the university. While he has continued to give some FYP lectures, he has scarcely been able to write a paper in 10 years. And it’s the academic work, not the administration that he has loved most. His favorite memory is dates to 1972 when he first graduated from Dalhousie and was asked to be a FYP tutor. “I just fell in love with [FYP]. I found things in that programme I had been looking for through three degrees. It’s that sense of falling in love that I’ll never forget.” When he passes his throne over to William Barker, Starnes, his wife, his cat Montgomery and his dog Lucy will leave the Lodge and retreat to the house they’re building near Lunenburg. Then it’ll be catch up time. Starnes will return to studying one subject that still makes his eyes light up with energy: St. Augustine.
Summer 2003
‘It’s clear he’s been a popular president’ Colleagues say Starnes shepherded immense change during difficult period By Becky Harris
S
tudents, some glazy-eyed, some spellbound, are listening to a new lecturer speak of truth and beauty in the FYP lecture hall. The young speaker’s voice echoes through the room and reaches the ears of former vice-president Angus Johnston sitting near the back. Enjoying his colleague’s address, Johnston glances over his shoulder. Colin Starnes is just outside the room, listening intently. It’s a scene Johnston says he has witnessed many times during the past 10 years. And it reflects the kind of president Starnes has been, says Johnston, the university’s vice-president from 1988 to 2001. “Colin wanted to know what was actually moving in the intellectual life of the college and he was a great shepherd of that life because of his care and attention.” His academic vision made him a strong president, current vice-president Elizabeth Edwards says — but that doesn’t mean it was easy. “If you’re a university professor, you get to talk about truth and beauty and eternal human justice,” Edwards says. “When you become an administrator, you get to talk about paper clips and parking spaces. I think Colin has had the ability to keep the big picture even when having to deal with the very Henry Roper mundane issues.” Former King’s professor Henry Roper says Starnes will be remembered for this visionary spirit. “He wasn’t a president who saw himself as merely administrative,” Roper says.
Tidings
During his tenure, which began in 1993, Starnes presided over significant growth and fought to keep the university’s intimate academic environment. Johnston, who worked closely with Starnes for seven of his 10 years as president, says former Angus president Marion Fry Johnston left the university with a vision of interdisciplinary education continuing, beyond FYP, through the upper years. Starnes took up the challenge and shepherded the implementation of Early Modern Studies, Contemporary Studies and more recently, the History of Science and Technology programme. Such growth was quite an accomplishment, Edwards says, considering most Nova Scotia universities were shrinking when Starnes first took office. “King’s alone, of all of them, was growing,” she says. “How he managed to do that with the decline in government funding is a real credit to Colin Starnes.” It was also to Starnes’ credit that he defended the college against various forms of merger during the same period of his early presidency, Johnston adds. “That he encouraged growth ensured the college had a very special place in the Nova Scotia system,” he says. But as Starnes allowed King’s to grow, he also had to keep its sense of “intimacy and institutional care,” Johnston says. “It has taken way too much energy. He lived at this place.” The need for a new building was Continued on next page
21
STARNES / Continued from previous page
LONEY / Continued from page 23
another big challenge for King’s. Starnes played a key role in the university’s campaign to raise more than $6 million for the project and, being a carpenter himself, he took a special interest in the construction. Johnston says he remembers Starnes “watching almost every rivet that went into the New Academic Building.” Whenever the workers were doing anything new, there was Starnes, peering out the windows or walking around the site. “In another life he would’ve been building these buildings,” Johnston says. Starnes has also played a significant role outside the college, for two years chairing the Council of University presidents. Perhaps Starnes was a good fit for the university because of his love of practical activities such as carpentry and lobster fishing, and his love of academics. King’s plays a similar balancing act between the high academics of FYP and the practicality of journalism.
