Some of the pages and photographs in the scrapbooks have become loose
History / Biographical
Verda Joan McDonald (nee Peden) was born in Brandon, MB on May 2, 1934. She was the middle daughter of Bill, a school principal, and Phyllis Peden. McDonald attended school at King George, Alexandra (now Betty Gibson), Earl Oxford and Brandon Collegiate Institute.
In 1951, McDonald enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts program at Brandon College. A fellowship program from the local YMCA enabled her to teach gym and swim programs after school and on Saturday for a small salary, which enabled her and some other students to finance their education. She graduated in 1955 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. During her graduating year, McDonald served as Lady Stick for Brandon College; the title of Lady Stick was an elected position and an honour, and gave McDonald and the person elected Senior Stick, Frank McKinnon, the responsibility of leading the student council for that year. In 1956, McDonald obtained her Bachelor of Pedagogy degree, also from Brandon College, which allowed her to teach grades 1 to 12 in Manitoba.
Verda married her college sweetheart, Dick McDonald, on August 25, 1956, and the couple moved to Dauphin to teach at the Dauphin Collegiate and Technical Institute for two years. They returned to Brandon in September 1958, and Verda proceeded to teach at Brandon Collegiate, Neelin High School and Vincent Massey until December 1960.
When Dick finished his degree at Brandon College and started teaching, Verda stayed at home to raise their three sons, Rick, Paul and Daren. During this time she began her many years of volunteering within the community. She served seven years on each of the following three boards: The Brandon Schools Instrumental Music Association; The Brandon University Alumni Board; and The Board of Fairview Nursing Home. She became President of each board during her term.
McDonald supported her husband throughouet his teaching and financial career, as well as his strong involvement in the Artillery Reserve Army with the 26th Field Regiment where he served as Commander and later Honorary Colonel. Both McDonald and her husband maintained strong ties with Brandon University and have contributed generously to funding campaign and scholarships. The Sports Wall of Fame in the Health Living Centre on the Brandon University campus is named in their honour.
In addition to their involvement with Brandon University, the McDonald's were members of the Kinsmen, K40 service club, gold and bridge clubs and enjoyed many years together in Brandon. They enjoyed going on cruise ship holidays and visited many countries together.
Since Dick's death in September 2015, Verda has tried to maintain her involvment in university activities. She continues to reside in Brandon, MB.
Custodial History
Records were created and collected by Verda McDonald during her years as a student and alumna of Brandon College/Brandon University. The records were stored in her home until their donation to the McKee Archives in 2015.
Scope and Content
Collection consists of records dealing with Verda McDonald's experiences as a student and alumna at Brandon College/University. The majority of the collection contains records from the early 1950s during McDonald's college years (1951-1955). These records, which cover the social and athletic aspects of Brandon College in the 1950s, provide a detailed look at college student life during this time period. The collection also contains a small number of records (1955-2005), documenting McDonald's experiences as an alumna of Brandon College/University.
The collection consists of four scrapbooks, which contain photographs, newspaper clippings, graduation cards, lyrics for class songs, and programs for graduation banquets, school dances, graduation ceremonies and drama productions. The scrapbooks also contain ephemera such as sports emblems, table decorations, election paraphernalia. It also includes McDonald's oath of office from when she was sworn in as Lady Stick, as well as her acceptance speech from the same ceremony.
The three file folders in the collection include: a list written by Frank McKinnon, a classmate of McDonald's, outlining his reasons for coming to Brandon College and his recollections of being a student at Brandon College; the rules of Clark Hall residence hall; and pamphlets for various celebrations and events at Brandon University (Homecoming 2009, Homecoming 2006, Reunion Weekend 2005, Reunion Weekend 2004, Homecoming 1995 and 1995 Reconovocation program, Homecoming 1980, 1975 Open House).
Finally, the collection contains 18 loose photographs. A number of the photos document important reunions for the Class of 1955 (40th Anniversary in 1995, 50th Anniversary in 2005), while others were taken at alumni events over the years (1988-1997). There is one postcard of Brandon University buildings (Original Building and Clark Hall, McMaster Hall and the Queen Elizabeth II School of Music building). Some of the 1995 reunion photos include images of the Brandon College Building and Clark Hall under renovation. Also included are a composite portrait of the Class of 1955 and class portraits Arts and Science for the Class of 1960.
