The Office of the Registrar was created in 1910. The person in the Registrar’s position was in charge of many aspects of administration. The Registrar was to be drawn from the united departments of Arts and Theology and had four main functions:
1. To have charge (in conference with the President) of all correspondence with prospective students and with previously registered students of the College, in respect to courses of study.
2. To receive students from the Heads of the several Faculties, these Heads of Faculties having indicated by card the department and to register the student and furnish him with a card to the Bursar of the College indicating the fees called for by the course or courses of study, for which the student is registered.
3. To record the class standings of students from the reports furnished by the instructors.
4. To furnish the President with certified copies of such reports as are called for by the terms of affiliation with McMaster, or as he may otherwise require.
Along with these specific functions the Registrar was an officer of the Board of Directors, the Executive, an ex-officia member of the Senate and College Council. The Registrar also acted as the liaison between Brandon College and McMaster University. Following the “Act to Incorporate Brandon College Incorporated” in 1939, the Registrar became Secretary of the Senate and liaison between Brandon College and the University of Manitoba. From the period 1910 to 1967 there was no less than ten Registrars, many of them also taking on the task of Bursar.
BRANDON COLLEGE REGISTRARS:
S.J. MCKEE (1910-1920)
Information on S.J. McKee can be found under the heading MG 1 Brandon College Teaching and Learning.
S. EVERTON (1920-1923)
No biographical information yet.
L.S. JOHNSTON (1923-1924)
No biographical information yet.
CYRIL F. RICHARDS (1924-1935)
Cyril Fuller Richards was born in Dunedin, New Zeland. He came to America in 1905, taking his college prepatory work at the academy of Linfield College, McMinnville, Oregon. Richards spent seven years at Linfield College, four as he earned his B.Sc. and three as an instructor in biology. During that time he also became a naturalized American citizen and married Alice Louise Wood. Together they had one child, Margaret Ruth, who died in 1943.
After leaving Linfield College, Richards obtained his Bachelor of Divinity degree from Colgate-Rochester Divinity School. In 1924, he joined the faculty of Brandon College as Registrar and Professor of Psychology and Philosophy. Richards left the Registar position in 1935 to take over as College Dean. During his years at Brandon College, he also received his M.A. from the University of Manitoba (1935).
In 1937, Richards accepted the position of Dean of Men at Denison University in Granville, Ohio. Richards held this position until 1945, having been appointed Dean of the College there the preceding year. In 1950-1951, he served as acting President of Denison, becoming Vice-President following the appointment of the new president. Richards recieved an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from Linfield College in 1947.
Cyril Fuller Richards died in September 1954 at the age of 59 in Granville, Ohio.
M.S. DONOVAN (1935-1936)
No biographical information yet.
N. KEITH MCKINNON (1936-1938)
Information can be found under the heading Office of the Bursar.
H. STEWART PERDUE (1938-1948)
Information on Dr. Perdue can be found under the heading Office of the College Dean.
D.R. MACKAY (1948-1962)
D.R. MacKay was born in Weyburn, Saskatchewan. He graduated from Brandon College in 1939. MacKay served in the Canadian Army in Canada and Overseas from 1940 to 1947. He was appointed Registrar/Bursar in 1948. MacKay also served as Comptroller, Public Relations Officer, Director of Development and Secretary to the Board of Governors. He remained as Bursar until after Brandon College became Brandon University. He received the Alumni Award in 1974, and the Distinguished Service Award in 1981. MacKay retired in 1984, then served on the Brandon University Foundation Board of Directors. He died on April 1, 1990.
NORMA E. WALMSLEY (1962-1964)
Dr. Walmsley served in the Royal Canadian Air Force Women’s Division in World War II. At the time she became Registrar she was an Associate Professor of Political Science. In 1964, Walmsley resigned as Registrar to accept a position on the Research Branch of the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism.
L.F. PELTZ (1965-Brandon University)
No biographical information yet.
Scope and Content
This series is primarily correspondence between the Registrar of Brandon College and various other people. The letters deal with students, examinations, curriculum, scholarships, and tuition. The Registrar was the liaison between McMaster University and the University of Manitoba when dealing with subject matter during the time that Brandon College was affiliated with these schools. There is a great deal of correspondence between the Brandon College Registrars and the Registrars from these schools. The series also includes correspondence to students from the Registrar regarding room and board at the College. Student and class standings are also included in this collection. Most of the student records are arranged alphabetically by year.
Notes
History/Bio information on C.F. Richards taken from a Brandon Sun article (September 8, 1954).
Storage Location
RG 1 Brandon College fonds
Series 4: Office of the Registrar
Related Material
See RG 6, sub series 4.2 (Office of the Vice-President (Administration & Finance), RG 6, series 10 (Office of Development) and MG 3 1.9 Don MacKay for additional records related to D.R. MacKay.
Arrangement
Series has been divided into eleven sub-series, including: (1) S.J. McKee; (2) S. Everton; (3) L.S. Johnston; (4) Cyril F. Richards; (5) M.S. Donovan; (6) N. Keith McKinnon; (7) H. Stewart Perdue; (8) D.R. MacKay; (9) Norma E. Walmsley; (10) L.F. Peltz; and (11) Registration cards.
