The Office of the Bursar was created in 1910. As head of financial affairs, a Bursar was more compatible to the administrative framework of other universities in Canada. The initial duties of the Bursar were the collection of all fees, control of funds and disbursements, donations, purchasing, supervision of grounds, and progressive measures in the investment of funds and the enlargement of finances. By 1913, the Bursar was also in charge of the book department, boarding, grounds and gardens, buildings and heating plant.
By 1924, the Bursar had become so involved in the management of College affairs that the Board established a committee to examine the functions of the President and the Bursar “with a view to readjustment for efficiency.” The committee presented its report later that year, clearly defining nine functions of the Bursar. These functions were the keeping of books, banking, general handling of student fees and accounts, general handling of all trade accounts, handling of maintenance and extension movement pledge cards and receipts, general responsibility for the purchase of all supplies, supervision of fireman and janitor, supervision of buildings and grounds and the submission of a monthly report to the Secretary of the Executive. In 1929, the Bursar took on the role of Secretary to the Executive.
At several times during the history of Brandon College the Bursar and the Registrar were combined into one job.
BRANDON COLLEGE BURSARS:
R.J. KENNEDY (1910 - 1911)
No biographical information yet.
S.J. MCKEE (1911-1913, 1914-1915, 1919-1920)
Information about S.J. McKee can be found under the heading MG 1 Brandon College Teaching and Learning.
C.W. JACKSON (1913 - 1914)
No biographical information yet.
JOHN HARRIS MCKEE (1915 - 1918)
J.H. McKee was S.J. McKee’s son. He was born in Ingersoll, Ontario. He moved to Rapid City in 1881 with his family. In 1890 he moved to Brandon where his father opened McKee’s Academy. Harris attended Brandon College, graduating in 1914. When the war broke out he was not medically able to participate. He then took a position as Brandon College Bursar. In 1918, Harris resigned from his job to take up farming. He had several bouts of bad luck: drought, grasshoppers, frost, and other farming catastrophes, and was not too successful, having a list of 50 creditors at one point.
GEORGE H. ROSS (1918 - 1919)
Little is known so far about George Ross. He was a teacher before coming to Brandon College. He taught in Chatham, Ontario for a while, as well as at the Rider Moore College of Business in Trenton, NJ. From 1914-1919 Ross was also the Director of the Business Department at Brandon College.
S. EVERTON (1920 - 1923)
No biographical information yet.
E. SCOTT EATON (1923 - 1931)
E. Scott Eaton was born in Auburn. He graduated from Acadia University in 1903 and the Maritime Business College in 1904. Eaton then taught at the Maritime Business College and the Charlottetown Business College. For a time he was head of the Business Department at Alberta College. Eaton was the owner/manager of the Success Business College in Vancouver before coming to Brandon College. He occupied this position from 1923 until 1931. In 1931 he became purchasing agent and the superintendent of buildings and grounds at Acadia University. He became an accountant at H.T. Warne Ltd. in Digby, NS in 1940. Around 1953, Eaton became the Town Clerk of Digby. Eaton died at the age of 80 around 1962.
M.S. DONOVAN (1931 - 1936, 1939 - 1948)
No biographical information yet.
N. KEITH MCKINNON (1936 - 1939)
Keith McKinnon was born in Weyburn, Saskatchewan. After working in Weyburn he attended Brandon College, specializing in Political Economy. He was very active in all aspects of students affairs and was elected Senior Stick in his final year. He was appointed to the position of Registrar following his graduation from Brandon College.
D.R. MACKAY (1948 - Brandon University)
Information about D.R. MacKay can be found under the Office of the Registrar.
Scope and Content
The Bursar series revolves around the finances of the school. There are invoices from general accounts, letters from businesses, and receipts for payments. There are also numerous student accounts, wage lists and letters regarding teachers’ salaries. The Bursar did a lot of the correspondence regarding mortgages, estates, property, and other legal matters. The series is mainly correspondence to and from the Bursar regarding accounts, overdue accounts, pleas for financial support and numerous other matters. As well, there are financial statements, fundraising lists, and subscription lists. The series is not broken down by Bursar, but instead is grouped together chronologically.
