Wrinkles from being folded, discoloration of white fabric and stains, fraying of fabric and thread.
Scope and Content
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1963 as part of their commencement activities. The flag, which is made of satin and cotton, features the class motto “Non nobis solum sed toti mundi nati” (“Not just for ourselves but for the whole world”). The flag features the names of the graduates, as well as a stylized world with rings, featuring a lamp, laurel leaves, a dove and the letters "BC" inside a gear. The flag has rope for hanging.
Names include: John Adamack, Janice Ames, Matilda Ames, Mellanie Berthiaume, Daniel Bjarnson, William Davidson, Norma Noble, Joan Donald, Henry Dueck, Melvin Findlay, Brian Foster, Gwen Gray, Nola McBurney, Fay McLean, Jean McQuarrie, John Nelson, Isobel Nicholson, Carol Porter, Corinne Scrase, James Simmons, Patricia Tanguay, Margaret Trotter, George Trowell, Joyce Wilkinson, Spence Bell, Verna Moore, David Bertram, Kenneth Bell, Robert Bell, David Bergman, Allan Budlong, Gerald Butler, John Chudzik, Malcolm Davidson, James Dowcett, Clifford Glenn, William Gulenchin, Sharon Hutton, Ronald Gurba, Robert Ireland, Marshall Kennedy, Kazimer Matieshin, Kenneth May, Dale McFadden, Gordon McKinnon, Clare Pangman, Leonard Rivers, Kees Van Teeling, Rae Westcott, and James Woods.
Notes
Loose translations for the class mottos were provided by Dr. Rosanne Gasse (Latin) and Dr. Steve Robinson (Greek), as well as from googling the mottos in October 2006. Description by Lief Charles/Kees Adriaansen (February 2024) and Christy Henry.
This flag was commissioned by members of the class of 1964 in 2014 as a replica of the original class of 1964 flag created as part of that class' commencement activites. Members of the class of 1964 donated it to the McKee Archives at Homecoming weekend in 2014.
Scope and Content
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1964 in 2014, to replace their orignal flag that had been lost at some point following their graduation. The flag, which is made of fabric, features the names of the graduates, as well as a stylized world with rings. The flag has grommets for hanging.
Names include: Lorraine Adam, Bill Ballantyne, Masako Ban, Patricia Blake, Matthew Bray, Clark Brownlee, Ruther Cutforth, Thelma Davis, Don Edwards, Maureen Fearns, Joan Foster, Harold Gilleshammer, George Gooden, Audrey Graham, Valerie Greig, James Gretz, Ted Griffith, Elaine Hutton, Bill Johnson, Sharon Livingstone, Margaret Ann Lowes, Donna Manness, Katherine Mantel, Elaine Mazer, Eleanore McDowell, Mickey McGill, Murray McLeod, Gordon McWilliams, Isabelle Mills, Clark Mitchell, Teenie Molgat, Adelaide Newton, Carole Paintin, Paul Panton, Virginia Patmore, Norman Peterson, Bill Potter, Beverly Reeves, Eleanor Riesberry, Irene Rinn, Moody Roebuck, Morris Smeltz, James Simmons, John Sushelnitsky, Ed Whitcomb, Jeanette Whyte, James Parrott, Warren Veale, Poppy Cumming, George McDowell, Dennis Anderson, Garry Atchison, Jack Ballen, Walter Berry, James Bomford, Jacqueline Clement, Murray Cochrane, Carl Cunningham, Robert Draper, Scott Drever, Dave Dueck, Dave Fewings, Barry Forman, Glenn Hall, Ronald Hall, David Hitchens, Garth Hunter, Brent Kinney, Gerald Kitzler, Albert Klassen, Wally Lamont, Don Lawrence, Victor Logeot, William Marshall, David McAuley, Mark McCowan, Gary Mills, Dale Nelson, Jim Poole, Dick Prawdzik, Robert Raeburn, Donald Rainnie, Dennis Smith, Evelyn Woods and Bruce Young.
Notes
Description by Lief Charles/Kees Adriaansen (February 2024) and Christy Henry.
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1965 as part of their commencement activities. The flag, which is made of felt, features the class motto “Forever Upward". The flag features the names of the graduates stitched in yellow thread, as well as a scroll containing a mortarboard. The flag has no mechanism for hanging.