His next move was for love, not money. Loney met Karen Shewbridge (BJ ’84) while in journalism school and they married in December 1983. They’ve been together ever since. When she got a job at NTV in St. John’s in December 1991, Brett went along — even though he didn’t have a job. “I was a house husband for a month and a half,” he says. Loney and Shewbridge have two children: a girl, 18, and a boy, 13. While Shewbridge was anchoring a daily television news show, Loney found a job at the Telegram — the only daily paper in the city. He worked his way up from a general assignment reporter to managing editor, a position he held for five years. When Transcontinental Media took over the Telegram and the Daily News in August 2002, its corporate managers wanted Loney in Halifax. “It was time to move on,” says Loney, who says the days of working 15 years as managing editor in one place are gone. Loney says he and his family loved Newfoundland but were happy to move back to the city where he and Karen met. Karen now works in communications for the Department of National Defence in Halifax. Barb Sweet, a reporter who worked with Loney for nine years at the Telegram was sad to see him go. “It was a great loss for us, but a good opportunity for him.” Sweet says Loney was one of the finest editors she’s ever worked with. She says he took a hands-on approach to editing, “He gets right in there.” Sweet says Loney was a strong motivator and appreciated good writing. Sweet says he was also compassionate and caring on a personal level, “At one point,” she says, “I nearly left [the Telegram], but stayed on because of Brett.” To compete with the ChronicleHerald, Loney says the Daily News will focus on its strengths, which he says include its local sports and entertainment coverage. “People like our feistiness, too,” he says. But it may be a tough road ahead. Transcontinental president Andre Prefontaine told fourth-year
Rapport with students Edwards says Starnes also had the double ability to conduct formal business and to preside over a friendly, casual atmosphere. Despite being in office for so long, the students, faculty and alumni all seem to have a great respect for Starnes, Roper says. “He has the ability to create a sense of rapport with the students,” he says. “I think it’s very clear he’s been a popular president.” Starnes will also be remembered for his good humour — as Edwards says, “his willingness to make an ass of himself for the good of the college.” But as Starnes makes a new home in the South Shore, leaving his throne to William Barker, Johnston says it won’t represent any kind of end. “This is a beginning that he’s allowed,” Johnston says. While Edwards, Roper and Johnston all have faith Barker will do a great job of picking up where Starnes left off, Edwards says, “the hard part will be not making any comparisons.”
22
Tidings
“
I came for eight months to go to school. Twenty years later I’m still here.” Brett Loney
journalism student Kim McKay in September the Daily News already has more resources than many larger papers. He said changes to the paper wouldn’t necessarily include more money, staff or equipment. Five or seven years ago, Loney says he wouldn’t have been so optimistic about the future of newspapers. “I was worried because of the Internet,” he says. But he wants to make the younger generation readers of newspapers and believes the Daily News is the more youthful daily newspaper in Halifax. For the young journalists wishing to follow in his footsteps, Loney says, if they don’t have experience, “they’ve got to sell their enthusiasm.” It’s very important to be eager, keen and willing to do those nightshifts on internships and first jobs, he says. And, “You got to go where the work is.” For now, Loney is where the work is, and where he wants to be. He says he’s had the opportunity to go back to Alberta, but wouldn’t live anywhere else besides Atlantic Canada. “I came for eight months to go to school. Twenty years later I’m still here.”
Alexandra Society holds reunion The former members of the Alexandra Society held a reunion on April 28 and presented university president Colin Starnes with gift certificate to thank him for his support and encouragement. A group photo was hung in Alexandra Hall's Manning Room to commemorate the Society's final group of university supporters. The Alexandra Society disbanded last year, following its 100th anniversary.
Summer 2003
AlumniProfile
Daily News editor aims to capture young readers Bretton Loney (BJ ’84) is new owner’s pick to take on the Herald By Paula Gale
B
retton Loney (BJ ’84) sits in his bright, second floor office, just off the bustling newsroom of the Halifax Daily News in the Burnside Industrial Park. His office is a clutter of papers and notes; a sign that he’s a busy man. But he’s smiling. He’s enthusiastic about changes planned for the Daily News, even though at this point in mid-April he’s keeping mum about them. (The paper subsequently launched a makeover April 23 featuring a new masthead, more coverage of city issues and sports, and a new design.) Montreal-based Transcontinental Media lured Loney to Halifax in October 2002, shortly after buying the Daily News from CanWest Media. The sale removed the Daily News from a national chain of dailies including the Ottawa Citizen and the Calgary Herald, and put it in the hands of a large company best known for running weekly newspapers and publishing magazines such as Elle Quebec and Canadian Living. For Loney, who was managing editor of the Telegram in St. John’s, Nfld., it was a move he was willing to make, “The idea of being back in a two-newspaper town was very exciting,” he says. Loney says Transcontinental is ready to take on the competition
Summer 2003
— Halifax’s the Chronicle-Herald. “They are the first corporate owners that realize the opportunity and potential of the Daily News,” he says. Loney, 44, who’s from Bow Island, Alta., has a BA in political science from the University of Lethbridge in addition to his King’s degree. He chose King’s in 1983 after also being accepted at Carleton University and the University of Western Ontario because of the friendly reception he received upon hitchhiking to Halifax that summer. Loney says it was an intense year, but he loved being a journalism student at King’s. Eugene Meese, who still teaches the introductory reporting techniques course at the journalism school,
Tidings
says he doesn’t remember what grade he gave Loney for copy editing, but “He was a good guy then and he’s good guy now. I like him and respect him.” Loney has been a member of the journalism school advisory board since its inception in the mid1990s, offering input on the school’s curriculum and providing guidance to students. After receiving his bachelor of journalism, Loney’s first job was at the Daily News, where he’d worked part time while in school. He took a job at the Chronicle-Herald one month later because they offered him more money. He worked various writing and editing jobs at the Chronicle-Herald for seven years.
