C O N G R E G ATI ON ISSUE THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA UBCREPORTS Graduates span generations Sense of accomplishment links students from various disciplines INSIDE Congregation schedule: How the days will unfold Teaching prizes recognize those who inspire and encourage Many professots emeritii remain actively involved with the university Ten distinguished individuals receive honorary degrees during spring Congregation A look at some of UBC's graduates 6-7 UBC's year In review 8-9 The Faculty of Law celebrates 50 years 12 by Gavin Wilson and Abe Hefter Hats Off John Chong photo Graduates Marilyn Dahl and Ryan Hung tip their mortarboards as they prepare to graduate during spring Congregation ceremonies held May 30 through June 2 at War Memorial Gymnasium. Dahl, 64, is graduating with a Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies, while Hung, 17, will receive a Bachelor of Science. Dahl and Hung are seen here in the new Rose Garden at the north end of Main Mall. Staff writers Ryan Hung, 17, and Marilyn Dahl, 64, may be at opposite ends of the age spectrum, but they are sharing one of life's most rewarding moments. Both are among the students who will graduate from UBC during spring Congregation ceremonies held May 30 through June 2 at War Memorial Gymnasium. Nearly 5,000 academic degrees will be conferred in eight separate ceremonies at9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. each day. Most kids Hung's age — he turned 17 in April — would soon be completing Grade 11 and lining up a summer job, perhaps flipping burgers or planting trees. Not Ryan. He is preparing to enter medical school after receiving a Bachelor of Science at spring Congregation. And yes, he has a summer job — in a research lab at B.C.'s Children's Hospital studying apoptosis, or programmed cell death. Hung is believed to be the youngest student to graduate from UBC. Although records from the university's early years are difficult to access, UBC has until recently refused admission to students under 16. "Ryan was just a kid when he first arrived here, but he has matured a great deal. He's an exceptional individual," said Jim Carolan, aphysics professorwho acted as his adviser. Hung says his age has never been a barrier for him. Articulate and confident, he had no trouble holding his own in classroom discussions and always felt he belonged with the older students. "I didn't find it hard to socialize," Hung said, pointing out that he arrived at UBC with friends who were also high school gradu - ates, if five years older. "I had been mixing with older students for some time, although it was hard to relate to some of their life situations," he admitted. Hung was just 12 years old when he and his parents arrived at the Dean of Science's office to seek special permission to attend UBC. He was a graduate of David Thompson Senior Secondary, an Eastside school with a math and science program that attracts top students from across the city. After completing every science course available, he did the Advanced Placement program, which gave him the equivalent of first-year university math and physics. Hung enrolled at UBC in the summer of 1991, when he was barely 13. He has now completed a combined honours physics/ chemistry degree program, reputed to be one of UBC's toughest undergraduate programs, with first-class grades. "That's a brutal program for anyone," said Carolan. "It in- See STUDENTS Page 2 Education lays a strong foundation Turn on any news broadcast or peruse an editorial page and there is a good chance you'll come across advice or information on how to keep current in our fast-paced society. True, the world is changing rapidly but it would be a stretch to say this process is happening faster than ever before. As an undergraduate, I studied physics and geology and went on to complete a doctorate in geophysics. Yet, within 10 years of graduation, I found myself deeply immersed in the entirely new field of planetary geology. Being a part of an evolving new discipline drove home the point that no one discipline has all the answers and that knowledge is in a perpetual state of change. Issues facing the world today and the opportunities open to graduates are unpredictable and often do not relate to the specialized skills acquired at university. A few years ago, I was invited to a luncheon attended by a number of Canadian members of Parliament. At the reception beforehand, I canvassed about six of the MPs, asking them if their university preparation was appropriate for their chosen career. Academic backgrounds ran the gamut from psychology, English, engineering and medicine. One after another, each MP took turns expounding on how their education provided them with the perfect combination of analytical, communication and critical thinking skills necessary for an MP's position. While not everyone aspires to be an MP, the question facing many graduates today is: How can we use skills acquired at UBC to move into a chosen career path? People tend to make distinctions between basic and applied sciences or social sciences and humanities. The fact that scholars can move back and forth between these areas, and that each can inform the other, renders such distinctions artificial. The same holds true beyond university. Boundaries between fields are coming down. As long as incoming students and outgoing graduates realize that knowledge cannot be compartmentalized, that it is always changing, the opportunities awaiting outside the university gates are limitless. Best wishes and good luck to all 1995 graduates. Tuum Est. David Strangway, President 2 UBC Reports • May 18,1995 Grad services meet under one roof by Abe Hefter Staff writer The Faculty of Graduate Studies and the Graduate Student Society (GSS) now offer UBC graduate students one-stop shopping. After calling the General Services Administration Building (GSAB) home for 25 years, the Faculty of Graduate Studies relocated to the Graduate Student Centre in February, a move of logistical and symbolic significance. "Our relationship with the GSS has been a good one," said Dean John Grace. "Being in the same building enables us to work on joint initiatives and deal with issues in a more efficient manner. "At the same time, people who visit the GSS will discover the Facultyof Graduate Studies, and vice-versa. That's going to be useful." The move to the Graduate Student Centre has also resulted in better facilities for the faculty. The faculty now has two first- rate oral examination rooms at its disposal, with a meeting room that can be used as a third. The GSAB offered only one proper one. In addition, the faculty's computer links with the rest of campus have been improved through the establishment of a local area network. Just down the road from the Students Continued from Page 1 volves an incredible number of hours and many labs. We discourage all but our top students from attempting it." Hung is also an accomplished pianist. At the age of 14 he completed the requirements for an associateship in piano performer diploma from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto in just six weeks, an achievement his teacher said he had not seen in 40 years of teaching. "I like to memorize things, so I like to play Bach fugues," he said. "They tend to be complicated pieces. I enjoy the challenge of playing them, and they sound pretty nice, too." Hung's next major challenge will be medical school. Never one to do things the easy way, he wants to combine the standard MD program with a PhD in research. Such a combined program "enables one to integrate clinical and research work," Hung said. "I don't want to forget my background in the fundamental sciences, but research lacks the human interaction that medical school provides." • • • • Like most graduating students who have successfully completed the rigours of a final PhD oral examination, Marilyn Dahl, wants to, in her words, "go out and play." However, Dahl isn't like most graduating students. After receiving a BSc in Nursing at UBC in 1979 and an MA in Communications at Simon Fraser University in 1987, Dahl returned to UBC to obtain her Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies. Now, at age 64, Dahl, who is profoundly hard of hearing, plans to continue her research on the psycho-social aspects of the hard of hearing and the late deafened. But first, she wants to take some time to relax. "I'm sure anyone who has written a PhD thesis will tell you how intensive the procedure becomes," said Dahl. "I feel good to have successfully completed my oral examination, but I suspect I'll feel even better as the days go by." Dahl's thesis is titled: Twice Imprisoned: Loss of Hearing, Loss of Power in Federal Prisoners in British Columbia. The study provided, for the first time, an examination of the prevalence and social impact of hearing loss in federal prisoners in the Pacific Region ofthe Correctional Service of Canada. Study recommendations include routine audiometric hearing screening of all prisoners at the time of incarceration, education of custodians to understand behaviours and communication needs of persons with impaired hearing, and a co-operative effort on the part of professionals, consumer groups and correctional services to recognize and deal with the issue. During her oral examination, Dahl used the services of a court reporter to transcribe examination committee questions and her answers, which were projected on screen behind her. This was a first for UBC, according to Electrical Engineering Prof. Charles Laszlo, director of the Institute for Hearing Accessibility Research at UBC and chair of Dahl's supervisory committee. "To work with this disability on a project that requires continuous interaction with people is a very difficult undertaking," said Laszlo. "Marilyn organized all the field work herself, negotiated with the prison officials, and conducted the interviews. The effort required to do this is just stupendous." Laszlo said examiners applied such terms as "ground-breaking," "courageous" and "very significant" to Dahl's research. "Marilyn made some excellent recommendations that can have significant impact on how hard of hearing prisoners are treated. The ideas and methodology may have implications to other situations as well." A holder of the Order of B.C. for her work with the hard of hearing, Dahl lost half her hearing suddenly at age 21, a condition which has progressed and left her with very little hearing. She feels attitudes toward the hearing impaired and accessibility have improved a great deal during the last 10 years and continue to improve as a result of initiatives like the Disability Resource Centre and the Institute for Hearing Accessibility Research. "UBC is a leader in this area. I hope to be able to make my contribution in the areas of social policy and health care," she said. INTERESTED IN TEACHING ABROAD? HERE'S YOUR TICKET! Choose from a one-month full-time or three-month part-time intensive program. Job placement assistance available. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL: ESL TEACHER TRAINING CENTRE Tel: (604) 872-1236, M-F 9-5 B.C. Government registered and bonded Annual Croquet Tournament Theme: Deep South/Plantation Style Tuesday, June 20 4:00-9:00 p.m. Norman Mackenzie House, UBC Cost: $100/player, $50/spectator, $500/team For information call 822-6192 ^L OPEN HOUSE 1995 "It's Yours" October 13-14-15 OPEN HOUSE SPECIAL EVENTS Student Day (K-12) on Oct. 13 Grand Opening of Student Recreation Centre Daily entertainment on outdoor stages Strolling street entertainers An Apple Fest Numerous displays and exhibitions And much more! faculty's new home is Green College on NW Marine Dr., a centre for advanced interdisciplinary scholarship at UBC. Green College is home to a community of scholars who blend social and intellectual life through academic programs and social and cultural events. "Green College has seen a tremendous amount of activity and interdisciplinary exchange," said Grace. "Our new location puts us closer to Green College and in a much more academic end of the campus. "We feel our move to the Graduate Student Centre has enabled the university to make better use of an under-utilized building, while freeing up the GSAB for administrative units." Berkowitz & Associates Statistics and Mathematics Consulting ■ research design • data analysis ■ sampling ■ forecasting Jonathan Berkowitz, Ph.D 4160 Staulo Crescent, Vancouver, B.C., V6N 3S2 Office: (604) 263-1508 Home: (604) 263-5394 PROGENITOR BIOMEDICA RESEARCH Voice/Fax: (604) 327-7924 of E mail biomedic@wimsey.com i Providing scientific expertise oo ft project or time-limited basis. Project cost analysts provided free with no obligation. i Immunology, Virology, Biochemistry, Clinical Lab Techniques, Clinical Trials, Computer database and spreadsheet design, training, communications, statisti&^fie^^g^teTs, scanning and more. Please cafl for eompleterbrochure. 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Material may be appropriate ere ublished twice monthly (monthly i, July and August) for the entire unity by the UBC Public Affairs C ial Rd., Vancouver B.C., V6T 1Z2 or, University Relations: Steve Cr jbc.ca) : Paula Martin(pmmartin@unixg.ut n: Stephen Forgacs (forgacs@uni> nnie Filletti (filletti@unixg.ubc.ca), 3r@unixg.ubc.ca), rlesk® unixg.ubc.ca), vinw@unixg. ubc.ca). •ertising enquiries: (604) 822-313 22-2684 (fax). comes the submission of letters Dpinions and advertising publish not necessarily reflect official un reprinted in whole or in part wit dit to UBC Reports. 'in ffice, ombie xi.ca) g.ubc.ca) 1 and edin iversity h Teaching Prize recipients challenge and inspire students by Gavin Wilson Staff writer Alexander Goumeniouk, a clinical assistant professor in the medical school, has received a standing ovation even before he's started lecturing. Anthropology Prof. Julia Cruikshank created an ethnographic field school with the Stoilo First Nation in the Fraser Valley. Clare Daem, a senior instructor in the School of Family and Nutritional Sciences, gives her students reference materials that are so valuable and extensive they still refer to them years later. These outstanding teachers are among 24 faculty members receiving University Teaching Prizes for 1995. The prizes recognize the fundamental importance of teaching at the university and are presented during spring Congregation ceremonies. Although their disciplines are very different, ranging from dentistry to Mexican history and business management, these faculty members share a gift for communicating and a dedication to learning that rise above the ordinary. Teaching prize winners pro vide inspiration, encourage creativity and develop critical thought. They might challenge the perceptions of their students, but they are always ready to listen, offer advice and answer questions. Recipients are selected by their faculties and receive $5,000 from endowment sources. This year's outstanding teachers are: Faculty of Agricultural Sciences: Clare Daem, School of Family and Nutritional Sciences Faculty of Applied Science: Sheldon Green, Dept. of Me chanical Engineering; Carol Jillings. School of Nursing Faculty of Arts: Steven Taubeneck. Dept. of Germanic Studies; Kieran Kealy, Dept. of English; William French, Dept. of History; Julia Cruikshank, Dept. of Anthropology and Sociology; Kenneth Bryant, Dept. of Asian Studies Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration: Derek Atkins, Management Science Division (CGA Master Teacher Award for graduate education); David McPhillips. Industrial Relations Management Division (Arne Olsen Master Teacher Award for undergraduate education). The: faculty also presented Commerce Alumni Talking Stick Awards for excellence in teaching to Ronald Giammarino, Kenneth MacCrimmon and David McPhillips Faculty of Dentistry: Dr. Rosamund Harrison, Dept. of Clinical Dental Sciences; Dr. Joanne Walton, Dept. of Clinical Dental Sciences Faculty of Education: Carl Leggo. Dept. of Language Education: Kjell Rubenson. Dept. of Education Studies and director. Centre for Policy Studies in Education Faculty of Forestry: Glen Young, Dept. of Forest Resources Management Faculty of Graduate Studies: Anthony Dorcey, Westwater Research Centre Faculty of Law: Joseph Smith Faculty of Medicine: John Gilbert, School of Audiology and Speech Sciences; Dr. Ray Baker, Dept. of Family Practice; Dr. Alexander (Dooley) Goumeniouk, Dept. of Pharmacology and Therapeutics Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences: Marion Pearson Faculty of Science: James Carolan, Dept. of Physics; Jean Meloche, Dept. of Statistics; Dana Zendrowski, Dept. of Chemistry Dana Zendrowski DanaZendrowski says she's lucky to be "blessed with a good memory.'' She certainly needs it. As laboratory director for Chemistry 230 (Organic Chemistry), Zendrowski was responsible for more than 850 undergraduates toll different labs this year. And she makes a point of learning their names. "It's very important to the students that I know their names, so I make a real effort to do that. I try to spend time with each student and treat each one as an individual," she says. That personal touch has helped make Zendrowski orte of the most outstanding and well-regarded teachers in the Faculty of Science. Students In other (acuities know her well, too. Organic Chemistry is also a prerequisite course for admission to the {acuities of Dentistry, Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences:., Aided by a team of 30 teaching assistants, Zendrowski teaches practical, hands-on laboratory skills and problem- solving strategies that go far beyond what she calls "cook' book-style chemistry." It's important that students are forced to think about what they're doing and use the reasoning anddeducuVe processes that underlie scientific research, she says. One of the most important attributes of a good teacher is being open and honest, Zendrowski adds. "You have to have a good senseof humour, too" she says. "Learning should be fun." Kenneth Bryant Teaching a course in Urdu court poetry, Kenneth Bryant took one look at his students and decided that he had to give them more than just the standard curriculum; "It's a very patriarchal poetry and I had a class that was predominantly women," the associate professor of Asian Studies explains. "It seemed even more ridiculous than usual to confine the course to traditional male poets." So Bryant added works by feminist Pakistani poets ofthe 1980s to the reading list and asked his students to look for relationships between the two, and how the contemporary text parodied and subverted the traditional verse. It's not the first time that Bryant has added a twist to the curriculum. He has a reputation for making his courses more relevant to students. To deepen their understanding of Urdu poetry, Bryant had his students write their own poetry In the traditional forms and then read aloud to their classmates. "It was partially.Just a fun thing to do, but largely I did it because I felt they would understand it better ifthey looked at it from the writers" point of view," he says. "Traditional verse was meant to be a performance medium, to be recited aloud in a group, not read silently from a page." Bryant has also shown his students a made-for-Indian-TV drama about a 19th century Mogul poet and then had them study the poems used as songs in the program. He was also part of a faculty team that first introduced non- Western content to the curriculum of the Arts One program. Mortarboard sales soar as graduates snap up the traditional flat hat by Gavin Wilson Staff writer UBC grads won't have to pass the hat around anymore. This year, for the first time, the graduating class can keep the mortarboards they wear during Congregation ceremonies as souvenirs. Until now. mortarboards were part of the gown and hood rental and had to be returned so that future generations of students could wear them There is now a small fee for keeping the caps, $7.98 with taxes, but that hasn't stopped grads from ordering them in large numbers. 'They're going over like hotcakes." said Sharon Walker, UBC Bookstore warehouse manager. "I'd say 80 per cent of the grads are ordering them." The Bookstore originally brought in 3.400 souve- inir mortarboards for Congregation '95, but now has ordered another 3,000 to meet the demand. The new caps also mark the end of the UBC tradition that only female graduates can wear mortarboards, a fact that always disappointed many male grads. "A lot of the guys really wanted to wear the hats," Walker said. "Now everybody is treated the same." The old mortarboards will be sold to "whoever wants them," said Walker, who expects that some ofthe colleges and schools throughout B.C. that now rent gowns from the UBC Bookstore may be potential purchasers. The new caps aren't as substantial, or as pricey, as the old mortarboards. Made of cloth-covered cardboard, one size fits all. UBC Reports ■ May 18, 1995 3 CONGREGATION SCHEDULE Tuesday, May 30 9:30 a.m. Honorary Degree: Hong-Tao Chow Degrees conferred: Commerce and Business Administration: PhD, MSc (Bus. Admin.), MBA, BCom. 2:30 p.m. Honorary Degree; Vincent Stogan Degrees conferred: Education, Human Kinetics: PhD, EdD, MA, MEd, MHK, MSc, BEd-Elementary, BEd- Secondary, BHK. Diplomas in Wednesday, May 31 9:30 a.m. Honorary Degree: Peter Wall Degrees conferred: Agricultural Sciences, Applied Science {Engineering), Architecture, Community and Regional Planning, Family and Nutritional Sciences, Interdisciplinary Studies, Occupational Hygiene: PhD, MA, MA (Planning), MLA, MSc, MSc (Planning), MASc, MEng, MASA, MArch, BSc (Agr.), BLA, BASc, BArch, BHE, BSc (Dietet). 2:30 p.m. Honorary Degrees: Wan Kyoo Cho, Ivar Ekeland Degrees conferred: Science: PhD, MSc, BSc, Diploma in Meteorology. Thursday, June 1 9:30 a.m. Honorary Degrees: Jack Hodgins, Gloria Webster Degrees conferred: Arts, Music, Library, Archival and Information Studies: PhD, DMA, MA, MSc, MFA, MMus, MLS, MLIS, MAS, BA (Anthropology to Greek, Latin) excluding General Program. 2:30 p.m. Honorary Degree: Garth Drabinsky Degrees conferred: BA (history to Women's Studies) and General Program, BFA, BMus. Diplomas - Applied Creative Non-Fiction, Applied Linguistics, Art History, French Translation, Film Studies. Friday, June 2 9:30 a.m. Honorary Degree: Leslie Dan Degrees conferred: Audiology and Speech Sciences, Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rehabilitation Sciences, Social Work: PhD, PharmD, MSc, MHA, MHSc, MSN, MSW, DMD, MD, BDSc, BMLSc, BSN, BSc (Pharm), BSc (OT), BSc (PT), BSW. Diplomas - Periodontics. 2:30 p.m. Honorary Degree: Thomas Franck Degrees conferred: Forestry, Law: PhD, MASc, MSc, MF, LLM, BSF, BSc (Forestry), BSc (Natural Resource Conservation), LLB. 4 UBC Reports May 18. 