Storage Location
RG 1 Brandon College fonds
Series 3: Office of the Bursar
Arrangement
Series has been divided into seven sub-series, including: (1) R.J. Kennedy; (2) S.J. McKee; (3) C.W. Jackson; (4) John Harris McKee; (5) George H. Ross; (6) S. Everton; and (7) E. Scott Eaton.
The Office of the President of Brandon College was established in 1899 under the title of Principal. The Principal was the head of the Academic Department and the Administrative body. In 1910, the position of Principal was changed to the position of President. There is no documented reason given for this change, but it was consistent with other universities and colleges at the time. When the institution was first organized in 1899, the role of the Principal was quite varied. It was the Principal who acted as both Registrar and Bursar, in addition to his duties as head of administration. The Principal also acted as a professor. It was the Principal who kept the college in contact with the Baptist Union. The Principal also acted as the liaison between the Board of Directors and the Senate, being an ex-officio member of both. In 1910, the roles of Registrar and Bursar were no longer the responsibility of the President. In the 1920’s the President became increasingly involved with fundraising and traveled extensively in search of financial support.
In 1938, following the “Act to Incorporate Brandon College Incorporated,” the Board of Directors, under by-law #1, assigned the President with “the internal management of the business of the Corporation insofar as it relates to the students, teaching and office staff shall be under the direct supervision of the President, subject to the order of the Board.” In 1965 the President’s Office was created, consisting of the President, Executive Assistant to the President (later Deputy to the President), and Secretary to the President who was also the Public Relations Assistant. From 1899 until 1967 the Office of the President was administered by six different men.
Scope and Content
Series consists of records generated and collected by various presidents. The series has been divided into six sub-series, including: (1) Dr. Archibald P. McDiarmid; (2) Dr. Howard Primrose Whidden; (3) Dr. Franklin W. Sweet; (4) Dr. David Bovington; (5) Dr. John Robert Charles Evans; and (6) Dr. John E. Robbins.
Storage Location
RG 1 Brandon College fonds
Series 2: Office of the Principal/President
The Brandon College Dean was the head of the College in the absence of the President. It was created in 1925 after the sudden passing of Dr. Sweet. Dr. Harris MacNeill, who had been Dean in Arts up until that time assumed the position of College Dean. The duties of the College Dean were as follows:
1. In the absence of the President of the College he shall exercise the functions of the President in relation to all “inside” College matters; it being understood that frequently it may be necessary for him to exercise his personal judgment apart from anything that may be specified in this memorandum.
2. With respect to matters of special importance arising unexpectedly he shall consult with the Chairman of the Board, or by telegram with the President, or both.
3. All questions arising that have a direct connection with the “business” aspects of College affairs shall naturally be referred to the Chairman of the Board, or the President, or both.
4. In the absence of the President he shall preside at all Faculty meetings, Committee meetings of which the President is Chairman, and shall attend meetings of Committees of which the President is an ex-officio member.
5. In the President’s absence he shall preside at the regular Chapel Exercises and at special College gatherings in the Chapel at which the President would naturally be expected to preside.
6. He shall also keep in touch with the work of the several departments of the College and shall consult frequently with the Heads of such departments.
7. While the Lady Principal and the Resident Master are responsible for the detailed administration and discipline of the College life and activities of Clark Hall and Brandon College respectively, the College Dean shall have the absent President’s responsibility for the general discipline of the College in respect of the students’ relation to Courses of Study, Corridor, Campus, etc.
8. That the President when absent may be kept in touch with the work of the Institution it is desirable that the College Dean keep him informed of the more important happenings and problems with College life.
9. Throughout the Session the College Dean shall be Registering Head of the Arts Department.
The position of College Dean continued until 1952. In 1952 the position became known as the Dean of Arts and Science. In 1963, another change occurred, with the two departments going separate ways. From that time on there was both a Dean of Arts and a Dean of Science.