Loney at his desk in the Daily News’ Burnside office: “It was time to move on.” Photo: Paula Gale
Continued on page 22
23
UNIVERSITY OF KING’S COLLEGE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES AND SURPLUS FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2003
RECEIPTS Endowment Investment income Endowment donations General Investment income Annual fund Sale of memorabilia Annual dinner Special events Other TOTAL RECEIPTS EXPENDITURES Endowment Awards Bursaries Minority scholarship General Scholarships The John Godfrey Prize Professional fees Purchase of memorabilia Annual dinner Special events Bank charges Student activities Receptions and meetings (Recovery of) Travel and gifts Office and newsletter Gifts to endowment from events Gifts to endowment from general funds
TOTAL EXPENDITURES EXCESS OF RECEIPTS OVER EXPENDITURES SURPLUS - BEGINNING OF YEAR SURPLUS - END OF YEAR
2003 $
2002 $
13,020 7,082
16,864 4,295
20,102
21,159
4,086 19,940 14,814 2,066 6,940 485
4,841 19,925 14,361 2,088 7,156 167
48,331 68,433
48,538 69,697
9,400 6,000
9,550 2,000 6,000
15,400
17,550
100 2,299 10,484 1,717 3,518 46 500 (23) 741 290 3,770 1,727
16,000 100 2,193 9,920 1,705 4,655 46 1,550 475 2,099 222 2,885 -
25,169
41,850
40,569
59,400
27,864 277,301 305,165
10,297 267,004 277,301
The financial statements of the University of King’s College Alumni Association for the year ended March 31, 2003 were audited by Rector Colavecchia Roche, Chartered Accountants. A copy of the audited financial statements can be obtained from the Alumni Association office, or from <www.ukings.ns.ca>.
24
Tidings
Summer 2003
Encaenia2003
Clockwise from top left: the graduates’ procession leaves the quad; Jill MacBeath (BJH ’03) gives the valedictory address; Alumni Association president Tim Rissesco (BA ’93) presents Shauntay Grant (BJ ’03) with an alumni pin; BJs try out their academic hoods; former premier Russell MacLellan (BA ’62, DCL ’03) delivers the convocation address; graduates enter the cathedral; President Colin Starnes presents Adam Clay (BSc Hons. ’03) with the King’s Medal; and Ruth Davenport (BJ ’03) with the Governor-General’s Silver Medal. Photos by Kerry Delorey
Summer 2003
Tidings
25
Encaenia2003
2003 Honorary Degree Recipients
Graham Dennis
Lyse Doucet
Russell MacLellan
Jone Mitchell
(Doctor of Civil Law)
(Doctor of Civil Law)
(Doctor of Civil Law)
(Honorary Fellow)
Graham W. Dennis B.A, D.C.L., C.M., is publisher and Chief Executive Officer of The Halifax Herald Limited, the largest independently owned and operated newspaper in Canada today. Mr. Dennis was honored for his commitment to providing an independent voice for Nova Scotians and for developing the close ties of The Herald newspapers to their communities. Dennis has been a newspaperman all his life. He began working full time at his family’s paper in 1949 after graduating with a BA from McGill University. He assumed the role of publisher upon the death of his father in 1954. Dennis is passionate about his papers and the role they play in the day to day lives of Nova Scotians. Dennis received an Honorary Doctor of Civil Law Degree from Acadia University and served on Acadia’s Board of Governors for many years. He is an Officer of the Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John Jerusalem. In 1984 he was appointed Member of the Order of Canada. Mr. Dennis was also awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Medal and the Golden Jubilee Medal.
Lyse Doucet is a 20-year veteran BBC foreign correspondent whose skilled reportage of international news and events has garnered her a reputation of great trust and nuance among her peers and among BBC audiences world-wide. Throughout her career, this exceptional journalist has continuously put herself in harms way to cover the world’s hot spots from Africa to the Middle East, to Afghanistan and beyond. Doucet began her BBC career in Africa in the early 1980s where she covered military coups and the recurring drought in the Sahel. She spent five years in the Middle East, living first in Jordan where she reported on negotiations which led to the Israeli Jordanian peace agreement. She then moved to Israel, reporting on the aftermath of the Rabin assassination, inaugural Palestinian elections and the first difficult years of the Oslo peace accord. She has reported on the withdrawal of Russian troops in Afghanistan, suicide bombings in Israel and the West Bank, the funeral of the Ayatollah Khomeini and the Kurdish refugee crisis. Lyse Doucet is a native of Bathurst, New Brunswick. She has an MA in International Relations from the University of Toronto and a BA Honours from Queen’s University.