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
30 photographs -- 25 at 3.5" x 8" (color and b/w); 5 at 8"x10" (b/w); 3 magnates; 1 plaque (8 x 3 cm)
History / Biographical
The chancellor is the titular head of the university and confers all degrees. Where possible the Chancellor also attends official functions on behalf of the University and may take on special projects keeping with the goals of the University. According to "The Brandon University Act 1998," there is to be a chancellor of the university elected by the senate for a term of three years; the chancellor continues to hold office after his or her term expires until re-elected or until a successor is elected; the chancellor is eligible for re-election; and if a vacancy occurs in the office of chancellor before the end of the term, the successor elected to replace the incumbent chancellor is to hold office for the remainder of the incumbent's term.
BRANDON UNIVERSITY CHANCELLORS:
MAITLAND B. STEINKOPF (1967-1970)
Maitland B. Steinkopf (September 10, 1912 - 1970) was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He was educated at the University of Manitoba, and was called to the Manitoba Bar in December 1936. He served in the Canadian armed forces in World War Two, as a Private in the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders and a Lieutenant Colonel with the R.C.O.C. He later founded the Canada West Shoe Manufacturing Company, and was a president of several companies including Bonded Investments Ltd., L.H. Packard Co. Ltd., Dayton Shoe Mfg. Col. Ltd., and the Tel Aviv Hilton Hotel. Steinkopf was a member of the Canada Israel Development Corporation, and served as chairman of State of Israel bonds in Manitoba. He was also an honorary counsel with the government of Czechoslovakia until 1948. Prior to his election, he assisted the Roblin government in land-development for cultural projects.
Steinkopf was elected to the Manitoba legislature in the 1962 provincial election as a member of Dufferin Roblin's Progressive Conservative government and was appointed to cabinet on June 12, 1963, as Provincial Secretary and Minister of Public Utilities. He later resigned his position and his seat in the legislature as a result of being implicated in a controversial land assembly payment. He was re-elected and re-appointed to the Cabinet in 1964. Steinkopf did not run for re-election in 1966. He later served as chair of the Manitoba Centennial Centre Corporation, which established a Maitland Steinkopf Youth Fund in 1972 for students in the arts.
Steinkopf married Helen Katz of Chicago and they had six children. He died suddenly in 1970 of a heart attack.
THE HONOURABLE STANLEY HOWARD KNOWLES (November 1970 - November 1990)
Stanley Knowles (June 18, 1908 - June 9, 1997) graduated from Brandon College in 1930, received his B.Div. from the University of Winnipeg in 1933, and was ordained by the United Church of Canada. Until 1940, he was a minister in Winnipeg churches. He organized public forums and created radio programs on social themes. He spoke for the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCP), becoming its chairman, then provincial secretary, for Manitoba.
In 1942, Knowles was elected to the House of Commons as MP for Winnipeg North Centre. He was an MP from 1942 until 1958, was re-elected in 1962 and served until 1984. Throughout his political career, he struggled for a decent life and income for older people. He was instrumental in amending the industrial relations bill so that legal strikes did not interfere with employee pension rights, eliminating the "means test" from the Old Age Security Act and indexing the Canadian Pension Plan and Civil Security Pensions. He played a major role in creating the New Democratic Party in 1961, presiding over the founding convention. He was the Deputy Leader of that party from 1962-84.
In 1970, Knowles became Chancellor of Brandon University and in 1990, was designated Chancellor emeritus. He became an honorary member of Canada's Privy Council in 1979, and was awarded the Order of Canada in 1984.
THE HONOURABLE JUDGE RONALD D. BELL (1990 - October 1996)
Ronald Dean Bell was born in Deloraine, Manitoba and graduated from Brandon College in 1951. He received his law degree from the University of Manitoba in 1955. Bell worked for several years as a solicotor for the Department of National Revenue, Taxation Division and as a partner in the Calgary law firm Fenerty & Co. He was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1976, and in 1978, he formed Bell Felesky Flynn, a law practice focusing on taxation. In 1991, Bell was appointed Judge of the Tax Court of Canada.
Throughout his distinguised career, Bell has continued to support Brandon University. In addition to his duties as Chancellor, he has also served on various BU boards and worked tirelessly to promote the institution. He also made siginificant financial contributions to improve physical structures, programs and student scholarships, including the establishment of the R.D. Bell Schoalrship and the R.D. Bell String Scholarships. The R.D. Bell Hall in the Queen Elizabeth II music building was named in his honour, as was the Bell Tower atop the orginal Brandon College building, which is now part of Clark Hall. Justice Bell recieved an Honorary Degree from Brandon University at the spring 2006 convocation and is presently Chancellor emeritus.