1995 UBC Facts UBC's degrees have been produced by the same printer, Gehrke Printing and Litho Ltd. of 738 East Cordova, since 1916. Early degrees were hand engraved on sheepskin and written in Latin. The wooden mace carried into the gym and placed on stage symbolizes authority. It was designed and carved by First Nations artist George Norris. The top countries of origin for UBC's international students are, for undergraduates: Hong Kong, Japan, U.K. Singapore, and the U.S. For graduate students: China, U.S., U.K., India and Japan (tied). Hoods and gowns worn by graduates are lined with colours that Indicate the degree to be conferred. Members of the Congregation processions wear colourful academic regalia from around the world, signifying their university of graduation and highest degree awarded. UBC has presented more than 500 honorary degrees in its history. In 1958, John Diefenbaker, Lester Pearson and W.A.C. Bennett received degrees the same day. Other notable degree recipients: Pierre Trudeau, Louis St. Laurent, Joey Smallwood, Princess Margaret, Oscar Peterson, Ken Dryden, J.V. Clyne, Adlai Stevenson, Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery, Robertson Davies, Tommy Douglas, Karen Kain, and Raymond Burr. It takes six pastry chefs two weeks of preparation to produce 32,640 sweets — including Nanaimo bars, chocolate chip cookies, lemon tarts — served during the four days of Congregation. 2,179 litres of fruit punch are served during Congregation. It is a three-day job to set up or tear down staging for Congregation, but due to other bookings it has been done in as little as 24 hours. There are 1,100 stacking chairs on the floor of the gym. UBC's first Congregation ceremony, on May 4,1916, took place in the Hotel Vancouver ballroom. There were 41 graduates. "Retired" prof among many who still contribute to UBC campus life Unstoppable - Prof. Emeritus Lew Robinson served as UBC's first head of geography from 1953 to 1968. Lew Robinson officially retired from UBC's teaching ranks in 1983. But the 76-year-old geography professor is far from calling it quits. Robinson, who served as UBC's first head of geography from 1953- 68, is one of hundreds of professors emeritii who continue to contribute time and effort to improving campus life. Robinson can still be found in his office most days helping undergraduates with any and all manner of problems. Until two years ago. he gave 10 to 15 lectures per term in the Geography of Canada courses he used to teach. He also delivered a handful of lectures annually to community organizations through the UBC Speakers Bureau. Admin is I ratively, Robinson keeps track of all alumni address records and donations to the Geography Scholarship Alumni Fund. This work includes sending a personal letter of thanks to each graduate who donates. He also reports on activities and employment of more than 2.000 geography alumni in a bi-annual newsletter sent to all graduates. "1 know all the students and enjoy keeping in contact." said Robinson. "Besides. I have an office and this is mv way of paying the rent." Robinson and colleagues of the Professors Emeritii Division ol the Alumni Association meet on campus four times a vear. Together thev successfully negotiated to have retired prolessors added to the university's dental and medical plans as well as have retired faculty lecture beyond the two-year maximum if requested bv a department. A keen athlete. Robinson was alumni representative from 1991-94 on ihe University Ath letic Council which advises UBC on athletic policies, iacilit ies and procedures. As he approaches 77. Robinson admits he may have to reconsider his second career as manager- player of Ihe UBC "Old Birds' I hoekev team as well as his cap- j taincvol the 65-and-over Vancou- ! ver Senior Canucks. But don't hold j your breath. Said Robinson: "There | are still a few more goals left to ; score." Baird, Peterson among recipients of 1995 Alumni Association awards The UBC Alumni Association has named seven outstanding individuals as the winners of its annual awards for 1995. The Alumni Award of Distinction, given to an alumnus in recognition of outstanding international achievement, is shared this year by Jim Cleave (BCom '74. MSc Bus '75). the former president and CEO of the Hongkong Bank of Canada: and John Bell (BCom'62), the Canadian high commissioner to Malaysia. Cleave is a leader in the international business community who has devoted his time and expertise to many professional societies and committees. Among the organizations with which he has served are the Business Council of B.C.. the Vancouver Board of Trade. Outward Bound and the Vancouver Public Library Capital Campaign. At UBC. Cleave has served on the Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration advisory committee since 1988. Bell is a 33-year veteran of the diplomatic corps who has worked in Ottawa. Stockholm. New York. Paris. Sydney. Brazil and West Africa. He has held such senior postings with External Affairs as consul general in Sao Paulo, Brazil, ambassador to Cote d'lvoire and ambassador to Brazil. Catherine Backman Bruce Macdonald An adjunct professor in the Sustainable Development Research Institute at UBC, Bell served as the chief negotiator at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. The Honorary Alumni Award, presented to a non-alumnus for outstanding service t o the Alumni Association or UBC. goes to Bruce Macdonald. director of the UBC Botanical Garden. He became assistant director of the Botanical Garden in 1980 and was named director in 1988. His award recognizes his extraordinary accomplishments with the garden and other achievements in the field of horticulture. These include the creation of new facilities, enhancing the community role ofthe Botanical Garden and expanding its international programs, for example twinning the garden with China's Nanjing Botanical Garden and developing the internationally acclaimed Plant Introduction Scheme. The Faculty Citation Award, given to a faculty member who renders outstanding service to the general community in capacities other than teaching or research, goes to Dr. Patricia Baird (BSc '59, MD CM '63). a professor in the Dept. of Medical Genetics. Baird was head ofthe department from 1979 until her appointment as chair of the Royal Commission on New Reproductive Technologies a decade later. She also developed and directed the Medical Genetics Outreach program from 1978- 89. was chair ofthe Vice-president's Committee on Molecular Genetics and served as a member of the Board of Governors from 1984 to 1990. In 1994. she was appointed a University Professor in recognition of her outstanding contributions to research, teaching and public service at UBC. She became a Member of the Order of British Columbia in 1992. The Blythe Eagles Volunteer Serv- ice Award, presented to an alumnus in recognition of extraordinary contributions of time and energy to the Alumni Association, goes to Leslie Peterson (LLB'49). A senior partner in the law firm Boughton Peterson Yang Anderson. Peterson was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1960. Elected as an MLA in 1956. he served as a member of the provincial government until 1972. holding cabinet posts as minister of Education and Labour and as Attorney-General. At UBC. Peterson was first appointed to the Board ofGovernors in 1978. serving as chair from 1979-83. He was elected chancellor in 1987. a position he held until 1993. He also served as chair of the Wesbrook Society from 1984-87 and as chair of the university's 75th anniversary celebrations in Leslie Peterson Patricia Baird rector ot nadian 1990. Peterson was a founding member of Convocation at both Simon Fraser University and the University of Victoria. The Outstanding Young Alumnus Award goes to Catherine Backman (BSR '81. MS'87) and Glenn Wong (BCom '80). Backman was student presidenl ofthe UBC Rehabilitation Medicine Undergraduate Society in 1980-81 and won the Rehabilitation Medicine Book Prize in 1 98 1 . Since 1986 she has been a senior instructor at the School of Rehabilitation Sciences, serving as acting director of the school in 1993-94. Backman has also been a mentor in the YWCA mentorship program and served as a member of the Big Sisters board of directors. Wong has been president and CEO of Western Greenhouse Growers'Cooperative Association since 1993. Prior to that, he was vice-president of marketing with Nabob Foods Ltd. for 10 years. Wong has also served as a direc- _j tor of the Insurance Corporation of B.C. and a cli- the Association ol'Ca- Advertisers. While a student at UBC, he served as AMS secretary and as a student representative on the Board of Governors. Honorary degree recipients boast range of achievements, interests by Connie Filletti Thomas Franck Sfq£f writer Gloria Webster, a leader in First Nations cultural affairs and Jack Hodgins, one of Canada's finest fiction writers, are among the 10 distinguished individuals receiving honorary degrees from UBC during spring Congregation. Other honorary degree recipients are: Wan Kyoo Cho, president of the Bioindustry Association of Korea; Hong- Tao Chow, national policy adviser to the president of the Republic of China; Leslie Dan, founder and president of Novopharm Ltd.; theatre impressario Garth Drabinsky; Ivar Ekeland, former president of the University of Paris-Dauphine; Thomas Franck, director of New York University's Center for International Studies; Vincent Stogan,a principal resident elder at UBC's First Nations Longhouse; and Vancouver businessman and philanthropist Peter Wall. Award - winning actor, theatre producer and Wan Kyoo Cho teacher Joy Coghill and Wendy Clay, surgeon- general of the Canadian Forces, will be presented with honorary degrees at UBC's fall Congregation ceremonies in November. William Esson, chief justice of the Supreme Court of British Columbia, will Jack Hodgins receive an honorary degree during a special ceremony at the downtown Law Courts on Oct. 13. • Wan Kyoo Cho has been instrumental in fostering links between Korea and Canada, especially in the development of academic exchange programs between Seoul National University and UBC. • Hong-Tao Chow is widely recognized for his expertise in financial management and dedication to promoting goodwill on an international scale. • Leslie Dan has devoted his business career to the development of pharmaceutical manufacturing and research in Canada. In 1985 he founded the Canadian Medicine Aid Program, an organization which provides medicine and health . . care aid in developing nations. •Garth Drabinsky, described by New Yorker magazine as the "Canadian Ziegfeld," has stimulated public funding for the arts, increased opportunities for musicians and actors and revitalized the motion picture industry in Canada. • Ivar Ekeland, an outstanding mathematician, scientist, writer and administrator, is revered for his pioneering work dealing with the application of game theory to economics. • Thomas Franck. a UBC graduate, is Ivar Ekeland Vincent Stogan recognized as one of his generation's most productive and influential international legal scholars and serves as an adviser to the United Nations on various councils related to international law and human rights. • Jack Hodgins, since graduating from UBC, has enjoyed a long and distinguished career as a writer of West Coast regional literature. He is known for creating a compelling portrait of Vancouver Island, its people and history. • Vincent Stogan, the cultural and spiritual leader of the Musqueam First Nation, has helped lead the way to the development and growth of programs for First Nations students at UBC. • Peter Wall, admired for his philanthropic commitment to bettering his community, has supported a broad range of business, cultural and Peter Wall academic activities including the Canadian National Institute for the Blind and the Vancouver Opera Society. • Gloria Webster, a consultant on the legal and cultural rights of indigenous people, has combined activism and scholarship to create a positive relationship between native and non-native cultural communities. She is a pioneer in native-owned and operated museums. Prize Sinner's degjfeo collection grows with Addition of nine in 1995 byConrtteFHenl Staffwrtter Michael Smith's Birkenstock sandals were made for walking, and that's just what they'll do, as UBC's affable Nobel Prize laureate travels the country collecting nine honorary degrees this year. Smith, whose preference for comfortable footwear came under Intense media scrutiny when he won the 1993 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, will walk across the stages of convocation halls from British Columbia to Nova Scotia between May and October, taking part tn a tradition at least four centuries old. "An honorary degree from a learned institution is an award of profound signlfl- cance .