Names include: Elinor Armitage, Muriel Baker, Richard Balchen, Kenneth Bileski, Errol black, Phil Blain, Edward Boguski, Jo Ann Brandon, Allan Bray, Rodney Brown, Geraldine Burns, Kathryn Burton, Carole Busby, Barry Busch, Tom Campbell, Bill Carr, Dennis Carter, Christine Cassels, Ying Cheng, Yuen Cheng, Kenneth Bellas, Treva Clendenning, Catherine Craig, Ruth Cutforth, Constance Davidson, Darla Drysdale, Morely English, Betty Eshelby, Donna Firby, Carol Ann Foster, Bruce Fraser, Eldon Frost, Irving Gusdal, David Hall, Emilie Hansen, Jennifer Harms, Heather Henderson, David Hickling, Allan Hill, Lorne Hoag, Donald Hutton, Helen Inglis, Chris Johnson, Les Johnson, Laurie Ricou, Anne Franklin, Russell Lusk, Christine Jopko, Nina Kozakiewicz, Donna Laird, Willa Ledingham, Garry Lumbard, Colin Mailer, William Marshall, Bob McDonald, Donald McLaren, Shirley Melvin, Garry Miller, Walter Mostoway, Sally Norman, Phil North, Dan Old, Robert Oldcorn, Jerry Page, Lyle Poole, Ross Poole, Raymond Putman, Peggie Rainnie, Donald McDowell, Ron Rapley, Nelson Reed, Norman Reid, Catherine Robertson, Don Sherritt, Lloyd Shields, Norrine Shobrooke, Phyllis Smith, Morlene Sparrow, Bob Staines, Nancy Stanley, Sharon Stevens, William Stinchcome, Mitchell Taylor, Lorne Vopni, Herbert Weinmaster, Jack Watts, Donald Wilkie, Bob Wilkins, Gordon Williams, Jerald Wishart and Theodora Youmatoff.
Notes
Loose translations for the class mottos were provided by Dr. Rosanne Gasse (Latin) and Dr. Steve Robinson (Greek), as well as from googling the mottos in October 2006. Description by Lief Charles/Kees Adriaansen (February 2024) and Christy Henry.
Paint(?) splotches, slight fraying, slight discoloration of white fabric
Scope and Content
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1966 as part of their commencement activities. The flag, which is made of felt and satin, features the class motto “Semper Primus” (“Always Number One”). The flag features the names of the graduates stitched in white, as well as a yellow scroll containing "'66." The flag has no mechanism for hanging.
Names include: Jim Barrow, Bob Bell, Sigrid Birkinshaw, Bob Boughen, Carole Boyd, Pat Carter, Jean Christianson, Colleen Clark, Gary Day, Ken Delbridge, Gerald Diswinka, Gary Evans, Dennis Farguson, Don Fjelsted, Carol Gurba, John Horner, Ernie Janzen, Carol Johnson, Al Josephson, Valorie Kidd, John Krahn, Diane Lytwyn, Edith May, Jim McMay, Charlie McMillan, Merilyn McTavish, Terry Moore, Helen Muray, Rodney Mykle, Marie Nadler, Doug Oberlin, Don Pratt, John Russell, Bill Sparling, Harry Toy, Bob Turner, Corine Walker, Donna Zimmerman, Jack Spalding, Bruce Batt, Bryan Bennion, Don Boguski, Barbara Broadfoot, Jim Brolund, Wayne Carey, Dave Cochrane, Allen Dahl, Ken Daniels, Ron Forman, Cyril Fox, Rick Frazer, Lindsay Gibson, Bill Hammond, Clare Haralson, Ed Holtzman, Norrie Howat, Dave Huffman, Stuart Johnson, Alasdair Kellie, Henry Klassen, Richard Lawford, Jack Lee, Mel Montgomery, Alex Russell, Ellen Vinthers, Blane Ward, George Wawrykow, Gerald Wilson and Ken Whittington.
Notes
Loose translations for the class mottos were provided by Dr. Rosanne Gasse (Latin) and Dr. Steve Robinson (Greek), as well as from googling the mottos in October 2006. Description by Lief Charles/Kees Adriaansen (February 2024) and Christy Henry.