Russell MacLellan, Q.C., a King’s alumnus, was recognized for a distinguished career that has spanned more than two decades of public service as a Member of Parliament and, more recently, as Premier of Nova Scotia. MacLellan began his career as Executive Assistant to the President and Vice President of Cape Breton Development Corporation, later serving as in-house legal counsel. He was first elected to the House of Commons as Member of Parliament for Sydney in 1979 and was re-elected in four subsequent general elections. While in government, Mr. MacLellan served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministries of Regional Industrial Expansion, Health and Welfare, Justice and Mines. While in opposition, he served as Liberal Party Critic for Energy, Justice and Consumer and Corporate Affairs. He also served as Chair of the Atlantic Liberal Caucus. In 1997, MacLellan was elected Leader of the Liberal Party of Nova Scotia, serving as Premier for the next two years. Although his minority government was defeated in1999, he kept his seat until 2001 when he retired to private law practice.
Jone E. Mitchell, BA, CFRE, former Director of Alumni, Development and Public Relations at King’s, was awarded an Honorary Fellowship in recognition of the outstanding contributions she has made to King’s and to the King’s community. In her more than 11 years’ service as director, Mitchell successfully led three major fundraising campaigns, including A Rare Find Campaign to raise monies for construction of the university’s awardwinning library. In 1999 Mitchell helped establish and implement the College’s most recent campaign, the Building on a Strong Foundation capital campaign. Mitchell’s commitment to the university goes beyond fundraising. She worked closely with the Alumni Association to encourage branch development and growth; was Sexual Harassment Advisor, Equity Liaison Officer and also took an active role in helping form the university’s Racial Equity Policy. Mitchell graduated with a BA (Hon) from Carleton University and received her CFRE designation in 1993.
26
Tidings
Summer 2003
Atlantic Journalism Awards 2002 winners King’s journalism alumni made another strong showing at this year’s Atlantic Journalism Awards, held May 3 in Halifax. Keith Bonnell (BJH ’00) and David Redwood (BJ ’97) of the Halifax Daily News won the gold award in the category Spot News (Print) with fellow journalist Beth Johnston for their coverage of G7 street protests. Peter Evans (BJ ’97) and fellow Saltscapes journalist Larry Jenkins won the gold award for “Northern Lights” in the category Atlantic Magazine Article. Paul Pigott (BJ ’97) of CBC Radio, Labrador was the overall winner in the category Continuing Coverage (Radio) for “Moving to Natuashish.” Steve Sutherland ((BJH ’97) was one of a team of CBC Radio Maritimes journalists honoured as finalists for “BioInvader Alert.” Karen Rawlines (BJ ’00) of the
Telegraph-Journal, Bathurst Bureau was selected as the gold award winner of the Jim MacNeill New Journalist Award. Reporters Amy Smith (BJH ’92) and Susan LeBlanc (BJ ’86) were part of a Halifax Herald team of five that won the gold award in the category Enterprise Reporting (Print) for their Sydney Tar Ponds stories. Stephanie Porter (BJH ’97) of the St. John’s Express was a finalist with her story “Ocean Ranger.” Michael Ganley (BJ ’02), a reporter for the Halifax weekly, The Coast, was recognized as a finalist in the new sports reporting category for his story in Nova Scotia boxer Kirk Johnson. Sally Pitt (BJH ’94) of CBC-TV P.E.I. was a finalist in Enterprise Reporting (Television) for her story for story “In the Name of God.” Pauline Thornhill (BJH ’86) of CBC-
TV St. John’s was a finalist in Feature (Television) for “Seven Days.” Graduating King’s journalism student Laura deCarufel (BJH ’03) won the Imperial Oil Prize For Excellence for outstanding student work at the school.
Nolen named Hudson Award winner The Alumni Association recognized respected author and foreign affairs correspondent Stephanie Nolen (BJH ’93) at its annual alumni dinner held May 13th. Ruth Hudson (BA ’61) and journalism professor Michael Cobden presented Nolen with the Judge J. Elliott Hudson Distinguished Alumnus/a Award, the association’s highest honour. After completing her studies at King’s and later the London School of Economics, Nolen moved to the Middle East, learned Arabic and spent the next four years filing stories for Newsweek, The Independent and the Globe and Mail where she works today. A member of the Canadian War Correspondents’ Association, Nolen is an accomplished journalist whose reportage of international affairs has
Summer 2003
chronicled the ravages of war in the Middle East, global poverty, human rights violations and the AIDS pandemic in Africa. Her latest assignment was coverage of the war in Iraq. She wrote comprehensive background stories on Saddam Hussein and his government and filed reports from the Kurdish zone to the north. Nolen is author of two recently published books. Shakespeare’s Face is the true story of a Canadian family that claims to possess an authentic portrait of William Shakespeare painted by a distant relative, John Sanders. Sanders is alleged to have been a bit player in Shakespeare’s company. Her second book, Promised the Moon, is the previously untold story of 13 women astronauts who were denied their place in
Tidings
the space race. The Judge J. Elliott Hudson Distinguished Alumnus/a Award recognizes alumni who have made significant contributions to their profession, their community and to volunteer work. This is the ninth year it has been presented. Previous winners are John Stone (BAH ’65) in 2002, Peter Cheney (BJH ’84) in 2001, Ruth Hudson in 2000, Gordon Earle (BA ’63) in 1999. Bruce Archibald (BAH ’70) in 1998, Linda Fraser (BA ’63) in 1997, John Mark DeWolf (BAH ’68) in 1996, and Lois Miller (BA ’65) in 1995. Judge Elliott Hudson (BA ’24) was a long-standing member of King’s board of governors and past president of the Alumni Association.