* Smith said. /Tor a university professor, it is especially meaningful because it Is granted by the profession in which the recipient has spent his or her career." The University of British Columbia, the University of Guelph, Simon Fraser University, Toronto's York University and Manchester University hi England. Smith's alma mater, have already conferred honorary degrees on him. Smith wiH receive four degrees this month, another four in June and one at the Universityof Ottawa's fell Congregation ceremonies. In total, universities in five provinces are honouring Smith, including three institu dons each in Ontario and Martin Dee photo Michael Smith Quebec. Smith, director of UBC's Biotechnology Laboratory, was awarded the Nobel Prize fbr pioneering a method which reprograms the genetic code, providing scientists with a clearer understanding of how biological systems function. "The most surprising and heartwarming consequence of winning the Nobel Prize is the widespread and continuing public interest," Smith said. "I feel this particularly at graduation ceremonies where parents and students often come up to me to tell me that my receipt of the award has been an inspiration to them." Additional honours bestowed on Smith In recent weeks include an introduction to Canada's House of Commons and induction as a Companion of the Order of Canada. He will receive the Order of British Columbia on June 13. UBC Reports ■ May 18, 1995 5 UBC Facts Each year since 1919 the graduating class has planted a tree to mark Congregation. The class of '95 ts planting a pine tree in the courtyard between Buchanan buildings C, D and E. More than 150,000 people have graduated from UBC since its doors opened in 1915. The Ladner Clock Tower in front of the Main Library houses a 330-bell carillon which is played during special occasions, including Congregation, although it is out of order this year. Tbe 123-foot tower was built te 1968 in memory of B.C. pioneers, especially members of the Ladner famRy who founded the town ofthe same name. UBC produces graduates from 12 faculties: Agricultural Sciences, Applied Science, Arts, Commerce and Business Administration, Dentistry, Education, Forestry, Graduate Studies, Law, Medicine, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Science. There are 1,954 full-time faculty members at UBC. Enrolment during winter session of 1994-95 was 25,335 undergraduates and 6,650 graduate students. Previous UBC graduates include Senator Pat Carney, B.C. Premier Mike Harcourt, Journalists Allan Fotheringham and Joe Schlesinger, former prime ministers Kim Campbell and John Turner, humourist Eric fttcot, opera singer Judtm Forst, author and historian Pierre Berton, advocate for the disabled Rick Hansen, and poet Earie Birney. When graduating students are presented to the chancellor he or she says "1 admit you," welcoming them to Convocation, the body of graduates which elects the chancellor and some university senators. The War Memorial Gym was built in 1951 with money raised by UBC students, alumni and the provincial government to honour veterans of the two world wars. The gowns, hoods and mortarboards worn by graduating students evolved from clothes worn by European scholars in the Middle Ages. UBC has more than 900 gowns and 3,500 hoods used for Congregation. They are often rented out to colleges and schools throughout B.C. 6 UBC Reports • May 18,1995 Physics and math student graduates with UBC's highest GPA ever Top rower finds balance between sport and academics Personal philosophy guides pharmacy student to success Gavin Wilson photo Mark Van Raamsdonk UBC has graduated authors, scientists, engineers, an astronaut and two prime ministers, but none of them were as smart as Mark Van Raamsdonk. The unassuming 21-year-old physics and math honours major is graduating with what is believed to be the highest grade point average ever achieved by a UBC student — 98.6 per cent. To do that. Van Raamsdonk completed 15 courses with 100 per cent marks, a rare feat. "I've been teaching for more than 25 years and I think I've only given three grades of 100 per cent," said Physics Prof. Jim Carolan. "Mark's got one of them." The lowest grade he has ever received at UBC was 94 per cent, a grade "most students would die for," Carolan said. After watching Van Raamsdonk defend his honours thesis on an aspect of theoretical physics, one professor threw up his hands and said: "Why bother sending him to grad school? Let's just make him a professor now!" Carolan recalls a second-year exam of physics problems he gave to Van Raamsdonk: "I though my solutions to the problems were pretty good — it was my exam, after all — but the solutions that Mark wrote were so elegant, so complete, it was as if he had spent all week working on them, instead of three hours. It's almost as if the clock stops when he's working." Van Raamsdonk is characteristically unruffled and modest about his achievements. He claims it is easier to get high marks in the sciences than in programs with subjective evaluation, such as arts. But the facts don't bear him out. In his five UBC arts courses he averaged 99 per cent. A graduate of St. Michaels University School in Victoria, Van Raamsdonk received the second highest mark in B.C. on the English Literature 12 scholarship exam, unheard of for a science student. He has also studied French and German. Also in high school, he got a perfect score on the nationwide Euclid math competition and went to Sweden as a member of Canada's national team in the International Math Olympiad. Among Van Raamsdonk's achievements at UBC: the highest mark in the country in the Canadian Association of Physicists undergraduate exam and placing in the top 50 each year for four years in the William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition, an exam written by more than 2,000 of North America's brightest students. In his spare time. Van Raamsdonk plays jazz on the alto saxophone or Paul Simon songs on acoustic guitar. He also enjoys stargazing with his home telescope. "I haven't found anything that Mark isn't good at," says his friend and fellow student David Savitt. "He's even the best player on our intramural ball hockey team (called Limb Soup, a play on words only a mathematician would get)." In September, Van Raamsdonk enters the PhD program in Princeton University's physics department. "There's some very famous theoretical physicists at Princeton," he said. "I think they have the best faculty for me." - Gavin Wilson, Staff writer Drugs and sports don't usually mix, except in Lawrence Varga's case. For the past four years the UBC rower has successfully balanced a rigorous training schedule with his studies, earning him B.C. and Canadian championship wins and a BSc in Pharmacy. "I believe that my athletic interests helped me in my academic career," Varga said. "Despite nodding off in the classroom the odd time, I think a healthy body does lead to a healthy mind." As a UBC undergraduate, a typical day for Varga began at 5:30 a.m. A two- or three- hour training session at Burnaby Lake was followed by a day of lectures, then weight training at the gym for a few more hours before hitting the books. It's a schedule Varga maintained six days a week, not unusual for a multi-medal winner and member of B.C.'s men's elite eight team that took top spot at last year's Canadian Henley Regatta. Varga and his fellow UBC rowers also competed in the English Henley Regatta in London last summer. One of the biggest challenges he faced rowing for the university was the amount of time he spent on the road, as well as in the water, Varga said. "The travel involved didn't always mesh with exam schedules, he explained. "But the support I received from the faculty was great. They understood the demands on my time and how difficult it could be balancing my rowing commitments with my academic responsibilities. The faculty always helped me work out my schedule." Varga is currently completing a four-week clerkship at a pharmacy in his hometown of Nanoose Bay near Nanaimo, B.C., while following a limited training program to help keep him in championship form. Although he plans to put his career in pharmacy on hold for the time being, Varga does hope to be a community pharmacist one day. But right now, he wants to work toward his Olympic aspirations. Varga's immediate plans include moving to Victoria to resume a full-time training schedule in preparation for a coveted place on Canada's national rowing team which will be selected this November. - Connie Filletti, Staff writer Evangetos Photography Lawrence Varga Arun Verma Arun Verma knows the importance of taking one step at a time. It is a philosophy he invokes often in describing his approach to life since a car accident seven years ago left him quadriplegic. "Before I got hurt I was accepted at UBC's medical school. After the accident, I felt that I didn't have too many choices until I realized that I could change direction," Verma said. "If you've made the choice to fulfil your goals, you've already taken that first step." For Verma, his first step came almost three years after sustaining his injuries when, with one degree already to his credit — a BSc in Biochemistry earned at UBC in 1986 — he enrolled as a full-time student in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. He admits to some nervousness at first, especially about using a wheelchair to get around campus. But he can't recall any major challenges that faced him during his four years working towards his BSc in Pharmacy. Verma credits the faculty and staff in Pharmaceutical Sciences for doing whatever was necessary to ensure that he had the same access to services and facilities as his classmates. "They gave me all the help I needed, from completing registration forms to having a door widened in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences' Cunningham Building for my wheelchair," he said. In many ways, Verma also helped the faculty, said Frank Abbott, one of his professors and a friend. "He often shared the experiences he had with people who couldn't see past the wheelchair," Abbott said. "It was an education for all of us." He described Verma as very focused, skilled and knowledgeable with a gift for sensitivity — traits which would make him a great teacher, Abbott said. Currently doing a one-month internship at the Medicine Centre in