Missing two ties on top right, some loose threads, slight discolouration of white fabric.
Scope and Content
Item was created by the Brandon College class of 1967 as part of their commencement activities. The flag, which is made of felt and satin, features the class motto “Finis Sed Principium” (“The end but the beginning”). The flag features the names of the graduates stitched in white, as well as a Canada Centennial star. The flag has ties for hanging.
Names include: Jocelyn Godolphin, Linda Armitage, Brian Bailey, Gary Belecki, Bev Bird, Bryan Blixhaven, Jolie Boyarski, Dean Boyd, Garry Brake, Gary Brawn, Tom Carter, Larry Clark, Doreen Crew, Dawn Dandridge, Leo Dare, Grant Duncan, Glen Edwards, Dewey Evans, Peter Eyvindson, Bill Yard, Gordon Franklin, Midge Graham, Karen Gusdal, Barb Hamel, Wes Hockley, Murray Hutton, Bob Hyatt, Bob Jackson, Ernest Janzen, Lawrence Johnson, Janet Johnston, Marg Jones, Doug Jordan, Marg Kentner, Marie Kulberg/Kellbert, Linda Lamoureux, Darlene Lazenby, Jan Leckie, Gary MacDonald, Pam Madsen, Larry Malazdrevich, Angie Martin, Jim McAllister, Barb McDowell, Sharon McPherson, Barry Mitchell, Elmer Myers, Diane Theoret, Alice Pelk, Henry Peters, Cheryl Pomeroy, Audrey Racher, Gordon Rankmore, Jim Ranson, Elaine Reichmuth, Jim Reid, Judy Richardson, Marion Rivers, Bev Robertson, Ken Robson, Wayne Rosenman, Jeanette Saunders, Greg Sawchuk, Alice Schick, Helen Sexton, Chris Shellard, Marlene Shenk, Gail Smith, Ken Smith, John Spak, Reg Tolton, Wayne Trembath, Fred Tuttle, Jack Warkentin, N.E. Weselowski, Bill Wesley, Barb Whyte, Phil Weibe, Barb Wilkie, Elgin Wilson, Marianne Wiun, John Wright, Jim Ziegler, Judy Pool, Ray Power, Marilyn Dennstedt, Rita Hacault, Fred Fjeldsted, Jim Haynes, Ed Agnew, Patricia Barker, Jacob Boschman, Donald Carlson, Jeff Carter, Dave Clement, Barry Danard, Phillip DeCorby, Adrian De Hoog, Jim Doak, Deanna Dyck, Marjorie Fleming, Bryan Fuhr, Dennis Gebauer, David Gosman, Richard Hannah, Andy Harris, Bruce Harrison, Sandra Hart, Irwin Hiller, John Janzen, Judy Kelly/Kellie, Wayne Langlois, Mike Laushway, Jack McKinnon, Harvey McFadden, Jon Mills, Ron Moffatt, Burnell Nesbitt, Morna Patterson, Brian Phillips, Lorne Lindenberg, Richard Onganda, Diane Preston, Wayne Ramage, Doug Sawle, Bill Schrader, Wally Seippe, Fred Serafin, Lorne Smith, Al Snart, Rae Taylor, Douglas Thompson, John Tokeson, Ian Watson, Ron Westcott and Donald Wrobleski.
Notes
Loose translations for the class mottos were provided by Dr. Rosanne Gasse (Latin) and Dr. Steve Robinson (Greek), as well as from googling the mottos in October 2006. Description by Lief Charles/Kees Adriaansen (February 2024) and Christy Henry.
Robert (Bob) Troy Blair was born on March 11, 1930 in Brandon, MB. His first six years were spent in Alexander, MB, where his father and uncle operated a grocery store. In 1936, his family moved to Souris, MB, where his father ran a grocery store. Blair received his primary and high school education, with the exception of Grade 12, in Souris.