Stephanie Nolen
27
The Alumni Association gratefully acknowledges
SPONSORS OF THE
King’s Classic Golf Tournament Thursday, August 14th, 2003 Sherwood Golf & Country Club Tee Off Time: 11 a.m. A fun event for golfers of all levels with lots of great prizes, great food and a great opportunity to get together with other King’s alumni. King’s has exclusive use of Sherwood’s facilities for the day. This year’s tourney features a shotgun start, best ball and ... a chance to win a new car! (hole-in-one competition) Dinner tickets are available for spouses and friends for $35
Your $125 ticket includes:
Alumni Annual Dinner held May 13, 2003
Scotia Private Client Group
Barrington Market Superstore Freshmart, Coburg Road Joseph Howe Superstore Peller Estates Quinpool Market Superstore Sobeys, Lacewood Drive
Barbecue Steak Dinner & Complimentary Drink One round of golf at Sherwood Golf & Country Club
Sobey’s Mumford Road
Great Prizes
Sobeys, Queen Street For more information and/or registration forms, please contact the Alumni Office: Ph: (902) 422-1271, ext. 128, fax: 425-0363 or e-mail: <paula.johnson@ukings.ns.ca>
Sobeys, Windsor Street Young Street Superstore
Registration forms can also be downloaded from the King’s Web site: <www.ukings.ns.ca> (Click on “News”) * EVENT PROCEEDS HELP FUND ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIPS, AWARDS AND BURSARIES *
28
Tidings
Summer 2003
AlumNotes the
50s
Malcolm Bradshaw (’54-’57 & ’58-’59) and his wife Shirley both received Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Commemorative Medals in recognition of their distinguished service to their fellow citizens, their community and to Canada. Soon to be published is their fourth book since 1995. It is the biography of Canon Alleyne Geord Bradshaw entitled, “The Life and Times of God’s Friendly Servant.”
the
60s
Jim Macpherson (BA Hon ’66), now lives in Papua, New Guinea, where he oversees the relationship between the national government and the provincial and local level governments. Jim extends a welcome to alumni/ae who wish to visit New Guinea. Jim can be reached at: <jmacpherson.igr@global.net.pg>. David Precious (’63) has been appointed Dean of Dentistry at Dalhousie University for a five-year term, effective July 1, 2003. Precious has been a professor at Dalhousie since 1973. He presently serves as Chair of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Sciences. He has also served as a member of the Nova Scotia Council of Higher Education and the Dalhousie Board of Governors. He is very active professionally, having served, among other appointments, as president of the Nova Scotia Dental Association and as president of the Medical Staff of the Victoria General Hospital. Dr. Precious has an international reputation as a scholar, educator and practitioner.
the
70s
George Burden (’74) was voted in as a member of New York’s Explorers Club for his medical-historical research and exploration activities. Other Club members include Sir Edmund Hillary, James Cameron and Robert Ballard. George recently celebrated the launching of “Amazing Medical Stories” a 20-story anthology of Canadian medical-historical events. George coauthored the book with Halifax journalist Dorothy Grant.