Langley, Verma will begin a one-year residency in clinical pharmacy at St. Paul's Hospital two weeks after graduating on June 2. He is tentative about his future beyond that. "I want to leave my choices open. I'm just looking one day ahead to see what's out there, and then I'll take the next step." - Connie Filletti, Staff writer UBC Reports • May 18, 1995 7 Clare-Jean Lamb Clare-Jean Lamb's family whipped up a surprise for her 61 st birthday last month. The whipped-cream pie fight allowed the UBC graduate to let off some steam after five years of dogged determination. "It was dreadful when I think of it now because I was assessed at the start with Grade 5 level math," said Lamb. "It really has been quite a journey." After 16 years as a hairdressing teacher and another 16 years as a western cosmetics co-ordinator for a major drugstore chain, Lamb decided to return to school. She had two sons, five grandchildren and a dream of getting a UBC degree under her full maiden name. Since she started hitting the books in 1989, the Bella Coola resident has reverted to a name she hasn't used since Kindergarten. Lamb's journey began with two years of academic upgrading at Capilano College before her acceptance into UBC's School of Social Work. A women's studies course gcive Lamb the idea that she wanted to work with women in the field of social work, particularly in the area of alcohol and drug recovery. Following an initial year on campus, Lamb's partner of 10 years got a job posting in Bella Coola which forced Lamb to continue her studies briefly through distance education courses at the University of Victoria. She eventually returned to Vancouver for fourth year and lived with two different couples. Said Lamb: "I've had so much support from family and friends which is vital especially for a student my age. It allowed me to stay focused on what I had to do." Lamb completed her fourth-year practicum at the Bella Coola General Hospital assisting a mental health worker. She also worked for the Ministry of Social Services developing a life-skills program for single mothers with babies. "Social work is about social change and helping people change with society," said Lamb. "That's why I did all this." Lamb is scheduled to be the 654th student to cross the stage in War Memorial Gym during her graduation ceremony, a moment she's more than willing to wait for. Afterwards, she'll hop in her new red convertible, a graduation present from her partner, and take the two-day drive back to Bella Coola. - Charles Ker, Staff writer Student conquers distance enroute to fulfilling dream International studies have consumed Wayne Nelles for all of the last decade. After finishing a master's degree in archeology at Simon Fraser University, Nelles joined the board of directors of the United Nations Association in Vancouver. Volunteer work kept him busy writing papers, organizing events and generally educating others about the United Nations system and international issues, especially those dealing with the environment. Three years later, in 1987, he began a PhD in the Dept. of Educational Studies with a focus on history and international affairs. Since then, the 40-year-old scholar has been a case study in perseverance. A thesis that originally started out as a retrospective of international education across Canada from 1900 to the present has had to negotiate a series of sharp turns and roadblocks. In the end, his successful PhD paper analysed the transition from imperialism to internationalism in B.C. from 1900 to 1939. "My original idea was a bit abstract and I had to change my focus several times," said Nelles, who was unable to write for almost two years due to acute tendonitis in his right shoulder. "Being one of those 'let's change the world' types, I had a hard time zeroing in on a specific topic. Let's just say I'm glad it's over." He does admit that his UN work did push the envelope. For the Earth Summit in Rio, Nelles organized a series of "citizen strategy" meetings involving diverse groups like the Western Canada Wilderness Committee, Greenpeace, CUSO and the Womens' International League for Peace and Freedom. Last year he attended the International Conference on Education in Geneva and the World Summit on Social Development in Copenhagen. Two months ago he was off to New York with the Canadian delegation at the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and he is already writing agenda items for next year's gathering which will look at international education issues. Nelles brought back a couple of dozen business cards from New York which he'll add to the cases of cards he has collected over the years. When asked whether he'll be tapping these contacts for employment opportunities in the international studies field, Nelles replied: "Perhaps, but my main purpose is to go beyond just getting a job." - Charles Ker, Staff writer Charles Ker photo Wayne Nelles Completion of degree caps decade of obsession with world affairs John Chong photo Paul Winn Paul Winn, a self-described "big mouth" in Vancouver's black community, can't wait to strut his stuff in court as a lawyer. "I haven't got a chance to wear the robes yet but I am looking forward to it," said Winn, wh o has spent most of his 55 years fighting racism and discrimination of one form or another. Winn's obsession with human rights issues started when he was 14. An article in a Toronto newspaper featured a black teenager from Mississippi who was brutally murdered for allegedly whistling at a white woman. "I never forgot that," said Winn. "The fact that he was my age made me sick." Since then, Winn has been employed primarily as a social worker for a number of government and other agencies across Canada. Among his first challenges was working for a Nova Scotia-based organization called the Black United Front. For four years he supervised the cleanup and development of close to 30 black communities, many of which had no proper school, transportation or sewage systems. His work on the east coast eventually caugh t the eye of the federal government. During the early 1970s, Winn worked as a special consultant for Corrections Canada reviewing social development and recreational programs at every maximum and medium security prison in the country. Winn used experiences in community development to give prisoners some control over decisions previously made on their behalf. He left the penitentiary system after a colleague was taken hostage and killed in a B.C. prison riot in 1975. From Corrections Canada, Winn held a number of different government positions developing affirmative action programs for visible minority groups and analysing policy under the Canadian Multiculturalism Act. He even had a brief stint hosting a CBC television show called The Canadians which highlighted a different cultural group each week. Finally, in 1991, his wife, Diana Priestley, urged him to apply for law school. "The idea had always been percolating in the back of my mind because it seemed I never knew enough about the legal rules or how the rules applied in order to get things done faster," said Winn. "But when I got accepted into UBC I was scared to death." During his three years at UBC, Winn has been active in the Black Law Students Association and also helped research an assessment of human rights legislation in the province. Winn says that while he will always keep fighting human rights abuses, his professional interests lie in the field of media and entertainment law. - Charles Ker, Staff writer Human rights activist takes on legal career 8 UBC Reports ■ May 18, 1995 UBCs Year in Review 1994 May The Nitobe Memorial Garden and Tea House officially re-opens after undergoing a $1.5-million restoration. June Dr. Patricia Baird becomes the sixth faculty member to be appointed University Professor in the 29-year history of the professorships at UBC. Her appointment was unanimously approved by the university's Board of Governors in recognition of her outstanding and original contributions to reaearch, teaching and public service k» the field of duly The School of Audiology and Speech Sciences celebrates its 25th anniversary. August A report released by the Office of Budget and Planning Indicates that UBC's annual economic impact on B.C. is estimated at $2.3 billion, or more than three per cent of the province's gross domestic product. UBC's Board of Governors approves the creation of an Institute for Hearing Accessibility Research. The institute will be the first in North America to explore the ability to understand the spoken word in ail situations m everyday life. UBC athletes Paige Gordon, Kevin Draxinger and Graeme Pell win medals In the 1994 Commonwealth Games held in Victoria. September Construction begins on the $24-million Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, a top- quality performance facility and community resource. UBC is chosen to coordinate a nationwide study to determine if prenatal testing for fetal chromosomal abnormalities can be conducted safely and accurately during the early stages of pregnancy. October The new $15.6-million Rose Garden Parkade is completed, outfitted with the latest safety features. The parkade also helps to restore the north end of Main Mall to its original intent as a major entrance to campus. MBA students put experience to the test with BC Tel project by Abe Hefter Staff' writer "The single best indicator of our success will be client satisfaction." John Claxton. associate professor of marketing. Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration. "I was very pleased." Mike Lewis, manager of proc ess improvements. BC Tel. That, in a nutshell, sums up the experiences of UBC MBA students and representatives of BC Tel who worked together last semester on Commerce 590F: Marketing Technological Products Laboratory. With a course objective of preparing participants for careers in organizations that market high-technology products and services, five students were given the task of providing BC Tel with an analysis and assessment of the computer software tools used to support sales staff in the company's business division. The students interviewed 40 members of the BC Tel management and sales team in an effort to determine if current computer software sales tools were meeting their needs. 