BRANDON COLLEGE DEANS:
HARRIS LACHLAN MACNEILL (1925, 1926-1928)
Dr. MacNeill was born in Paisley, ON on November 29 or 30, 1871, the son of Rev. Donald and Amanda (Hemenway) MacNeill. He received his B.A. from McMaster University in 1894. He was also educated at the Ontario College of Pedagogy and the University of Toronto. From 1895 until 1898 he was a teacher at Woodstock College. In 1899 he married Anne Hatch. From 1899 until 1903 he was a professor of Latin at Washburn College in Topeka, Kansas. In 1903 he accepted an offer to teach Latin and German at Brandon College. In 1909 he was a Professor of the New Testament, Language and Literature, as well as Resident Master. Dr. MacNeill was the Academy Principal for two years. He then received his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1911. MacNeill acted as the Dean of Arts from 1912 until 1930. Dr. MacNeill was the central figure in the scandal involving Brandon College in the early 1920’s. The Fundamentalist Baptists accused Brandon College, and Dr. MacNeill especially, of teaching Modernist views. He was absolved of any charges at the 1924 Baptist Convention in Chicago.
Dr. MacNeill was Acting President of Brandon College after Dr. Sweet died for the period from January 1925 until Dr. Bovington was hired in August 1925. After Dr. Bovington resigned in May of 1926, Dr. MacNeill again accepted the position of Acting President from May 1926 until April 3, 1928, when he retired as College Dean. Dr. MacNeill taught Latin and Greek for two more years then retired from Brandon College in 1930. He accepted a position at Fairview Church in Vancouver, B.C. where he remained until 1932. In 1932 he was offered a teaching position at McMaster University. He married his second wife, Vera Leech, in 1939. He remained at McMaster teaching New Testament Interpretation until 1943 when he retired. Dr. MacNeill was the first person to receive an honorary degree from Brandon University in 1967. He continued to do religious research until his eyesight failed at age 97. On January 15, 1974, Dr. MacNeill died at the Chedoke Hospital at the age of 102.
JOHN ROBERT CHARLES EVANS (1928)
Information on J.R.C. Evans can be found under the heading Office of the President.
W. BURTON HURD (1929-1935)
No biographical information yet.
C.F. RICHARDS (1935-1937)
Information on C.F. Richards can be found under the heading Office of the Registrar.
REV. EVAN M. WHIDDEN (1937-1938)
See MG 1 Brandon College Teaching and Administration, 1.8 Evan McDonald Whidden fonds for biographical information and additional records related to Rev. Evan M. Whidden.
A. HAYWARD FOSTER (1938-1939)
No biographical information yet.
F.J. WESTCOTT (1939-1945)
Frederick James Westcott was born in Douglas, Manitoba. He began taking classes in the Academy at Brandon College in 1918. He entered the Arts course in 1921 and specialized in Political Economy. He received the Special Political Economy Medal in his final year. He was very active on committees and associations, as well as sports. Westcott served as the Senior Stick during the school term 1924-1925. He graduated with his B.A. from Brandon College in 1925.
Westcott received the position of Student Assistant in the Academy the following year. He left soon after to pursue post-graduate work. He received his M.A. in economics from Harvard and spent two years at the University of Toronto on a teaching scholarship in economics, completing the course work leading to the Ph.D. degree. In 1929, he returned to Brandon College and took up the position of Associate Professor of Political Economy. It was also in 1929, that Westcott married Rose Vasey, a 1926 Brandon College graduate. The following year, Westcott was the Resident Master of Brandon College, as well as being an Instructor in Political Economy and Sociology. The Resident Master position only lasted the one school year. He accepted the post of Acting Dean of Arts and Science in 1939. From 1942 until 1945 he was away on military leave with the National War Finance Committee. He resigned from the position of College Dean in 1945. From 1945 on Westcott and his family resided in Toronto. He died suddenly in 1961.