Blair remembers his school years in Souris as mainly happy years. He was involved with both piano and organ music lessons. he was never interested in physical sports with the exception of golf. World War II broke out in September of 1939. Souris became the site of #17 SFTS and home base for the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Many of the service men came from England, Australia and New Zealand. Blair's mother always entertained at least two for dinner every Sunday. Rationing of sugar, tea and coffee, butter and meat became a way of life. Blair had the job every Saturday of pasting the ration coupons into booklets. It was also when he was in Grade 6, that Blair realized he was more attracted to boys than to girls. Perhaps it was because so many attractive airmen surrounded him!
In November of 1947, the Blair family relocated to Alexander where Bob Blair finished his Grade 11. This was not a good year due to bullying. In September of 1948, Blair moved to Winnipeg to attend United College for his Grade 12. Upon completion of Grade 12, Blair remained in Winnipeg until June 1950. he worked at a number of businesses - Gestetner, Eaton's Mail Order shoe department, Maple Leaf Milling, and the drug store in the Medical Arts Building. In September 1950, he entered Brandon College. Blair was very active in extra-curricular affairs while at Brandon College; particularly drama. Following his B.A. he enrolled in the Education Faculty, having decided to become a teacher.
Blair's teaching career spanned 34 years. All but one year was spent in the Brandon School Division. On his first day of teaching in the Division he met the man with whom he would spend the next 46 years. He was primarily a teacher of English and Music. A highlight of his career was exchange teaching in Sacramento, California in 1961. Orientation for exchange took place in August in Washington, D.C., where Blair had the opportunity to meet President J.F. Kennedy. He vividly recals the morning that JFK was assassinated on November 22, 1963. In September 1965, Blair assumed the principalship of Park School and in September of 1969, the same position at George Fitton School where re remained until his retirement in 1989. He was a member of the Brandon Picnipals' Association, the National Association of Elementary School Principals, and servedas President of the Brandon Teachers' Association. Among his major accomplishments during his time as principal were the introduction of a centralized school library in both Park and George Fitton Schools and the integration of special needs students into regular classroom situations wherever possible. He was made a Life Member of the Manitoba Teachers' Society (Brandon) in June 1990. Following his retirement Blair worked as a Library Automation Consultant (1989-1993).
Blair also had numerous community involvements during his time in Brandon. he was active in the Brandon Little Theatre (Best Actor Award, Manitoba Drama Festival for One Act Plays in 1963), the Brandon Festival of the Arts, the Eckhardt-Gramatte National Music Competition, and Arm Industries to name a few.
Following the death of his partner in 2001, Blair moved to Saskatoon to live with a younger gay couple. He has been active in volunteerism: as an Ambassador for the Saskatoon Airport Authority, assistant with the Saskatoon Health Region's Immunization Clinics, information clerk for the Festival of Trees, data entry clerk for the Saskatoon Music Festival, on the Board of the Saskatoon Jazz Society, and Hospitality Coordinator for the Saskatoon Jazz Festival.
Robert Troy Blair died on July 2, 2024 in Saskatoon, SK. He is buried in Brandon, MB.
Custodial History
Records were in Blair's possession until he donated them to the Mckee Archives on Homecoming weekend October 2013.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of two scrapbooks containing 145 photographs and ephemera (play and graduation programs, tickets, pins, newspaper clippings) documenting Bob Blair's days at Brandon College. Social events and extra-curricular activities are heavily featured in the two scrapbooks. Also included are graduation portraits for the Classes of 1951, 1952 and 1953. Of the 145 photographs all are black and white except for two photos of the Class of '53 reconvocation (May 1993), and one from the Class of '53 reunion (2003).
Marion (Marionne) Louise Scott was born January 13, 1913 at Ste. S, Parkview Block, Brandon, MB to Annie Louisa Lawson and David Henry (Harry) Scott. She attended St. Michael's Academy and Brandon College (Arts, Class of 1933), graduating with a teching certificate. At some point following her graduation she moved to Toronto, living with her Aunt and Uncle Olive and Keith Murphy, while working for Massey Harris. Eventually Marionne became Private Secretary to the president James Duncan. She also worked with E.P. Taylor and Colonel Phillips during her duration with the company.
Marionne met her husband Robert (Roy) Warden Jamieson through friends at the Parkdale Canoe Club, which is now the Boulevard Club on Lakeshore Avenue in Toronto. They were married on December 26, 1944. Following their retirement, Marionne and Roy spent their winters in Florida.