DR. KEVIN KAVANAGH (November 1996 - October 2002)
Born and raised in Brandon, Kevin Kavanagh graduated from Brandon Collegiate Institute in 1950, and completed his commerce degree at the University of Manitoba in 1953. That same year he joined the Group Insurance Division of the Great-West Life Assurance Company. From 1978-1992, he served as president and CEO of that organization. During his career, Kavanagh has also served on various provincial and national boards, including the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, National Leasing Group, Winnipeg Airports authority, the Conference Board of Canada, the Crown Corporations Council and the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association Inc. Kavanagh was also a member of the Roblin Commission. In 1996, he was named the fourth Chancellor of Brandon University, and in addition to his duties as Chancellor, he has been involved with the university as a member of the Brandon University Foundation and as a member of the Corporate Challenge Campaign. In September 2006, the courtyard between Clark Hall and the George T. Richardson building was renamed The Kavanagh Courtyard in honour of Kavanagh and his wife in recognition of their vision and leadership with Brandon University and their dedication to the advancement of post-secondary education.
In 1963, Kavanagh married his wife Els, and together they had two children: Jennifer and Sean. At present, (July 2007), Kevin Kavanagh is Chancellor Emeritus of Brandon University.
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EDWARD R. SCHREYER (November 1, 2002 - present)
Edward Schreyer was born on December 21, 1935 in Beausejour, Manitoba. He studied at United College, St. John's College and the University of Manitoba, receiving a Bachelor of Pedagogy in 1959, a Bachelor of Education in 1962, a Master of Arts in International Relations and a second Master of Arts in Economics in 1963. From 1962 to 1965, Schreyer taught International Relations at St. Paul's College. On June 30, 1960, Schreyer married Lily Schulz. The couple had two daughters, Lisa and Karmel, and two sons, Jason and Tobin.
Schreyer was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba in 1958, as a member of the Manitoba Co-operative Communwealth Federation, representing the rural consituency of Brokenhead. In 1965 he resigned to run successfully for the House of Commons. In 1969, Schreyer returned to provincial politics as leader of the New Democratic Party of Manitoba. He led his party to victory in the 1969 provincial election, and served as Premier of Manitoba from 1969 until 1977.
Schreyer was appointed Governor General in 1979 by Pierre Trudeau. That same year, he was made a Companion of the Order of Canada along with his wife Lily Schreyer. As Governor General, Schreyer championed women's issues, the environment, and official bilingualism. He established the Governor General's Award in Commemoration of the "Persons Case," instituted the Governor General's Conservation Awards (1981), and presided over the first Governor General's Canadian Study Conference. Schreyer retired as Governor General in 1984.
Later in 1984, Schreyer was sworn into the Privy Council and was subsequently appointed Canadian High Commissioner to Australia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands, and as ambassador to Vanuatu. He held those positions until 1988. Returning to Manitoba, Schreyer worked as a national representative of Habitat for Humanity. In 2006, he was acclaimed as the NDP candidate in Selkirk-Interlake for the 2006 federal election.
Edward Schreyer became Chancellor of Brandon University in November 2002, and his term was extended in 2005 until October 31, 2008.
HENRY CHAMP (November 1, 2008 - October 31, 2011)
Henry Champ was born in Brandon, Manitoba in 1939. He attended Brandon College in 1957 and 1958.
Scope and Content
At present (July 2007), the series consists of the Stanley Knowles collection (accession 61-1997).
Notes
Administrative information in the History/Bio field was taken from "The Brandon University Act (1998)" at: http://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/1998/c04898e.php (December 2005) and from: http://alumni.brandonu.ca/alumniNews/images/BU_Alumni_News05.pdf. Biographical information for Maitland Steinkopf was taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maitland_Steinkopf (December 2005). Biographical information for Stanley Knowles was taken from: http://www.mcmaster.ca/ua/alumni/gallery/G129664.htm (December 2005) and from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_Knowles (December 2005). Biographical information for Bell was taken from Brandon University calendars and the spring/summer 2006 issue of Alumni News. Biograpical information for Kavanaugh was taken from Brandon University calendars. Biographical information for Edward Schreyer was taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Schreyer (December 2005).
As stipulated in "The Brandon University Act (1998)," the president is the chief executive officer and the Vice-Chancellor of the university and has general supervision over and direction of the operation of the university, including the academic work of the university; supervises the teaching staff, officers, employees and students of the university; may consider and make recommendations to the board or the senate about any matter that affects the university; is an ex officio member of every committee of the board and the senate; and has any other powers and duties assigned by the board.
The President reports to the Board of Governors, while receiving direct reports from the: Vice-President (Academic and Research), the Vice-President (Administration and Finance), the Director of Development and Alumni Relations, the Director of University Relations and the Director of International Activities. The president also interacts with the Board of Governors, the Senate, students, faculty members, staff members, unions, alumni, businesses, the Brandon University Foundation, the Brandon community, rural, northern and Aboriginal Communities, donors, government officials (municipal, provincial & federal), the K – 12 school system, and institutions of higher education, in Manitoba, Canada and internationally.
Scope and Content
Series has been divided into two sub-series, including: (1) President's files; and (2) President's reports.
Notes
Administrative information in the History/Bio field was taken from "The Brandon University Act (1998)" at http://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/1998/c04898e.php (December 2005) and http://www.brandonu.ca/admin/Policies/Administrative/position%20job%20desc%20President.pdf (December 2005).