Summer 2003
Howard Shears (BA ’75) was recently appointed the Business Development Bank of Canada’s Vicepresident and Area Manager for Southern Ontario. He resides in London with his wife Mickey and children. Fellow alumni can contact Howard at: <howardshears@rogers.com>
the
80s
Wally Archibald ( BSc ’85) and Laura Dawson Archibald proudly announce the birth of Simon William on Feb. 14, 2003 in Ottawa, a brother for Samuel and Graham. Fellow alumni can contact Wally at: <warch@sympatico.ca> Geoffrey Gorham (BA ’86) is currently living in Minneapolis, Minn., and making a living as a professor of philosophy at Macalester College. He is husband to Amy Ihlan, who is an attorney and philosopher, and father to Sophie. Fellow alumni can contact Geoffrey at: <gorham@macalester.edu> Darren Greer (BA ’89) had his new novel, “Still Life with June’, published in May by Cormorant Books. <www.darrengreer.com>.Fellow alumni can contact Darren at: <darrengreer@rogers.com> Jean (Wright) Keohane ( BJH ’82) is living in England and working with the local health authority in community involvement. Jean is using her writing skills to develop plays and drama opportunities for people with learning disabilities. Friends visiting England can give Jean a call at 01204-305088. Jill (Little) Kruse (BJH ’87) and husband Greg, are pleased to announce the birth of identical twin girls, Victoria and Megan, born Nov. 1, 2002. Big sister Kari, 5, is thrilled with her baby sisters. Ian MacInnis (BSc ’86) and Elaine (Galey) MacInnis (BA ’85) are pleased to announce the birth of their first child, Daniel Leonard, on July 31, 2002. Fellow alumni can contact Ian at: <macinnis_ian@hotmail.com> Clare (MacKenzie) MacIntyre (BA ’89, BJ ’90) married Darrow MacIntyre April 6, 2002. Both Clare and Darrow work for CBC Television and live in Vancouver. Heather MacIvor (BA Hons ’85) married Kendal James McKinney Dec. 21, 2002 in Windsor, Ont. Heather is an associate professor at the University of Windsor. James MacQueen (BA ’89) is once again residing in Toronto and is currently Corporate vice-president of Real Estate for Alderwoods Group, Inc. Fellow alumni can contact James at: <james.macqueen@sympatico.ca> Laurette (aka Lori) Palmer (BSc ’81) is teaching at Ryerson University. Putting pen to paper is still a challenge, however e-mail is a means of communication she has mastered. She would love to hear from friends at: <laurette@rogers.com> Brian Pitcairn (BA ’73) has been working with the Loon River Cree First Nation in Northern
Tidings
Alberta to establish an on-reserve oil exploration programme with a Calgary oil company. The deal will give the community income and business investment opportunities. Joan Sinden (BA ’87) has developed a Web site entitled “Charlie loves Halifax” at <http://www.geocities.com/charlieloveshalifax/index.html> that promotes a dog-friendly city. The site includes a listing of dog-friendly stores and parks in the Halifax Regional Municipality as well as canine training tips. Fellow alumni can contact Joan at: <joan_sinden@yahoo.ca> Luanne Walton (BA ’86) continues her work in the constitutional and administrative law section of the federal Department of Justice. She was promoted to senior counsel in June 2001, specializing in the constitutional division of powers. In July 2002, Luanne became the Chief Executive Officer in Canada of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. This fraternal and charitable organization teaches leadership and community service to girls aged 11 to 21.
Yearbooks still available If you’re a recent grad and don’t yet have a copy of The Record for your graduation year let us know! A limited number of copies are available for pickup or delivery. While supplies last only. Call the alumni office at (902) 422-1271 or e-mail <paula.johnson@ukings.ns.ca>
Copies are available for the following years: 1992-93 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02
29
AlumNotes Christine Williams (BJH ’83) married Bill Laurence on June 29, 2002 at the University of King’s College Chapel. Christine and Bill reside in Halifax. Fellow alumni can contact Christine at: <christine.williams@aliant.ca>
the
90s
Meagan Austin (BA ’98) and Scott Sanford (BA ’92) are engaged to be married this summer in Prospect, N.S. Feel free to contact them at <scott@eastcoastoutfitters.net> Jason Brannen (BA ’93) relocated to Ottawa in June 2002. He is legal counsel with the Department of Justice, providing legal services to Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada. Kathryn R. Burton (BA ’98) graduated from Dartmouth College with a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies. She has accepted a position
with the Abortion Access Project and resides in Boston. Kathryn can be reached at: <kathryn.burton@alum.dartmouth.org> Beth Edwards (BSc ’94) and Christopher Culligan are happy to announce the birth of their first child, William Aubrey Edwards Culligan on April 9, 2003. Beth is a doctoral student in public health at the University of Toronto and Christopher is practising emergency medicine at two Toronto hospitals. Kelly (Goodyear) Foss (BJ H ’98) and her husband Jody are thrilled to finally announce the birth of their first child, Riley James Foss, on July 22, 2002. Kelly has just returned to work for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador as communications and policy research analyst with the Women’s Policy Office. Fellow alumni can contact Kelly at: <kfoss@gov.nl.ca> Jennifer Hiscock (BA ’98) took a position with the Government of Canada as a trade officer after completing a Master in Development Economics from Dalhousie. She currently works in for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency in Halifax. Fellow alum-