Marionne Scott Jamieson died on July 20, 1990 in Mississauga Ontario. Both she and her husband are buried in Park Lawn Cemetery at Bloor Street and Prince Edward Drive in west Toronto.
A number of the individuals identified in the photographs are members of Marionne's extended family or friends. Basic biographical information for both side of her family are below. Additional biographical information on the Lawson and Scott families is available at the McKee Archives.
Maternal relatives:
William Lawson was born c. 1849 in Markham Township, Ontario where his parents had settled from England. In September 1875 he married Alice Brunskill (born c. 1854) in Buttonville, Ontario. The couple settled on a farm at Aurora, Ontario before come west in 1892. Lawson and his family settled in the Hayfield district south of Brandon where he farmed until c. 1916. During his farming years, Lawson made a number of trips to Scotland and Ireland for the Manitoba government to secure immigrants. After retiring from farming, Lawson became an agent for the Manufaturers' Life Insurance Company. Lawson's brother, Reverend Thomas Lawson, organized the first Methodist congregation in Brandon.
William Lawson and Alice Brunskill had seven children:
William Ernest (married Maragret Louise Conling 23/11/1904 in Souris, MB)
Clarkson Brunskill (married Florence?)
Annie Louisa (married David Henry (Harry) Scott 29/06/1910 in Brandon, MB)
Alice May (married Arthur Ferrier Valens 27/06/1912 in Winnipeg, MB)
Fred J. (married Lottie C. Gibb 18/04/1906 in Selkirk, MB)
Frank Hill (married Cora Ethel Cunningham 11/03/1914 in Oakland)
Olive Gertrude (married William Keith Murphy 25/12/1923 in Brandon, MB)
Paternal relatives:
David Hunter Scott was born in 1851 in Brampton, Ontario. After completing his education he became a telegraph operator and then deputy postmaster for his hometown. In 1873, he moved to Manitoba, settling at Meadow Lea, where he took up a homestead. After fifteen years engaged in farming, Scott moved on to become a representitve for an implement manufacturing company. In 1892, he moved to Brandon to become manager of the Brandon Times newspaper. Four years later he founded D.H. Scott and Son, a real estate and insurance business he operated with his son David Henry until his death in September 1943.
David Hunter Scott married Anne Jane Lipsett (born 1854) of Meadow Lea, MB on May 24, 1876. Together they had ten children:
John Frederick
Robert Wesley
David Henry (Harry) (married Annie Louise Lawson 26/06/1910 in Brandon, MB)
William James
Caroline (married Christopher Russell Heise)
Annie Louise (married Alexander Ferguson (died 1927), married Nettleton Whitby Kerr)
Mary Emaline (married David Gordon Bawtinheimer)
Lillian Georgina (died August 9, 1931)
Josiah Aikens (died during World War I)
Reginald Jacob (married Norma May Hughes 16/08/1915 (Reginald died during World War I))
Custodial History
The photograph album and graduate's book were sent to Alumni Relations by Ruth L. Murphy on March 31, 2004. Both items had been in the possession of Marionne Scott, passing to her husband Robert Jamieson upon her death. When Jamieson died the items came into the possession of Ruth Murphy, whose husband was Marionne's first cousin. Carla Eisler, Alumni Relations, transfered the photograph album to the Archives on January 15, 2008, and the graduate book on January 8, 2009.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of a photograph album created by Marionne Scott. The majority of the photographs cover the period 1926-1933, and are of family members, friends, and classmates at both St. Michael's Academy and Brandon College. They were taken in Brandon and at a number of other locations that Marionne visited. There are three loose photographs, taken by R.M. Coleman, that were taken at the wedding of Vivian Eva? and Reginald Stanley Stark, June 7th, 1941 at St. Matthews Cathedral and the Prince Edward Hotel.
The graduate's book consists of notes, signatures, newsclippings, photographs, programs, convocation documents, graduation cards, reunion descriptions and the 1932 general information booklet for Brandon College.
Notes
History/Bio information taken from the Brandon Daily Sun, the 1901 and 1911 Canadian Census, the Manitoba Vital Statistics website, and the Brandon Cemetery website. Additional biographical information provided by Ruth Murphy. Description by Christy Henry.
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.