HENRY STEWART PERDUE (1947-1952)
Dr. Perdue was born in 1904 near Souris. He graduated from the Souris Collegiate in 1920. After working several odd jobs, Dr. Perdue entered Brandon College in 1924. He graduated with his B.A. in 1928. After graduation, Dr. Perdue was hired as a teacher in the Academic Department. He received his M.A. in 1930, and went on to receive his Ph.D. in Geology from the University of Chicago. In 1930, Dr. Perdue became the Director of the Matriculation Department as well as an Instructor in Geology. In 1931, he took over the position of Resident Master. In 1937, he married Ella May Higgens, who was the Resident Nurse. From 1938 until 1948, Dr. Perdue acted as Registrar of Brandon College.
In 1947, Dr. Perdue accepted the position of College Dean. This position ran until 1952, when it was changed to the position of Dean of Arts and Science. Dr. Perdue also held this position until 1962, when the office separated into the Dean of Arts and the Dean of Science. Dr. Perdue continued in the position of Dean of Science until 1967. After Dr. Evans death in July of 1959, Dr. Perdue became Acting President. He held this position from August 1959 until August 1960, when Dr. Robbins was appointed President. Dr. Perdue retired from teaching Geology in 1973. He died on December 22, 1979 at the age of 75.
DEAN OF ARTS AND SCIENCE:
H.S. PERDUE (1952-1963)
Information on H.S. Perdue can be found under the heading College Dean.
DEAN OF ARTS
R.F.B. KING (1963 - Brandon University)
Information on R.F.B. King can be found under RG 6 Brandon University fonds, sub-sub series 7.1.1 Dean of Arts.
DEAN OF SCIENCE:
H.S. PERDUE (1963-1967)
Information of H.S. Perdue can be found under the heading College Dean.
Scope and Content
The series consists of records from MacNeill's term as College Dean (1921-1928). It also includes correspondence during the time that MacNeill was Acting President. It contains letters to and from MacNeill regarding examinations, students, business, and finances. Some earlier letters also include correspondence regarding the controversy MacNeill was in during the Baptist Fundamentalist/Modernist Debate in the early 1920’s.
Records from Evans' term as Acting Dean have been included in his Presidents' files. There are no records from the terms of the other College Deans, except R.F.B. King; his records have been encorporated into RG 6 (Brandon University fonds), 7.1.1 (Dean of Arts).
Storage Location
RG 1 Brandon College fonds
Series 6: Office of the College Dean
Related Material
RG 6, sub sub series 7.1.1 (Dean of Arts) for additional Dean's records and RG 6, series 9 (Department of Extension) for additional records related to H.S. Perdue.
See RG 6, sub-series 4.1 Vice-President (Academic and Research) and 4.2 Vice-President (Administration and Finance) for history/bio information.
Scope and Content
Series consists of records generated and collected by the Office of the Vice-President in the course of performing its functions. The fonds has been divided into two sub-series, including: (1) Vice-President (Academic and Research); and (2) Vice-President (Administration and Finance).
Notes
A portion (2.3 m) of the records in this series are unprocessed.
Box contains unbound Manitoba Pool Elevators central office meeting minutes including MPE Board of Directors minutes January 15-16,1985 to July 17,1996.
Student activity: Sticks of office used by Senior Stick and Lady Stick. c. 1919 – 1966 and later, housed in a display case in the Robbins Library Reading Room
BRANDON UNIVERSITY REGISTRARS:
W.L. CLARK (1967-1968)
See MG 3 1.14 (W. Leland Clark fonds) for biographical information on W.L. Clark.
R.J. MCCARTHY (1969-1970)
Ron J. McCarthy was born in Niagara Falls, Ontario. He obtained his B.A. from Sir George Williams University, Montreal. From September 1960 to May 1962, he was employed by the Dean of Students Office, Sir George Williams University, as liason between the Evening Students Association and the Dean of Student Affairs Office. The following year, he worked with the Adult Education Department of the Montreal Y.M.C.A. at the International Branch Y. In April 1963, McCarthy commenced his duties as Assistant Registrar at his alma mater. From there he moved on to become the registrar of Niagara College of Applied Arts and Technology, a post which he held until assuming the post of Registrar at Brandon University June 1, 1969. McCarthy and his wife Carol had three children. Ronald McCarthy died in Brandon, MB on December 9, 1970.