'The students did an excellent job of establishing working relationships with BC Tel employees." said Lewis. "They brought with them a combination of strong practical and academic experience. Their professional and enthusiastic approach was reflected in their quality of work." Team members like Ken Armstrong each spent a half- Abe Hefter pnoTo A team of five MBA students worked with BC Tel representatives to provide BC Tel with an analysis and assessment of computer software tools used to support sales staff in BC Tel's business division. Pictured are (l-r) Mike Lewis, BC Tel manager of process improvements; students Ken Armstrong, Jean-Francois Bowden and Assoc. Prof. John Claxton. day per week at BC Tel as part of the course load. In addition, they spent evenings and weekends gathering information for a report that was to be based on a questionnaire distributed to 105 BC Tel employees. "BC Tel officials were very receptive to the whole package," said Armstrong, a process engineer with a Vancouver chemical technology design firm who is in the third year of his evening MBA program. "It was a win-win situation for everyone involved. From a student's perspective, we learned a lot about real business prob lems. BC Tel got an unbiased, outside evaluation of their sales- related computer software pro grams. And UBC received the support of the Vancouver business community lor this program." The students recapped the company's strategic directions and added their own recommendations, both long-and short-term, in an oral and written report presented to BC Tel management. The company is currently in the process of implementing some of those recommendations, including a refocusing of expenditures in software development reflected in the questionnaire's findings. Mike Lewis credits Assoc. Prof. ■John Claxton tor playing an active role in the project. "Although the students established their terms of reference up front and didn't require a lot ol direction from mv perspective, you could see John's hand at work in the background, if you will, said Lewis. "If the opportunity presents itself. BC Tel would be more than happy to participate in this type of program again." Open House '95 offers students an inside look at UBC activities by Connie Filletti Staff writer When UBC last hosted a campus-wide Open House in 1990, more than 6,000 students from across the province attended, exploring hundreds of informative and entertaining events featuring the university's accomplishments. Students currently attending B.C.'s elementary and secondary schools will have the same opportunity when UBC opens its doors again Oct. 13, 14 and 15 for a celebration of its academic excellence, research and community service. They are being invited to converge on UBC for "Student Day" on Oct. 13 to participate in activities designed with them in mind, including demonstrations, displays and lectures. "We regard student visitors as one of our most important audiences," said UBC Marketing Manager Debora Sweeney. "Many of them are UBC's future students, and we believe that Open House '95 provides an outstanding opportunity for recruitment." Events planned to date range "We regard student visitors as one of our most important audiences. Many of them are UBC's future students, and we believe that Open House '95 provides an outstanding opportunity for recruitment." - Debora Sweeney from a demonstration of job hunting with the use of leading- edge technology, to a lecture by UBC's Nobel Prize winner. Michael Smith. UBC's School and College Liaison Office and the Alma Mater Society (AMS) are co-ordinating "Student Day" in co-operation with several campus units including Student Career Services, the Disability Resource Centre, the Registrar's Office and the Student Resources Centre. "Our goal is to provide visiting students with an overall impression of campus life, from demonstrations of academic programs to student services and extracurricular activities such as participation in athletics, clubs and studen: government." Sweeney said. Student participation in planning an Open House program is at an all-time high on campus. Sweeney noted that UBC students serve on several of the 14 Open House '95 organizing committees, and have taken a leadership role in forming a student committee, which hopes to stimulate student attendance by organizing a number of AMS sponsored special events such as concerts and contests. In addition, the AMS plans to highlight non-academic activi ties awaiting students at UBC. including displays featuring some ofthe more t ban 200 clubs on campus, and presentations on volunteer opportunities with community-based organizations such as the United Way. According to Sweeney. UBC students do more than talk about voluntarism. Ofthe 450 volunteers needed for general duties during Open House '95. most of them will be students, she said. In total, approximately 2.000 students will be involved in the event. Other "Student Day" attractions planned for Oct. 13 include Ihe official opening of the new. S 10-million Student Recreation Centre. Construction of the centre, which will provide the necessarv facilities and resources to meet the needs ol students' sports and recreational pursuits, is financed with 85 million in student contributions and matching funds from the provincial government. On Oct. 14. about 200 B.C. secondarv students who will be attending UBC. and are recipients of various entrance scholarships and awards, will be invited to a special ceremony recognizing their achievements. Anyone wishing to volunteer for Open 1 louse '95. or who has a UBC project or display that would be of interest to the public, please call 822-0548. Sorority members' charitable activities contrast stereotype by Connie Filletti Staff writer Alpha Phi member Ada Chan knows that the mere mention of the word "sorority" conjures up pictures of privileged young women in sweater sets and pearls, organizing slumber parties and spring formals. But to children with disabilities, rape victims and people living with AIDS, sororities are a source of support. Chan, a second-year chemistry and math student, is one of about 200 sorority women on campus who volunteer their time and raise money for a dozen charitable organizations throughout the year. "People with a stereotyped view of sororities don't realize that hosting special social functions is secondary to our philanthropic work," Chan said. "Planning fund-raising activities in support of local, national and international agencies concerned with everything from breast cancer to juvenile diabetes is our major mission, and one we take very seriously." In the past few months alone, sorority members have bowled for cystic fibrosis, sold candy- grams for heart and stroke research and staged a 30-hour famine that raised almost $400 to help victims of the civil war in Rwanda. Chan, who also serves as president of the Panhellenic Council, the governing body of UBC's seven sororities, credits inter-sorority co-operation and friendly rivalry for the vibrant humanitarian spirit that exists among the membership. "Another myth about sororities is that we are fiercely competitive with each other," Chan said. "Collecting for our penny drive is as intense as it gets only because the sorority that raises the least amount of pennies has to roll all of them." The collegiality shared by the sororities also appears in their joint, weekly meetings when members' achievements Ada Chan, president of the Panhellenic Council, stands in front of UBC's Panhellenic House, home to the university's seven sororities. The building, which opened in 1961, was the first of its kind in Canada. Located adjacent to Nitobe Memorial Garden, Panhellenic House provides meeting and recreational space for the 200 sorority women on campus. Gavin Wilson photo in everything from athletic events to academic excellence are recognized. "Friendship, support and real life experience are among the most valuable things I have gained as a sorority member," Chan said. "You can do things on your own but you can accomplish so much more with a group." Chan expects these benefits to last a lifetime through a system of sorority alumni associations which keeps the women in contact with each other and encourages them to continue their philanthropic endeavours past their university career. Although no formal criteria exist for women seeking sorority membership, a commitment to community service and good academic standing are unwritten requirements. Annual membership dues in UBC sororities, which are nonprofit organizations, vary between 8375 and 8500. The money is used to cover expenses for items such as international fees, social events and publications. Some sororities provide finan cial aid to potential members who need help covering the membership cost. Each sorority can accommodate up to 40 members in any given year. Chan said that UBC's preparations to host its first Open House in five years, from October 13 to 15, have focused the sororities' attention on helping the campus community. "We have firmly established our presence in the wider community, and we are definitely interested in increasing our involvement with the university." Tuum Est: Ifs up to you Tuum Est is the motto that has served those who have attended UBC ever since the doors of this institution first opened. Literally translated, Tuum Est means "it's yours." However to the students of UBC, Tuum Est has meant "it's up to you," reflecting the fact that a student's destiny on campus is truly in his or her own hands. This interpretation, deemed so appropriate by generations of UBC students to the point of being inspirational, was actually the creation of a UBC hockey goalie, the 1915 tender ofthe twine, the late Sherwood Lett. Lett, a Rhodes Scholar who would later lead a distinguished life in the military as well as in law, and who for a time was UBC's chancellor, introduced this vernacular rendering in 1915 in an address he gave to UBC's first freshman class in his capacity as this school's first Alma Mater Society president. Lett must have made quite an impression. From that moment, the spirit of "it's up to you" became synonymous with the experience of learning at UBC. Over the years, however, there have been those who have criticized this translation, to which Lett responded: "I will admit it may not be justified by the laws of Latin grammar, but Tuum Est as our motto contains a great and ennobling idea. That idea is not that the university is yours by right or gift, but rather this; you as a member of this university have duties to perform - duties to your alma mater, your province, your country and yourself. The fulfilling of these duties is your personal concern. In other words, it's up to you." Lett also informed us that the day before this i915 student address, he relayed his interpretation to the university president. Dr. Frank Wesbrook, who replied: That is a happy translation and contains precisely the idea." The feeling was that this translation conveyed the concept of duty whereas the literal rendering was "as tame and uncompromising as it is literal." Apparently, our hockey player/student leader was somewhat prophetic because from that inaugural year of 1915 onward, the students of UBC embraced his translation and the feeling behind it. Even though his rendering still has its detractors who insist upon using the literal translation, for nearly 80 years of UBC students, campus life has been epitomized by Tuum Est - it's up to you. UBC Reports May 18. 1995 9 UBC's Year in Review November The faculties of Forestry and Applied Science are selected by the National Education Initiative Board to implement an innovative undergraduate program in wood products engineering, the first of its kind in North America. UBC ranks first in the "best overall" and "leaders of tomorrow" reputational categories among Canadian universities offering medical/doctoral degrees in the fourth annual Maclean's magazine survey. December UBC and Rick Hansen collaborate to create the new Life Skills Motivation Centre designed to help people in the community take control of and Improve the quality of their lives. The university and the Greater Vancouver Regional District sign a landmark agreement on a process for planning and development at the university. 