Some pages in the scrapbooks have fallen out and some of the glued pieces are no longer attached to pages
History / Biographical
Dilys Collier (nee Pearce) was born 4 December 1937, in the Rural Municipality of Daly near Rivers, MB. Before studying at Brandon College, Collier was educated in Bradwardine, MB. Collier graduated from Brandon College with a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Pedagogy in 1958 and 1959 respectively. In 1961, Collier married a Brandon College classmate, Clare Coburn. She spent much of the next two decades working as a homemaker and mother to her three children.
After she and her husband separated in 1979, Collier decided to go back to school. In the next ten years, Collier completed a Bachelor of Education degree (1980), a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Regina (1982) and a Master of Education degree from the University of Saskatchewan (1987). Across her working career, Collier held many posistions including public school teacher, adult educator, social worker, researcher and personal counselor. Along with her work, Collier volunteered extensively with the Knox United Church and the Brandon Cooperative Nursing School. Through the years, she worked for a variety of organizations, including The Saskatoon Family Service Bureau and the REgina John Howard Society. Collier has lived and worked in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and Swansea, Wales.
Currently (January 2017), Collier is retired and lives in Mission, BC with her husband of thirty-four years, Kenneth Collier.
Custodial History
The records were created and collected by Dilys Collier during her years as a student and alumna of Brandon College/University. The records were stored in her home huntil they were donated to the McKee Archives in 2013.
Scope and Content
Collection consists of records created and collected by Dilys Collier as a means to document her life as a Brandon College student in the 1950s.
Included are three scrapbooks and two folders containing: newspapers and newspaper clippings from The Brandon Sun and The Quill, dealing primarily with Brandon College students, faculty and events; Brandon College administrative records such as the Clark Hall Rules, Collier's proof of registration records, her Brandon College acceptance letter, class schedules and exam timetables; photographs and programmes that cover events such as Freshie Week, dances and other student functions on campus; records documenting campus student activities, including the words to Hail Our College and various College Yells performed after student dances and other functions; decorations from fall proms and Valentine's Day dances, as well as Convocation (1958); programmes from various College convocation ceremonies; various cards Collier received, including those for her birthday and Valentine's Day; election advertisements, primarily for those students running for Student Administration "Stick" positions.
The collection also contains a green taffeta, net and rhinestone gown purchased by Collier to wear to some of the formal dances held at Brandon's Prince Edward Hotel.
Notes
History/Bio information was provided by the donor in late 2016/early 2017. Information on the green gown can be found on prairiehistory.ca. Description by Brian Erixon (October 2016) and Christy Henry.
Maureen Johnson (nee Sills) was born in Brandon, MB in 1936 and grew up in western Manitoba. She spent three years in Ethiopia (1958-1961) and two years in Houston, Texas before taking up permanent residence in Winnipeg, MB. She attended Brandon College in 1953-1954, living in the Tower Room of Clark Hall.
From 1960-1979, Johnson raised her family, volunteered in the St. Vital community and was Secretary to the Manitoba Schools Science Symposium (1973-1977). She worked in the Office of the President at the University of Manitoba from 1980 to 1996.
Johnson is a visual artist and photographer, and is a member of the Winnipeg Sketch Club, Manitoba Society of Artists and Winnipeg South Photo Club. Her work is on permanent display at Medea Gallery (www.medeagallery.ca) where she has been a member since 1985. She also has work in the Rental Program at the Winnipeg Art Gallery.
For biographical information on Sarah Persis Darrach see RG 1 Brandon College fonds, Series 9: Clark Hall women's residence.
Custodial History
The original photographs in accession 10-2009 are in the custody of Maureen Johnson in Winnipeg, MB. Copies were digitally scanned by Johnson and sent to the Archives in March 2009. The 1921 photographs of Brandon College students were given to Johnson by Eileen McKenzie, her aunt, who attended Brandon College at that time. The photos of Sarah Persis Darrach (Johnson's great-aunt and maternal grandmother's sister) are from her family albums.
All of the records in accession 14-2009, except for the 1920 Quill and the Clark Hall Rules 1912, were collected by Johnson during her time at Brandon College. The Quill issue belonged to Johnson's aunt Eileen McKenzie, a student at Brandon College in the early 1920s. The records were in Johnson's possession at her home until their donation to the McKee Archives in May 2009.