A.R. BALCHEN - Acting Registrar (1971-1973)
A. Richard Balchen, was born in Pine Falls, Manitoba and he obtained his B.A. (1965) and his Education I deiploma (1966) from Brandon College and his M.Ed. from the University of Alberta in 1968. Prior to accepting the position of Assistant Registrar at Brandon University in 1970, Balchen taught at Salisbury Composite High School in Sherwood Park, Alberta. Balchen was named Acting Registrar in 1971, following the death of Ronald McCarthy.
At the time of his appointment to Brandon University, Balchen was married to Sigrid (nee Birkinshaw) of Brandon, who was also a graduate of Brandon College (B.A. 1966). Together they had two children. At present (January 2006), Richard Balchen and his wife live in Whistler, BC.
C.W. KENNEDY (1973-1987)
Chris Kennedy was born in Watford, Hertfordshire on June 11, 1933. At the beginning of World War II he and his siblings were placed in Catholic orphanages, where he recieved some elementary and secondary education. He enlisted in the Royal Air Force in 1951 for a five year stint as an Airborne Radio Equipment Technician. During his time in the Air Force, Kennedy rose to the rank of Corporal and was posted in Singapore from 1954-1956.
In 1960, Kennedy moved to Canada; he received his Canadian Citizenship in 1967. Kennedy registered as a Mature Student in Grade XI at the Collegiate Division in 1961. After Grade XI graduation he attended the United College University (1962-1967) and graduated with a B.A. degree.
While at the Collegiate Division, Kennedy met his future wife, fellow class mate Charlotte Marie Reimer, whom he married in 1965. The two adopted a daughter, Katharina Alice, in 1967.
On November 1, 1967, Kennedy was appointed Associate Registrar at the new University of Winnipeg Registrar's Office. He stayed in that position until 1973, when he applied for the position of Registrar at Brandon University.
Kennedy served as Registrar at Brandon University from 1973 to 1987. During that time he served as Secretary of the Senate, its standing and various ad hoc committees and sometimes for the Board of Governors. As Registrar he visited high schools, was in charge of Admissions, Student Records, Scholarships, the BU Calendar, Convocation and a number of other minor responsibilities. With the help of Wesley Wong, he was also able to get the BU student record system computerized. While living in Brandon, Kennedy was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Brandon. He was also instrumental in the formation of the Westman Chapter of the Kidney Foundation.
After the death of his wife, Kennedy decided to leave Brandon University for the position of Coordinator of Registrar Services at Athabasc University (1988-1990). In 1990, he returned to Winnipeg where he enrolled at the Canadian Mennonite Bible College, graduating with a Bachelor of Theology degree in 1993. He worked the next few years in the Student Records Office at the University of Winnipeg before retiring at the mandatory age of 65 years.
Since his retirement Kennedy has continued to live in Winnipeg where he has kept busy with a variety of projects, including writing a book of daily devotionals. He is also involved in the life of his church.
D.C. BALES (1988-1989)
Donald C. Bales graduated from the University of Winnipeg. In the fall of 1987, he was appointed Registrar of Brandon University; he had been previously appointed to a three-year term (renewable) as Director of Student Records at Brandon University effective August 1, 1986 and continued in that roll after becoming Registrar.
Prior to coming to Brandon University Bales was a Management Analyst for the British Columbia Ministry of Education. He also had experience with the Federal Government and with the Forest Products Research Labratory located at the University of British Columbia. While in B.C. Bales was also Chairman of the Juan de Fuca Parks and Recreations Commission for a number of years.
Bales left his position at Brandon University after one year to resume his career in the British Columbia civil service. At present (January 2007), Don Bales is the Director of Strategic Management for the B.C. Attorney-General's court services branch.