ni can contact Jennifer at: <jhiscock@acoaapeca.gc.ca> Heather (Carmichael) Kearney (BJH ’92) and her husband Sandy welcomed the arrival of their first child, MacKenzie Alexander on Jan. 3, 2003. Ross Kerr (BA ’95) is engaged to Sarah Gibbings. The wedding is planned for September 2003. Ross recently completed his MBA and continues to work with Canada Life in project management. Mary Beth Knight (BJ ’97) was recently appointed Director of Development at the University of Virginia’s School of Nursing. Cyndy Kuan (BA ’94) is pleased to announce her engagement to Richard Pearl of Ottawa, Ont. They will be married in the spring of 2004, in Hamilton, Ont. Antonia (Nonie) Elizabeth McKean Sly (BA ’99) and Brian Richard Cluny Nicholls (BA ’92) are happy to announce their engagement. Rev. Edward Rix (BA Hon ’92, Dean of Men ’95’97) and Sierra Rix are pleased to announce the birth of Gwyneth Lila Rix on Jan. 24,
In Memoriam By Greg Guy (BJH ’87) Friends, family, and King’s alumni of George Sean Earles (BJH ’86) were saddened by the news of his sudden death in Dartmouth on March 3, 2003. He was 38. At King’s everyone knew George. He excelled as a student and his sharp wit often dripped into his writing — just one of his many gifts. Away from the classroom, if there was an event on campus, George was there. He was always part of the annual theatre productions. He shined on stage and loved any chance to perform. It’s an understatement to say he was the life of the party. On March 23, King’s alumni and George’s friends and family gathered for an afternoon of remembrance at the Economy Shoe Shop in Halifax. Friends flew in from as far away as London, England, and across Canada for the weekend that helped us share stories about George — laugh, cry and celebrate his life. The night before, many alumni gathered at George the Lower Deck for what was Earles dubbed the “Beers and Tears Tour.” It was also a chance to establish the George Earles Memorial Scholarship Fund. Another event was held in George’s hometown of St. John’s at the Majestic nightclub on April 12. Again, friends and family from across Canada flew in to remember George. A CD was made of George’s favourite music, that of course, included loads of disco tunes. At the time of printing more than $7,500 had been donated. In order to endow the fund more than $10,000 has to be raised. George’s journalism career landed him jobs with the CBC and CBC Newsworld across the
30
Alumni gather to remember George Earles in Halifax March 23. From left: Stuart Moore (BA ’87), Veronica Newport (BA ’86), Trevor Greene (BJH ’88), Stephen MacLean (BSc ’87), Juliette Doucet-MacLean (BA ’87), Elaine Wright (BA ’97) and Greg Guy (BJH ’87) country. George was always travelling somewhere and for several years decided to work in the countries he visited including England, Finland and Australia. If he wasn’t dabbling in journalism, he would take on teaching positions using his education degree from Memorial University in St. John’s. Most recently he taught school on a reserve in northern Ontario. For several years, he jumped the journalism fence and took on public relations jobs with the government. In his hometown of St. John’s, he landed the job as communications director of the Newfoundland and Labrador tourism department. It was there his vibrant personality helped him sell the province. In 1999, George returned to the stage working in the Spirit of Newfoundland dinner theatre, a company he took on a tourism roadshow across the country in a promotional event called Soiree ‘99. He was also proud of his orga-
Tidings
nization of the anniversary of the Vikings arrival in Newfoundland and a huge celebration marking the first countdown in North America for the new Millennium, where he gathered international networks to cover the outdoor party on the St. John’s waterfront. For the past several years, George suffered from depression, which ultimately led to his untimely death. Those close to him suffered along with him and his disease — which was often left unspoken — and makes losing such a close friend, brother and colleague all the more difficult. Thanks, George for the wonderful memories that we will all cherish dearly. We’ll make sure that at future King’s gatherings you’ll continue to be the life of the party. A George Earles Memorial Scholarship has been set up at the University of King’s College. Donations can be made in George’s memory to the Alumni Office, University of King’s College, 6350 Coburg Rd., Halifax, N.S. B3H 2A1. Doris Lillian (Harrison) Brown (BA ’41), May 29, 2003, Ottawa, Ont. J. Melville Deacon (’55) of London, Ont, died April 21, 2003 The Honourable Richard James Doyle (DCL ’83) OC, Toronto, Ont., April 8, 2003. Claude M. Leighton (BSc ’40) of Moncton, passed away March 5, 2003. He graduated from Dalhousie’s medical school during his early years was active in the formation of the Moncton Branch of the Cystic Fibrosis Society. He worked diligently on behalf of the C.F. Children and was awarded the “Breath of Life Award” for outstanding service by the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Sarah Reid Morrison (BJH ’97), Feb. 14, 2003, Baddeck, N.S.