Notes
History/Bio information provided by Verda McDonald. Description by Emily Bate (October 2016) and Christy Henry.
LS notes: Built 1905. This sign has weathered exceptionally well considering the Campbell & Campbell partnership ended in 1920. Company became Campbell & Ferguson with Campbell furniture and Ferguson undertaker.
Located at 29 10th Street, Campbell & Campbell remained in business until approximately 1925. In 1927 the business was known as Campbell Fergusson and Wright furniture. Campbell & Fergusson Ltd. continued operations in the building until around 1933. The Henderson's Directory lists the address as vacant in 1935 and 1937. Late in 1939 alterations were begun to turn the building into a barracks for the 71st Battery. In the summer of 1943, in cooperation with city council, the building was converted into a united services centre for the benefit of the personnel of His Majesty's Forces. Brandon's United Service Centre, which catered to more than a half million men and women in the armed services in 21 months officially closed its doors on November 30, 1945; the building had been sold to George Bass in October.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Campbell & Campbell Building
Notes
Located on the east side of 10th Street, just north of Rosser Avenue. History/Bio taken from Henderson's Directories and the Jack Stothard collection.
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.).
Brent Campbell holds the degrees of Bachelor of Music Education from SUNY Potsdam, ‘81 and Master of Music Education from Brandon University, ‘89. He has taught courses at St. Lawrence University, Brandon University, and at both the junior and senior high levels in Manitoba.
He is a past board member of the International Music Camp, spent six years on the executive board of the International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE), is past director of the University of Manitoba Summer Jazz Camp and past president of IAJE Canada. He spent 13 years on the trombone faculty of the Mile High Jazz Camp in Boulder, Colorado, and worked for Jazz At Lincoln Center as the Canadian consultant for the Essentially Ellington program.
Campbell currently serves as the Director of the Brandon Jazz Festival, as Executive Director of IAJE Canada, as the Administrative Officer of the Brandon Chamber Players and is the Canadian Jazz Representative for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music in London, England.
Campbell presently teaches concert and jazz bands at Vincent Massey High School in Brandon, Manitoba, where he lives with his wife Caroline and their three children.
Custodial History
Photograph was tranfered to the McKee Archives from the Public Communications Office in the winter of 2007.
Scope and Content
Photograph of Brent Campbell in a computer lab.
Notes
History/Bio taken from the Vincent Massey High School Band Department website, available at: http://www.brandonsd.mb.ca/massey/staff/campbell/instructors.htm (May 2008).
See sub sub series level (RG 6, 8.4.1) for history/bio information.
Custodial History
See sub sub series level (RG 6, 8.4.1) for custodial history.
Scope and Content
Photograph of Maria Campbell giving a reading at the Welcome and Opening Ceremonies held on October 25 in the Lorne Watson Recital Hall. Lorraine Mayer in the background.
Storage Location
RG 6 Brandon University fonds
Series 8: Library Services
8.4 Library special events
8.4.1 Brandon Aboriginal Literary Festival
See sub sub series level (RG 6, 8.4.1) for history/bio information.
Custodial History
See sub sub series level (RG 6, 8.4.1) for custodial history.
Scope and Content
Photograph of Linda Burridge, University Librarian, Brandon University, Darrell Racine, Assistant Professor, Native Studies Department, Brandon University and Maria Campbell in the lobby of the George T. Richardson Centre.
Storage Location
RG 6 Brandon University fonds
Series 8: Library Services
8.4 Library special events
8.4.1 Brandon Aboriginal Literary Festival
See sub sub series level (RG 6, 8.4.1) for history/bio information.
Custodial History
See sub sub series level (RG 6, 8.4.1) for custodial history.
Scope and Content
Photograph of Linda Burridge, University Librarian, Brandon University, Darrell Racine, Assistant Professor, Native Studies Department, Brandon University and Maria Campbell in the lobby of the George T. Richardson Centre.
Storage Location
RG 6 Brandon University fonds
Series 8: Library Services
8.4 Library special events
8.4.1 Brandon Aboriginal Literary Festival