*Between the departure of Don Bales and Tom Mitchell's tenure as Registrar, there were two Acting Registrar's: Michael Blanar and Gordon Reimer.*
T. S. MITCHELL (1991 - 1996)
Thomas Sydney Mitchell was born on April 23, 1949 in Brandon, Manitoba. He attended Brandon University, graduating with a B.A. in 1970. While an undergraduate Mitchell played for the Brandon University Bobcat hockey team. He was also a member of the Senate Committee on Student Affairs. Mitchell obtained his M.A. from the University of Manitoba in 1973. From 1972-1973, he also completed the Education Certification program at the Faculty of Education, Brandon University.
During the 1970s, he taught high school in Brandon. Mitchell came to the University in 1981 to a position in Student Services. He served as Dean of Student Services from 1983-1989 and in 1991, he was appointed Registrar. Mitchell served in this position until 1996.
From 1996 - August 31, 2011, Mitchell was University Archivist and taught courses in Canadian history under the auspices of the History Department. Throughout his tenure at Brandon University Mitchell was engaged in research and publication of historical work dealing with the history of education, labour and the state.
Mitchell and his wife Bonnie have two children, Jennifer and Drew.
DARCY BOWER (1998 - 2005)
Darcy Bower was born in Montreal, Quebec, in 1942. She was adopted at birth by an American couple and spent her early childhood in Jacksonville, Florida before the family settled in Portland, Oregon and its suburbs. Bower attended the University of Oregon from 1960-1963 as a journalism major, then spent some time in New York City, before completing a B.A. in English at Portland State College in 1965. She obtained her M.A. in English at the University of Kansas, in Lawrence in 1968.
Bower taught at the Tuskegee Institute, Alabama from 1968-1970, before moving to south-central Indiana in 1970 as a result of her marriage. In Indiana she worked first for Bartholomew County Welfare and then for Indiana Vocational Technical College.
In 1971, her husband, Arthur Bower, joined the faculty of the School of Music at Brandon University. Although a stay at home mom for much of the period 1971-79, Darcy spent some time working at Children's Aid and Brandon Citizen's Adovocacy, as well as teaching at Cameron University in Lawton, Oklahoma in 1975-76. In 1979, she came to Brandon University as a sessional instructor for 99:090 Communications.
While employed at Brandon University, Bower held many positions, including: instructor (1979-82); Coordinator, Mature Student Centre (1982-92); Coordinator, Bachelor of General Studies Degree program (1987-92); Acting Dean of Student Services (1992); and Dean of Students/University Registrar (1993-2005). Following her term as Dean of Students/University Registrar, she worked as an Academic Advisor, specializing in advising student athletes. Bower retired from Brandon University in 2012.
Darcy Bower and her husband Arthur (Art) Bower have five children.
JANET S. WRIGHT (2005 - July 31, 2008 (first year as Acting))
See RG 6 Brandon University fonds, Series 7 Faculties and Schools, 7.2.1 Dean of Science for biographical information on Janet Wright.
LAWRENCE VANBEEK (August 1, 2008 - October 2010)
VanBeek completed his Bachelor of Theology Degree at Central Pentecostal College in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in 1985 and his M.A. in Theology from Providence Theological Seminary in Winnipeg in 1991. He obtained his Ph.D. in Theology from the University of South Africa, Pretoria in 1997.
From 1985 until 2004, VanBeek taught history, languages and university transfer coruses at various post-secondary institutions in British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. From 1991-1997, he served as the Dean of the Native Studies Program at Central Pentecostal College. From 1997-2006, VanBeek was the Executive Director of Enrolment Services at Trinity Western University in Langley, British Columbia. From 2006 until he arrived at Brandon University, he served as President of Rocky Mountain College in Calgary, Alberta.
Notes
Chris Kennedy and Darcy Bower proided their own History/Bio information. History/Bio information for D.C. Bales was taken from Campus News -September/October 1986, and Campus News - October 1987. History/Bio information for Lawrence VanBeek taken from the Fall/Winter 2008 issue of Alumi News.
Storage Location
RG 6 Brandon University fonds
Series 5: Office of the Registrar
