The James McGill Society had an eventful year as it adapted to Covid 19 and virtual presentations. Special thanks are due to Jennifer Garland and past-president, Gordon Burr, for their technical assistance in ensuring that events ran smoothly. Particular thanks are due to Stewart McCombie and Jonathan Roy - Multimedia Services - for their patience, professionalism and good humour.
McGill plans to restore in-class teaching this autumn, and the Faculty Club has announced its reopening after Labour Day. Much depends, however, on vaccination and infection numbers. Health measures such as face masks and social distancing will continue into the fall. It is assumed that double vaccination will be required for attendance at McGill University events.
Concerning the Society’s forthcoming 2021-22 program, the first event will be held virtually. Thereafter, the presentation format will be decided on a case-by-case basis, taking into account health, technical, and financial concerns along with membership preference. The proposed program for 2021/22 is as follows:
Monday, September 20, “The Diabolical Dr. Cream” by Dean Jobb. A Virtual Presentation. 194th Meeting.
Monday, October 25, “The Macdonald-Stewart Foundation” Bruce Bolton. 195th Meeting
Monday, December 6, “Writing McGill’s History” Peter McNally. 196th Meeting.
March 2022, “Unsung Heroes of McGill” Gordon Burr. 197th Meeting
April 2022, "The Maude Abbott Medical Museum Lost and Found Department" Rick Fraser. 198th Meeting.
A highlight of last year’s program was the Society participation in the launch of McGill’s Bicentennial celebrations on March 31 – Charter Day – with a virtual cocktail party attended by the Chancellor, Michael Meighan, the Principal, Prof. Suzanne Fortier, and Chair of the Board, Ram Panda. This event like all of last year’s program was presented virtually, using Zoom, The generally well attended meetings were preceded – 5:00-5:30 – by a “cocktail” party and finished with “social visiting.”
Monday, October 19, 2020, “The Hockey File,” by Ronald Critchley. A Virtual
Presentation. Presidential Address and Stanley Frost Annual Lecture. 189th Meeting
Monday, December 7, 2020. “The International Labour Organization and McGill
University during World War II,” by Prof. Adelle Blackett. A Virtual Presentation. 190th Meeting
Monday, February 22, 2021. “Education by Design: The Case of the McIntyre
Medical Building,” by Prof. Annmarie Adams. A Virtual Presentation. Maysie MacSporran Annual Lecture. 191st Meeting.
Wednesday, March 31, 2021. “Toasts and Reminiscence” 200th Anniversary Cocktail
Party: a Celebration of the Royal Charter Establishing McGill University. A Virtual Event. 192nd Meeting
Monday, April 26, 2021. “Not Lost At Sea: McGill Archivists To The Rescue,” by Gordon Burr, Ron Critchley & Wes Cross. A Virtual Presentation. 193rd Meeting.
Two hundred years ago, 1821, McGill University came into existence with its first Royal Charter. Fifty years ago, 1971, the Faculty of Arts and Science was split in two – Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Science.
Members of the McGill community who passed away over the past year included: Sam Kingdon, Chemistry Professor Jim Fresco, Chemistry Prof. Mario Onyszchuk and his wife Nancy, and Dr. John Burgess, co-editor of The General: A History of the Montreal General Hospital.
The James McGill Society Prize, 2020/2021 for the best undergraduate essay on McGill’s history, or of an essay making the best use of McGill’s research collections, is awarded to Julia Kechnie’s “Finding Voice at a Canadian University: the Creation of Women’s Studies at McGill University.” We look forward to presenting the $200.00 award at a fall meeting. Thanks are extended to Prof. D. Nerbas and G. Burr for handling this project, and to Prof. Suzanne Morton, Ms. Kechnie’s supervisor.
The Society’s Council is pleased to make the following nominations. In light of the continuing public health uncertainty and given his effective leadership over the past two years, Ron Critchley has been asked to continue as President for a second two-year term – to which he has agreed. Adria Seccarescia – McGill University Archives - is nominated for Council Membership. She has agreed to succeed Jennifer Garland as Chair of Communications.
Council agreed that the following statement on Native Land Acknowledgement be used at the Society’s meetings:
McGill University is situated on the traditional territory of the Kanien’kehà:ka, a place which has long served as a site of meeting and exchange amongst nations. We recognize and respect the Kanien’kehà:ka as the traditional custodians of the lands and waters on which we meet today."
A statement on James McGill was prepared by the Society’s executive in consultation with Council and distributed to members.
Special thanks and appreciation are extended, as always, to Mr. Tom Thompson and Ms. Susan Button for their loyal service to the Society. Martlet House is also thanked for handling donations to the Society and bookkeeping service.
Finally, I would like to thank Council and the entire membership of the James McGill Society for their continuing and unwavering support and encouragement.
I look forward to seeing you, virtually, at our meetings during the coming year.
Respectfully submitted
Peter F. McNally, Executive Secretary & Professor Emeritus