I Remember Laurier

Reflections by Retirees on Life at WLU

by Harold Remus, edited by Rose Blackmore & Boyd McDonald

tagged: personal memoirs, history, educators

Description

I Remember Laurier is the story—actually, thirty-seven stories—of the little university that could, told by some of those who devoted themselves to transforming the school from its modest beginnings into a superb small liberal arts college, and in turn to the university whose growth, diversification, research, and partnerships characterize it today.

Although the stories are diverse in content, viewpoint, and tone, readers will note a number of unifying themes, one being nostalgia for a small university where faculty, staff, and students were close and new initiatives were readily approved and easily implemented. Here too are reflections, sometimes bemused and sprinkled with humour, on professors, administrators, and students, the “Laurier Experience,” and significant events such as “WLU” becoming “WLU” (Waterloo Lutheran University was renamed Wilfrid Laurier University in 1973). Evident throughout is the pride of the contributors in the development of the university to its current status and in having played a role.

In the photo album at the back of the book readers will find vintage prints of the authors and of many others mentioned in the book. More photos will soon be available on the website of the Wilfrid Laurier Retirees’ Association: http://www.wlu.ca/retirees.

About the Authors

Harold Remus

General editor Harold Remus, professor emeritus, Wilfrid Laurier University, is the former executive officer of the Council on the Study of Religion and the former director of Wilfrid Laurier University Press. He is past president of the Canadian Society of Biblical Studies and the founding managing editor of Religious Studies Review. His publications include "Pagan-Christian Conflict over Miracle in the Second Century," "Jesus as Healer," and various articles in scholarly journals and encyclopedias.

Rose Blackmore worked as a social worker with the Ontario Department of Public Welfare and as a field instructor for social work students from the Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto. After ten years in this dual role, she was named assistant director of Staff Training and Development and became aware of the new school of social work being established at Waterloo Lutheran University with an emphasis on field practica for the students. Hired to head a practicum unit of students, she joined Waterloo Lutheran University in 1970 and retired from Wilfrid Laurier University in 1993.

Boyd McDonald, pianist and composer, made his New York debut in 1963. He joined the Faculty of Music at Wilfrid Laurier University as a member of the Beckett and McDonald Piano Duo in 1976. His compositions have been played by orchestras in Kitchener, Vancouver, and Hamilton. McDonald has recorded with the Canadian Chamber Ensemble, The Streicher Ensemble, Bellows & Brass, Willem Moolenbeek, and Sylvia Tyson.

Editorial Review

''The great author Virginia Woolf said that ‘Each has his past shut in him like the leaves of a book known to him by heart and his friends can only read the title.’ This volume is a wonderfully welcome attempt to ensure that the leaves of the book of Wilfrid Laurier University are read by many. Intimate and highly personal glimpses into the soul of an institution are relatively rare. Here, and in celebration of the centennial of the university, are glimpses to remind us both that our future springs from our past and that our past is a rich and strong foundation on which to build. The vignettes presented in this book are a wonderful read—enjoy!''

— Max Blouw

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