1995 January Five UBC faculty members are appointed to the Order of Canada in recognition of their outstanding achievements and service. February Phase one of the expansion and renovation of the Faculty of Education's Scarfe Building is completed, designed to take advantage of advances in technology to better prepare teachers for the schools of the future. March UBC authors are honoured at a reception hosted by President David Strangway and University Librarian Ruth Patrick for their production of more than 100 published works indudtng books, compact discs, videos and CD-ROM on everything from Shakespeare to seaweed. April Plans are announced for Open House '95. Taking place Oct. 13-15, the event is expected to attract 250,000 visitors who will experience the best in UBC research, teaching and clinical care. May A radically new Master of Business Administration (MBA) program is approved by Senate. Shorter in length, the program allows students to graduate five months earlier. 10 UBC Reports ■ May 18, 1995 Director Division of Health Care Ethics The Office of the Health Sciences Coordinator is seeking applicants with a strong background in health care ethics to assume the role of Director, Division of Health Care Ethics as of July 1, 1995. The Division supports undergraduate and postgraduate courses in ethics for students, faculty and practitioners within the Health Sciences and related disciplines. The Division is involved in the promotion of health care ethics programs throughout the province and research nationally and internationally. This will be approximately a half-time faculty position for an individual who has experience and expertise in the area of health care ethics and a demonstrated ability in administration, teaching and research. UBC welcomes all qualified applicants, especially women, aboriginal people, visible minorities and persons with disabilities. Please include names of references with your curriculum vitae and forward to: Dr. William A. Webber Coordinator of Health Sciences University of British Columbia #408-2194 Health Sciences Mall Vancouver, B.C. V6T 1Z3 RIT PU Home ofthe Famous UBC Cinnamon Bun! Full Breakfast Menu B.C. Fresh Fruit Bar Non Fat Frozen Yoeurt Cool & Crisp Salad Bar Hot Entree & Grill Custom Omelette Bar Vegetarian Menu Sandwich Deli - & packed to go Delicious Desserts Scooped Ice Cream PACIFIC SPIRIT Espresso andLatte OPEN Monday - Friday 7:00 AM - 2:30 PM 6138 STUDENT UNION MALL in the Student Union Building across from Aquatic 8c UBC Conference Centre GERARD EMANUEL - HAUTE COIFFURE Grand Opening Special 20% off cuts I do not cut your hair right away. First I look at the shape of your face. I want to know what you want, the time you want to spend on your hair, your lifestyle. Once your desires are communicated, my design creativity flourishes into action to leave you feeling great by looking your very best. I use natural products to leave your hair soft and free of chemicals. I work with the best colour technicians in Vancouver. I also specialize in men and women's hair loss. I was trained in Paris and worked for Nexus as a platform artist. I invite you to my recently opened salon in Kitsilano. 3432 W. Broadway 732-4240 Classified The classified advertising rate is $15.75 for 35 words or less. Each additional word is 50 cents. Rate includes GST. Ads must be submitted in writing 10 days before publication date to the UBC Public Affairs Office, 207-6328 Memorial Road, Vancouver, B.C., V6T 1Z2, accompanied by payment in cash, cheque (made out to UBC Reports) or internal requisition. Advertising enquiries: 822-3131. The deadline for the June 15,1995 issue of UBC Reports is noon, June 6. Accommodation POINT GREY GUEST HOUSE A perfect spot to reserve accommodation for guest lecturers or other university members who visit throughout the year. Close to UBC and other Vancouver attractions, a tasteful representation of our city and of UBC. 4103 W. 10th Ave. Vancouver, B.C. V6R2H2. Phone or fax (604) 222-4104. GREEN COLLEGE GUEST HOUSE Located near the Museum of Anthropology, this is an ideal spot forvisitingscholarstoUBC. Guests dine with residents and enjoy college life. Daily rate $50.00, plus $13/dayfor meals Sun. -Thurs. Call 822-8660 for more information and availability. TINA'S GUEST HOUSE Elegant accommodation in Pt. Grey area. Minutes to UBC. On main bus routes. Close to shops and restaurants. Incl. TV, tea and coffee making, private phone and fridge. Single $45, Double $55, weekly rates available. Tel: 222-3461. Fax: 222-9279. KITSILANO DUPLEX for rent: 2 bedrms, solarium, Jacuzzi off master bedrm. South facing private front garden. W/D incl. Avail. July 1/95. $1300/mo. plus util. N/S only and no pets. Call Pat 737-8155. COZY CEDAR GUEST COTTAGE UBC endowment lands. Minutes to UBC/beaches. Offers Vancouver visitors a peaceful alternative. Furnished, fully equipped 1 bedrm and den on beautiful one-acre natural forest setting. N/S. Available July 1 onward. 222-0060. ONE BEDROOM and den, fully furn. with in suite laundry. 10th fl. highrise - across from tennis courts at Central Park, Burnaby. Faces mountains. N/S, no pets. Avail Aug. 1/95-June 1/96. $900/mo. Ross 430-1044. AMERICANS! Rent a lovely 2 bedrm bungalow under market value 30 minutes from Vancouver in sunny Pt. Roberts, Washington. Furn., all appliances, fireplace, woodstove, large grassy yard. Neighbours quiet/friendly. Year/ summer 266-7031. FULLY FURNISHED lovely family home, 4 bedrms, 2 kitchens, large private yard (1 /4 acre). Close to schools, shopping, buses. Cats OK. Avail. July 1/95 - June/96. N/S. $1495/mo. (or $1200 for 3 bedrm/ $450 for 1 bedrm suite). 325-8877. SUNNY TSAWWASSEN Furn. 4 bedrm home, living and dining rm, 3 baths, spacious private yard. Close to schools, bus, ferry, shopping, recreation and beaches. Avail. July/95 (1 year approx.) $1500/mo. 948-0065 (6- 9pm) SUMMER SUBLET 2-3 bedrmfurn. home on Balaclava Park in upper Dunbar area near UBC. Avail. July 1 to Sept. 8. $l,200/mo. Phone Garry 731-4023, Accommodation DUNBAR 4 bedrm and study furn. family home avail. Jan. '96 to Aug. '96. Close to schools, parks, shopping, library, community centre and bus to UBC and downtown, n/s only. Call 732- 4090. GAGE COURT COMPLEX offers summer accommodation In one bedroom suites with kitchenettes. Ideal for visiting professors and seminar groups. Daily rate $56 - $95. Single rooms with shared washrooms $32 per night. Bed and Breakfast packages available at Totem Park Residence May through August $24 per night. For reservations call (604) 822-1010. JERICHO BEACH GUEST HOUSE Ideal accommodation for UBC visitors, close to UBC, reasonable rates. 3780 W. 3rd Ave. Call hosts Ken and Carla Rich at 224-1180. WATERFRONT COTTAGE Looking for a place to finish your research or relax? Cozy waterfront cottage near Penticton, B.C. avail. May and June. $200/wk or $700/mo. Call 263-8904. NEW FURNISHED duplex 2 bedrms and den. Alma and 2nd Ave,, Vancouver. $2100/mo. N/S, no pets. Call Mon.-Fri. 9:30-5:30. 688- 2291. KITSILANO large 1 bedrm suite, top floor. N/S, no pets. References required. $850/mo. June 1. Call 732-3190. H^ifi^ing"griitfyffill' UBC COUPLE with three-year-old child seek 3 or 4 bedrm house for long-term lease. July 1/95. Call 822-4018 or 739-1905. WANTEDTO RENT Professional with family seeks 3 or 4 bedrm home west of Granville St. from July 1. Lease preferred. Non smokers, no pets. Excellent references. Call 263-9080. House Exchange TORONTO Professional couple will exchange 3 bedrm house in central Toronto (Beaches area) for similar in Vancouver, mid-July to mid-Aug./95, dates flexible. 1.5 baths, driveway, close to downtown, lake. Prefer n/s. Call (416)691-5759. House Sitters MATURE RELIABLE person available to care for your pets, plants and belongings while you're away. Live-in basis. June 15 to ? Minimum 1 month. 228- 8825, please leave message. LAW STUDENTS Attention students of various legal disciplines. Freelance sales persons/ distributors required. New concept for the future. Your articling could be more pleasant. Find out now about: RJ MORGAN Legal Protection Plan for individuals, families, business. Fax c.v. to 731-6023 attn. Keon Go. RESEARCH ASSISTANT NEEDED for Dept. of Psychiatry, Mood Disorders Program. Must be university graduate and have experience working on and managing clinical drug trials. Call Arvinder Grewal at 822-7321. Events SEATING SYMPOSIUM 12th International Seating Symposium, March 7-9,'96. Vancouver, BC. Call for Submissions, Deadline: June 1, 1995. Sponsored by: Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children; UBC, Division of Continuing Education in the Health Sciences; University of Pittsburgh, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences; RESNA. For further information, contact: 12th International Seating Symposium, Continuing Education in Health Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Rm. 105 - 2194 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z3. Tel: (604)822-4965 or Fax:(604) 822-4835. FINANCIAL PLANNING Retirement Income, Deposits, Investment Funds, Life Insurance. Local, independent, personalized service with comprehensive knowledge, Integrating your financial needs to your own personal, professional association, group and government benefit plans. Please call Edwin Jackson BSc, BArch, CIF, 224-3540. Representative of Planvest Pacific Financial Corporation. PARTYLINE Vancouver's best partyline. Ads, jokes, stories and more. Fully automated 24-hour service. Meet new people and make new friends. Free call 257- 0234. The Calendar will appear in the June 15 issue of UBC Reports. The deadline for Calendar submissions is June 6. g*£S& FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1995 OSBORNE QYM, UBC 7:00 PM START RACE #9 OF TIMEXAS1CS SERIES IFOR ALZHEIMEFt BC & BC ATHLETIC* I lOK RUN, 5K RUN/WALK. IK KIDS' RUN Race Director: Teresa Kightuigalc 948-0170 UBC Reports ■ May 18, 1995 11 Forum The liberal arts: Why bother? by Graeme Wynn Graeme Wynn is a professor of Geography and the associate dean of Arts. Between September and April, frequent patrons of the Ponderosa cafeteria noticed an unusually animated seminar in a neighbouring classroom. Ofthe 15 to 18 people gathered there most Tuesday afternoons, a dozen or so were "regulars." Week by week, discussion among them ran its lively course, although no-one appeared to be "in charge" of this group of teachers and learners. Teachers" because two-thirds of them were seconded from schools in the Lower Mainland, and others were members of UBC's faculties of Arts (Alex Globe, English; Elvi Whittaker, Anthropology; and myself from Geography) and Education, (Peter Seixas). "Learners" because they came together in this seminar on New Directions in the Humanities and Social Sciences to share their different perspectives on, and experience in, teaching the humanities and social sciences / studies. Funded by the American Council of Learned Societies, with additional support from participating school districts (Vancouver, Richmond, Surrey and Maple Ridge), the Ministry of Education and UBC, the seminar was part of a larger initiative that involved teachers in school-based teams working in conjunction with their seconded colleagues to develop curriculum materials for use in provincial secondary schools. It was also the first in a series of efforts, co-ordinated by the British Columbia Consortium for the Humanities and Social Sciences, to connect teachers in the schools with university scholarship in these fields, and vice versa. Now, as at the beginning of the project, one might ask "why?" Why discuss new directions? Why bother with humanities and social studies in the schools? Surely the rhetoric of our times is clear about the importance of training students for the workplace and doing so as efficiently (read cheaply) as possible. We require (governments tell us) skills now, with the unspoken, unwritten adjective, marketable, always implicit. What place then for the