Dr. Evans was born in Nanaimo, B.C. on March 15, 1891. In the fall of 1907, at the age of sixteen, Dr. Evans entered the Academic Department of Brandon College. He played an integral part at the College, participating in academics, sports, and various other college functions and organizations. In his final year he was Senior Stick, the highest position in the Student Government. In 1913, Dr. Evans graduated from Brandon College. Immediately after graduation he was hired to teach Science and Academic Mathematics. In 1917, he became Principal of the Academic Department, while continuing to teach Mathematics and Science. Dr. Evans took leave in 1920 to study post graduate work at the University of Chicago. During the summers, he was the Acting Dean of the Department of Geology in Chicago. He received his Ph.D. in Geology in 1923, and returned to Brandon College. His new positions at the college were of Professor of Geology and Resident Master. He also taught some Chemistry.
On August 1, 1927, Dr. Evans married Adelene M. Bailey (Class of 1921, Music 1924) at the Joseph Bond Chapel in Chicago. He took over as College Dean in 1928 after the position became vacant. In September of 1928, Dr. Evans accepted the position of President of Brandon College, thus becoming its fifth president since the college’s inception. Dr. Evans was head of the college at a very difficult time. He guided the College through the Depression and repeated threats of closure from the Baptists. Dr. Evans resurrected the Department of Theology in the mid-1930’s. He helped with the reorganization of Brandon College as a non-denominational college in 1938, and its new affiliation with the University of Manitoba. During World War II, Dr. Evans started a War Emergency Fund, aimed at keeping the College from sinking into debt during the war years as enrollment shrank. With increased financial support from the government, Dr. Evans began expansion plans for the College. In 1958, he created the Dr. J.R.C. Evans Student Loan Fund in conjunction with the Alumni Association in order to provide worthy students with interest-free loans. It was also in 1958 that Dr. Evans was awarded the Queen Elizabeth Coronation Medal for his outstanding contribution to education in the British Commonwealth.
On July 29, 1959, Dr. Evans died suddenly at his summer home in Robson, B.C.. On his desk was the programme for the sod-turning ceremony for the new Arts and Library Building and Lecture Theatre. When it was completed, the Lecture Theatre was christened the Dr. J.R.C. Evans Lecture Theatre on behalf of the man who had made sure that it would be built. The Theatre had been his dream, a place to hold Chapel and Assemblies, as the student body grew in number.
Scope and Content
Photograph is a portrait of John Robert Charles Evans, Brandon College student, faculty member and president.
Notes
Information that accompanies the photograph reads: John Robert Charles Evans. Born 1891 in Nanaimo, BC. Died 1959 in Brandon, MB. President of Brandon College 1928-1959. Professor of Geology 1923-1959. Instructor, Academic Dept 1913-1920. Note: Evans actually died in Robson, B.C. not in Brandon, MB. History/Bio information copied from the Brandon College fonds finding aid.
Photograph of the Brandon College Literary Society Executive 1911-1912.
Back Row (L to R): F. Freer ’15 (Editor of Critic); H.E. Green, Theo. (Pres.Deb.Soc.); W.Wilkin ’13 (Reading Room Com.); J. Robinson ’13 (2nd Vice Pres.); and H. Wilson (Treas.).
Front Row (L to R): M. Reid ’14 (Pres.C.H. Lit.); K. Johnson ’14 (1st Vice Pres.); J. Evans ’13 (Pres.); and W. Speers ’13 (Sec.).
Portrait of the 1910-1911 Brandon College football team. Front left: W. C. Smalley. Front centre: Archie Gordon. Back row (second from right): J.R.C. Evans.
The 1927-1928 team won the provincial championship in women's basketball, beating the Winnipeg Athletics 45 to 2.
Scope and Content
Portrait of the 1927-1928 Brandon College women's basketball team. L to R: Dr. Evans (coach), Ruth Bingham, Jerrie Balmer, Jean Gammon, Jean Doig, Ann Foster, Helen Ball, Evelyn Doig, Ella Bowering
Photograph of the Brandon College women's basketball team.
Notes
The following signatures, along with the sentence "with sincere appreciation" are written on the back of the matting: Dorreene Fleming, Jackie Fleming, Grace Armstrong, Shirle Hurst, Eunice Hunter (captain), Doreen Rowse, Margaret Clark, Patricia Hill, M. Ruth Clark.
Photograph was tranfered to the McKee Archives from the Gymnasium in December 2011 during the construction of the Healthy Living Centre.
Scope and Content
Item is a composite team portrait of the 1913-1914 Brandon College hockey club. The team were winners of the Brandon City League Cup in 1911-1912, 1912-1913, and 1913-1914.
There is a tear at the bottom of the photograph towards the right corner.
Scope and Content
Portrait of the Brandon University Lady Bobcats field hockey team. Back Row (L to R): Mary Jo Abbott, Diane Cop, Mona Harley, Brenda Johnson, Kirsty Henderson, Wendy Benyk, Jean Dell, Nancy Stanley (Coach). Front Row (L to R): Janet Fraser, Bev Cooper, Bev Morrison, Laurie King, Lucy Evans, Rona Henderson.
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