For biographical information see RG 6 Brandon University fonds, Series 3 Office of the President, 3.1 President's files.
Scope and Content
Photograph of John E. Robbins' (painted) portrait.
Notes
The original painting, painted by Frank C. Bensing, is hanging above the door to Government Documents in the John E. Robbins Library. Frank C. Bensing was an American portrait artist (1893-1983). He was a resident of New York City. His most famous subject was Joseph P. Kennedy.
A plaque that accompanied the photograph and has since been discarded read: John R. Brodie, 1879-1962. Athlete, industrialist, and philanthropist. Resided in Brandon 1902-1920. Founded Great West Coal Company 1912. Contributed $250,000 to Brandon College, 1961, and left the college ¼ interest in his estate. Negative is located with the photograph.
A typed label has been taped to the back of the photograph. No other degredation observed. ST/2016
Custodial History
Photograph sent to Fred McGuinness from the Winnipeg Free Press Photo Department
Scope and Content
Photograph shows an elderly man hammering on an anvil in a Blacksmith's shop. A wooden sign on the chimney above the fire reads: The Blacksmith JP Friesen.
Notes
Photograph was collected during the research phase of the monograph "Manitoba: The Province & The People" (1987) written by Fred McGuinness and Ken Coates.
Writing on the back of the photograph reads: Blacksmith John Peter Friesen of Grunthal flattens a piece of iron fresh out of the forge at the Thresherman's [sic.] Reunion in Austin Thursday. July 24/86 dirk.
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 shows President Dennis Anderson and John Jardine, Head of Physical Plant, in either Clark Hall or the Brandon College Building during renovations.
Firby, who graduated from Brandon University in 1991, worked as the Acting Director for Alumni Relations from August 1993 - August 1995. She married John Brewster in Calgary, AB on August 15, 1998.
Custodial History
Photograph was tranfered to the McKee Archives from the Public Communications Office in the winter of 2007.
Scope and Content
Photograph Marla Firby and John Brewster on their wedding day.
Notes
Information about the wedding appeared in the Fall 1998 issue of Alumni News.
The John R. Brodie Science Centre was completed in 1971, with the official opening on May 7, 1972. It is located in the southeast corner of the campus and houses the Faculty of Science. The Brodie Building was named for John R. Brodie, a Brandon man who donated $250,000 to Brandon College in 1963 with the stipulation that the money be used for a Science Centre.
Scope and Content
Sub-series consists of photographs of the John R. Brodie Science Centre.
Notes
Additional biographical information on John R. Brodie is available in his bio file in the Reading Room.
Photograph is looking southeast and was taken from the roof of McMaster Hall. Photograph shows the roof and north side of the John R. Brodie Science Centre, the landscaping to the north of the building under construction and a number of residential streets in the background.