Summer 2003
AlumNotes Brian Flemming, CM, QC (DCL ’91) has been awarded the annual “Award of Achievement” by the Canadian transportation industry for his contributions to the industry. Flemming was chairman of the Canada Transportation Act Review Panel in 2000-01 and is currently chairman of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority. 2003. Eddy is Interim Rector of All Saints’ Church in Wynnewood, Pa., a suburb of Philadelphia. Fellow alumni can contact Edward at: <elrix@allsaintswynne.org> Jacqueline Roberts (BJH ’96) and Robert Amos are pleased to announce their engagement. Fellow alumni can contact Jacqueline at: <jackieis@hotmail.com> Linda (Norman) Skinner (BJH ’92) and husband Randy welcomed their daughter, Madeline Evelyn, on April 8, 2002. Linda is working in Corner Brook, Nfld., as communications coordinator for the Western Newfoundland
Model Forest. Fellow alumni can contact Linda at: <lskinner@wnmf.com> Sarah Tamsett (BA ’95) and Augustine Peters were married Nov. 17, 2001. Sarah completed her Licence and Maitrise in Contemporary European History at the Sorbonne, Université Paris. Sarah is now employed with the federal Department of Justice. Nick Taylor (’92) and wife Annie are pleased to announce the birth of Justin Trelawney Taylor on Jan. 28, 2003, a brother to sister Nicola Emily, 3. Nick would love to hear from friends at: <ntaylor@tiffany.com> or <nick_taylor73@sympatico.ca>. Jordi Valdes (BA ’93) published his first book of poetry and photography last fall titled “Fear of the Unknown Recollection.” He is also the production manager for the Sundance Film Festival, filmmaker liaison for the Miami Film Fest and teaches filmmaking classes in France for the New York Film Academy in the summer. Fellow alumni can contact Jordi at: <windsofchange68@hotmail.com>
the
00s
Genevieve Bonin-Labelle (BJ ’01) and Patrick Labelle were married in Ottawa on July 20, 2002. Fellow alumni can contact Genevieve at: <bugsbonin@hotmail.com> Heather (Hubley) Butler (BSc ’00) married Kurt Butler on July 7, 2001 in Charlottetown, P.E.I. Fellow alumni can contact Heather at: <heatheradair01@hotmail.com> Angela Chang (BJH ’03) was awarded the Joan Donaldson Newsworld Scholarship in honour of the founding head of CBC Newsworld. Paloma Hanlon (BJH ’01) married Stephen Cook at Brighton Town Hall Feb. 15, 2003. Dan de Munnik (BSc Hons ’02) is working in Halifax as an economist with the Bank of Canada after completing an MA in economics at McMaster. Contact Dan at: <danieljd@dal.ca>
YOU REMEMBERED! Thanks to William Bishop (LTh ’47), John Densmore (’46) Daniel Harlow (’49) and Ralph Lewis (’40) for helping with the identifications in our photo from last issue — the men’s field hockey team of September 1938. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
John Tasman (’40) Harvey Gilbert Nonnie Orlando Bob Dunsmore (’38) Rowland Frazee (DCL ’75) Martel Skinner
7. A.S. (Yank) Forsyth (’40) 8. Reg Bullock 9. Paul Howard 10. John Densmore (’46) 11. Philip Walker (’40) 12. T. Hubert Drillen (BA ’42)
Daniel Harlow and Bruce Ross (’54) also provided us with a interesting bit of information about the women in the previous issue’s photo. Harlow writes: 1
7
2
8
3
9
4
5
10
11
6
12
“The girl on the left is Inis Upitis and No. 2 is Austra Demidovar. I think it is the late 1940s and not in the ’50s. “These girls were Latvian immigrants known as Displaced Persons who had to spend one year in domestic service before they could be classed as landed immigrants. They were well educated, very pleasant and happy to be in Canada. Inis had a science degree and her first year of medicine. Austra was a nurse and one of the others had a degree in agriculture. “My roommate Bun Piggott and I were studying German so we left notes written in our best German for the cleaning staff and they in turn left us notes in their best English. On one occasion they invited us to a house party. They had friends who were working as domestics in private homes. That was quite a party.”
This issue’s photo is another one courtesy of John Tasman. Take a look ... (over) Summer 2003
Tidings
31
Tidings
Alumni Association University of King’s College Halifax, NS B3H 2A1 (902) 422-1271 ext. 128
Photo: John Tasman
WE NEED YOUR HELP ...
1
5
8
7 12
11 15
4
3
2
16
6 10
9 13
Here is another photo from our archives. Can you help us identify the people in it? The place? The date?
14 17
18
Photos on this page either have no notes accompanying them or are missing key information. Send your letter in care of the office of Alumni, Development and Public Relations.
Do you have any old calendars, yearbooks, photographs, theatre programmes or literary publications in your basement? King’s archives gratefully accepts King’s material of any kind.