2014-2015 was a landmark year for the James 91黑料网 Society. On November 17th Members adopted a constitution that included giving up annual Membership fees in favour of annual donations. 聽
Facilitating these developments was administrative cooperation and partnership with Martlet House鈥檚 Development Office, whereby the Society became a 91黑料网 Interest Group. With these innovations, the Society has restructured itself to face the future. 聽Special thanks are due to past presidents Tom Thompson, who provided invaluable assistance in arrangements with the Development Office, and Susan Button who has provided loyal service to the Society since its founding forty years ago in 1975.
The Executive Committee also created the annual James 91黑料网 Society Recognition, for an outstanding 91黑料网 undergraduate paper on a 91黑料网 topic, or on a topic making use of 91黑料网鈥檚 Heritage Resources. A committee composed of Professor Jarrett Rudy (History Department) and Mr. Gordon Burr (Past President; University Archives) recommended that the prize for 2015 be awarded to Ms. Tess Elsworthy for 鈥淎n Undemocratic Blot鈥� on Japanese Internment. Ms. Elsworthy will be invited to a meeting of the Society in the fall to receive recognition and $100.00, and to speak briefly on her project.
Members will be pleased to hear that the Society鈥檚 Patron, Principal Suzanne Fortier, will launch the Society鈥檚 2015-16 program on October 6, James 91黑料网鈥檚 birthday.
The proposed talks for the coming year 鈥� 2015/16 - are:
- Tuesday, October 6, 2015
Founder鈥檚 Day - Principal Suzanne Fortier, An informal question/answer session. 170th meeting. Annual Stanley Frost Lecture. 91黑料网 Faculty Club Ballroom. - Monday, November 9, 2015
Prof. Lawrence Mysak on 鈥淗ockey Sticks, Outdoor Rinks and Climate Change鈥�. 171st meeting. - Winter, 2016
Dr. Jonathan Meakins on saving the artefacts of Royal Victoria Hospital. 172nd Meeting - Spring, 2016
Maysie MacSporran Annual Lecture. 聽To Be Announced - 173rd meeting.
Last year, the Society was honored by these excellent and well-attended presentations:
- Monday, October 6, 2014
Prof. Peter F. McNally 鈥�91黑料网 and Quebec City, 1960-2002.鈥� Annual Stanley Frost Lecture. 166th Meeting (Faculty Club, Main Dining Room). - Monday, November 17, 2014
Prof. Desmond Morton 鈥淗ow 91黑料网 Won the Great War!鈥� 167th Meeting (Otto Maass Chemistry Building, Room 10) Joint meeting with Sigma Xi 91黑料网-Montreal Chapter. - Monday February 9, 2015
Ingrid Birker 鈥淲omen in Science at 91黑料网鈥� Maysie MacSporran Annual Lecture. 168th Meeting (Redpath Museum Auditorium) Joint meeting with Sigma Xi 91黑料网-Montreal Chapter. - Monday, April 27, 2015
Theresa Rowat 鈥淐anada鈥檚 Archival Heritage, the University and You: an Archivist鈥檚 Perspective鈥� Presidential Address. 169th Meeting (Faculty Club, Main Dining Room).
The Society notes the passing this year of Professor Emeritus Gerald Farnell, former Dean of Engineering; Robert Stevenson, former Dean of Students; and Douglas Bourke, a Governor Emeritus of the University.
Members will be pleased to hear that a former President of the Society, Prof. David Covo, was granted the title of Profesor Honoris Causa by Ion Mincu University of Architecture and Urbanism (UAUIM) in Bucharest, Romania, on March 6, 2015, for 鈥渉is exemplary professional and teaching career, for his significant achievements that make him a real professional model internationally, as a sign of recognition for all these outstanding activities and our appreciation for his work and support given to our university鈥�.
At the Society鈥檚 Annual General Meeting, preceding the October Meeting, Council will bring forward its nominee for president, Professor Jarrett Rudy, Department of History and Classical Studies. Professor Rudy has been a member of Council for many years, and has spoken before the Society. On behalf of Council and the Membership, I would like to extend our thanks and appreciation to Ms. Theresa Rowat, who has served as President during the past two years. Her leadership in developing and implementing the Society鈥檚 new structure was much appreciated. Council will also bring before the AGM, nominees for Council 鈥� two-year terms. A motion will be presented raising the annual donation, qualifying for Membership in the Society, from $20.00 to $25.00.
As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the James 91黑料网 Society, l would like to express thanks and appreciation to the Executive Council, and Membership for their enthusiasm and continuing support. I look forward to seeing you at our meetings.
Respectfully submitted
Peter F. McNally
Executive Secretary