liberal arts, for engagement with literature, the appreciation of art and music, and the study of other times and places, their people, their cultures, and their languages? Are these not dispensable luxuries, irrelevant indulgences we cannot afford? The answer, demonstrated countless times in the New Directions seminar, is a resounding no! New critical and theoretical approaches to scholarship have broadened the horizons of work across the humanities and social sciences, and given them new relevance to what philosopher John Dewey termed the dilemmas and perplexities of our time. Thus, seminar participants heard from Kate Sirluck (English), ofthe ways in which Shakespeare speaks eloquently across the centuries of the concerns of today's young people. Earlier in the year, Harjot Oberoi (Asian Studies) opened up many avenues of discussion about multiculturalism with his reflections on the "brittleness of our textbook classifications" and the ways in which peoples' circumstances might differ from those ascribed to them by others beyond their ethnic or religious group. Likewise, John Willinsky (Centre for the Study of Curriculum and Instruction) urged that the differences between people and place presented in social studies texts be seen, in part, as products of imperial expansion and interdependent development. However, insisted Ed Hundert (History and Arts One), there is still great value in careful consideration of "the best that has been thought and written," for this allows us to approach that "balance of the soul" that Plato saw as "equipping citizens for reasoned discourse about civic life." These and other sessions illustrated that social studies and the humanities are intrinsically about values. Rightly considered, they bring us to consider what values are, and how they affect human behaviour. Learning of this sort is diffuse and personal. It cannot be prescribed. The understanding it yields can hardly be equated with the capacity to fix a dripping faucet:. Yet it is vital in a world aclamour with competing agendas, in which many of society's old moorings have been cut, and ends often seem to justify any means. One of the high points of the year was a weekend workshop on Writing Lives as History and Literature. Inspired by Carol Shields' The Stone Diaries, it revealed — as does that remarkable book — the struggles and triumphs, the disappointments and joys that are woven into even the most ordinary lives. Moving, thought-provoking presentations led participants to think anew about their lives and those of others, punctured hubris, and brought those in attendance to consider how our constructions of the world influence our actions within it. From such experience comes what Benjamin Franklin once described as "the great Aim and End of all learning" — "an inclination joined with the ability to serve" humankind. There can be few more important goals. The UBC women's soccer team narrowly missed its second straight CIAU championship when it lost 5-4 in penalty kicks to Dalhousie. UBC coaches, athletes maintain winning pace by Abe Hefter Staff writer The final score for UBC athletics for the 1994/95 Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union (CIAU) season: two CIAU championships, three Canada West titles, 24 CIAU all-Canadians, 34 Canada West all-stars, three ail-Americans and four coach- of-the-year honours. Paced by the national championship performances of the men's soccer team and the women's swim team, UBC athletes once again showed their winning ways this year. The women won their second straight CIAU swim title with Sarah Evanetz leading the way with five gold medals. The men's soccer team blanked Alberta 5-0 SUMMER WW oo CAMPUS RECREATION UBC gfa PHONE 822-2505 FOR BROCHURE "3 < in the CIAU championship final to take its fifth national championship in six years and its ninth overall. The women's soccer team fell 5-4 in penalty kicks to Dalhousie to come within an eyelash of a second straight CIAU championship. Other 1994/95 highlights included: A trip to the CIAU final by the women's basketball team in a season that was stopped short as a result of a dramatic 71 -69 loss to Victoria in the third and deciding game ofthe championship series; A first-place finish by reigning B.C. amateur golf champion Tracey Lipp in the Wyoming State and University of San Francisco invitationals; The resurgence of UBC hockey on the men's side and a resurrection of hockey on the women's side. After a nine-year hiatus, the women won the Division II city championship. A gold-medal performance by slalom skier Mark Anderson at the U.S. Western Regional Championships; Gold-medal performances by Lori Durward (1,000m, 1,500m, 4X800 relay) and Jeff Schiebler (3,000m) at their respective CIAU track and field championships; Individual performances on the part of swimmer Sarah Evanetz, women's basketball player Adair Duncan and men's basketball player Ken Morris that led to UBC athlete-of-the-year awards. Evanetz and Duncan shared the Marilyn Pomfret Trophy as UBC's most outstanding female athlete. Morris took male athlete-of-the-year honors and the Bobby Gaul Award. 12 UBC Reports • May 18, 1995 Faculty of Law celebrates 50 years by Charles Ker Staff writer When George Curtis, UBC's first dean of law, came to campus from Nova Scotia in August 1945, it was with the understanding that he would have a year to set things up. As it turned out, he had a little less than one month. His acceptance of President Norman Mackenzie's offer to build a law school in western Canada coincided with the end of the war and a subsequent flood of veterans to Point Grey. "No sooner had I sat down than they were banging on my door," said Curtis, 1995 recipient of The Ramon John Hnatyshyn Award for Law. "I tried to tell them to head east because we had nothing but they said they'd prefer to stick it out and take a chance here." Justice Lloyd MacKenzie, former Attorney-General Robert Bonner and B.C. Lt.-Gov. Garde Gardom were among the first class of 86 students whom Curtis lectured in the university drama society's practice theatre located in Brock Hall North. Seven years later, Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent stood at the north end of campus and presided over the official opening of Canada's first building de signed specifically for a faculty of law. As the faculty celebrates its 50th anniversary, the George F. Curtis Building is now home to the second largest common law school in Canada. Each year the school draws 180 students from across the country into its LLB program and about 50 students into its Master's and PhD programs. At the time of Curtis's appointment, time and resources permitted little more than a "bare-bones" selection of coursework and little in the way of faculty research. The faculty was ahead of its time introducing taxation and labour law in 1946. By the late 1960s, which saw first-year enrolment in law double to 236, economic and societal pressures called for a revamping ofthe 23-subject curriculum approved by the Law Society of Upper Canada a decade earlier. At UBC, these changes have resulted in one ofthe broadest legal curricula in the country. Law Dean Lynn Smith says the present national and international character of the student population is a direct result of the breadth and depth of faculty research. Interests among the 44 full-time faculty run the spectrum of juridical categories and pertain to matters of provincial, John Chong photo Graduating student Paul Winn (left). Dean Lynn Smith and founding Dean George Curtis celebrate a half century of legal scholarship on campus. Supreme Court Justice Esson to receive honorary degree The Hon. Justice William Esson, chief justice ofthe Supreme Court of British Columbia, will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws at a special ceremony in October. Esson received his BA and LLB from UBC in 1953 and 1957 respectively. After a distinguished career in the courtroom with the Vancouver firm of Bull, Housser & Tupper, Esson went to the Supreme Court as a Puisne justice in 1979. He was elevated to the B.C. Court of Appeal in 1983 and six years later became chief justice of the Supreme Court, the largest court of superior trial jurisdiction in the province. While at the bar, he was an exemplary practitioner and active participant in the education of young lawyers. On the bench he has written leading judgments and managed the William Esson challenging task of amalgamating the Supreme Court and the County Court of B.C. national and international concern. Legal systems as a whole, as well as particular aspects of legal systems, are investigated and analysed from various theoretical perspectives. Research areas today cover all traditional areas of public and private law as well as new, interdisciplinary fields involving minorities, gays and lesbians, young offenders, senior citizens, victims of sexual assault, prison inmates and people with disabilities, to name a few. While Smith acknowledges that the primary function of law schools remains that of preparing students for legal practice, she believes the public's understanding of what law is, and what makes a good practitioner, has changed. Faculties of law, she asserts, have an obligation to provide a healthy mix of interdisciplinary, comparative and theoretical legal study along with conventional legal scholarship. This requires not only a knowledge of legal doctrine, but also an understanding of the social context in which legal concepts and principles are created, interpreted and applied. Said Smith: "If you're not able to stand back from a body of knowledge and question basic assumptions in an area, then you're not going to be innovative. You may be a faithful craftsperson, but you won't be at the cutting edge." The faculty has hosted a number of events throughout the year to mark the 50th anniversary. Prof. Peter Burns, chair ofthe anniversary committee, points to Oct. 12 - 14 as being particularly notable. A conference on the environment and law takes place Thursday, Oct. 12 with speakers including Maurice Strong, secretary general of the Earth Summit, and Jim MacNeill, secretary general ofthe Brundtland Commission. The following day an honorary Doctor of Laws will be awarded to Chief Justice William Esson of the B.C. Supreme Court at a special ceremony in the Great Hall of the Law Courts. Honorary LLB degrees will also be awarded to members of the legal profession of B.C. who received their legal education in the province before the advent of UBC's Faculty of Law. Coinciding with the university's Homecoming celebrations, the faculty will host an informal lunch-hour reception at the law school on Oct. 14 featuring numerous archival and other displays. A gala banquet follows that evening. Colourful Legacy Michael Zeitlin, an assistant professor of English, and bis son Isaiah Dunne-Zeitlin stop to admire the Brock Hall mural Symbols for Education. The mural was a gift to the university from the graduating class of 1958. Assembled by Lionel Thomas, a distinguished artist and UBC architecture professor, the huge mural, only a portion of which is shown here, took two years to complete. Each symbol, made of Italian coloured glass inlaid in cement, represents a discipline taught at UBC. For example, seen here in the foreground is a wheel representing mechanical engineering, electrons for electrical engineering, a cellular chain reaction for chemistry and chemical engineering, a mine shaft for mining and a mould for metallurgy. John Chong photo