Scope and Content
Accession 10-2009 consists of seventeen digital photographs. Seven photographs are of Sarah Persis Darrach (nee Johnson), taken primarily during her time as a nursing sister during World War I. Two photographs are of Eileen McKenzie. The remaining photographs depict students and student activities at Brandon College in the early 1920s.
Accession 14-2009 consists of a copy of the sound recording and program for Mr. College Spirit, a musical comedy presented by the Brandon College Literary Board and written by James Struthers and Kenneth Gunning. Accession also includes fifteen photographs from 1953-1954, when Johnson attended Brandon College. Subjects include: Freshie King and Queen; Graduation Banquets (1955, 1956); senior and lady sticks; Jim Casey Trophy; Grand March 1954; Capettes basketball team 1954; Glee Club 1953; Variety Night - Men's Chorus; Caps Football Team; Caps Hockey Team 1954; Cheerleaders 1954; Caps Basketball 1954; and Touques.
Textual records include graduation banquet and commencement programs, news clippings, programs for Variety Night and Be Your Age, a list of football cheers and a copy of the Fall Number of the 1920 Quill. Textual records also include two color photocopies: Clark Hall Rules 1912 and Johnson's Arts and Science Departments, Brandon College Registration card.
Notes
History/Bio information and Custodial History provided by Maureen Johnson (April 2009). A review of the play, written by Kay Rowe, appeared in the March 6, 1953 issue of the Quill.
Edith Mary Laycock was born on June 25, 1913. She attended Brandon Collegiate from 1929 until her graduation in 1931. Ms. Laycock attended Brandon College from 1931-1934, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1935, she attended the Wheat City Business College and graduated from the Stenographic Course. Ms. Laycock was employed by the Canadian Pacific Railway as a stenographer for many years and belonged to the Canadian Pacific Expressmen's Mutual Benefit Society from 1939.
Edith Laycock was very interested in drama. While attending Brandon Collegiate and Brandon College she participated in school and college plays. She was involved in drama and theatre throughout her aadult life. Edith Laycock directed many of Brandon College's major productions beginning in 1950. She was also the director of many of the plays put on by the Brandon Little Theatre from 1950. Ms. Laycock also performed in the Little Theatre productions when she was not directing.
Ms. Laycock was also involved in many other elements of Brandon life. She served alternatively as the vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and production manager of the Little Theatre throughout the 1940's and 1950's. She was the Social Manager for the Brandon Festival Committee in 1948, the Publicity Chairperson for the Brandon Music Festival Association in the 1950's, and the Secretary of the Brandon Overture Concert Association. Laycock also wrote play reviews for the Brandon Sun in the 1950's. She was the director of the Manitoba Delta Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi. In the 1960's Laycock was a member of the Brandon Council of Women and Chairperson of its Arts and Letters Committee. She was also the Vice-President of the Brandon Art Club in 1960. Edith Laycock also held a 12-week class in creative dramatics for children at the Allied Arts Centre in the early 1960's.
Edith Laycock died in Brandon on December 17, 1987.
Custodial History
This fonds was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. Prior custodial history is unknown.
Scope and Content
This fonds consists of memorabilia kept by Edith Laycock. A large part of the collection consists of programs from plays that Laycock performed in or directed during the 1950's and 1960's. There are also numerous newspaper clippings about Laycock's plays including reviews, pictures, and advertisements. This collection also includes a folder of programs from the Brandon Little Theatre productions in the 1950's, as well as clippings about the Little Theatre. There are also numerous articles about miscellaneous drama and art events throughout Brandon, Manitoba, and Canada. The fonds also includes Laycock's daybook from 1962, and travel notes from Laycock's 1952 trip to Great Britain and Europe. The latter contains a passenger list for the Empress of Scotland, August 5, 1952. The collection further includes Canadian Pacific Railway passes dating from 1947-1963 and a copy of the Canadian Pacific Pension Plan. Fonds also contains material from the various organizations that Laycock was involved with including the Brandon Council of Women and Beta Sigma Phi. Fonds includes 12 photos that appear to be family photos from Laycock's childhood. Finally, the fonds contains various copies of plays that Laycock performed in or directed.