Bishop's University

Coordinates: 45°22′0.16″N 71°50′43.67″W / 45.3667111°N 71.8454639°W / 45.3667111; -71.8454639

Bishop's University
Université Bishop's  (French)
Motto Recti cultus pectora roborant  (Latin)
Motto in English
Sound learning strengthens the spirit
Established 1843[1]
Affiliation Non-denominational
Endowment C$ 32.5 million[2]
Chancellor Brian Levitt
Principal Michael Goldbloom
Students 2,756[3]
Undergraduates 2,404 full-time students
352 part-time students[3]
Location Sherbrooke (Lennoxville), Quebec, Canada
Campus Rural: 550 acres (220 ha)[4]
Colours Purple and White          
Nickname Bishop's Gaiters
Mascot Alligator
Affiliations AUCC, IAU, QSSF, CBIE, CUP.
Website http://www.ubishops.ca

Bishop's University is a predominantly undergraduate university in Lennoxville, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada. Bishop's is one of three universities in the province of Quebec that teach primarily in English (the others being McGill University and Concordia University, both in Montreal). The university shares a campus with its neighbour, Champlain College Lennoxville, an English-language public college. It remains one of Canada's few primarily undergraduate universities. Established in 1843 as Bishop's College and affiliated with the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge in 1853, the school remained under the Anglican church's direction from its founding until 1947. Since that time, the university has been a non-denominational institution.[5] Bishop's University has graduated fifteen Rhodes Scholars.[6]

History

Bishop's College was established by Bishop George Jehoshaphat Mountain on December 9, 1843, in Lennoxville, Quebec, for the education of members of the Church of England and erected into a university in 1853.[7] The school was originally founded by Bishop Mountain, the third Anglican bishop of Quebec as a liberal arts college.[8] In 1845, instruction began, and in 1854, the first degrees were granted.[9] The first principal of the college was Bishop Mountain's nephew.

It was designated as a university granting degrees in divinity, law, and medicine on January 28, 1852.[10] An act of the Quebec Legislative Assembly ratified its foundation.

In 1853, it was established as a university by royal charter bearing the name University of Bishop's College. "Lennoxville: Bishop's College, Province of Quebec.". Canada Farmer (Toronto) 5 (17): 161. April 27, 1872.  Its charter empowered the University to grant degrees in theology, law, medicine, and fine arts. Women were admitted to the university's faculty of medicine in 1890.[10]

James Nelson (Architect) of Nelson & Ballard rebuilt Bishop's College after a fire, 1877-78.[11]

The Church of England controlled the university until 1947.[9] Since 1947, a corporation and appointed trustees have been responsible for its business affairs. A senate have dealt with academic matters.[9]

The governance was modeled on the provincial University of Toronto Act of 1906 which established a bicameral system of university government consisting of a senate (faculty), responsible for academic policy, and a board of governors (citizens) exercising exclusive control over financial policy and having formal authority in all other matters.

The president, appointed by the board, was to perform institutional leadership and provide a link between the senate and the board of governors.[12] In the early part of the twentieth century, professional education expanded beyond the traditional fields of theology, law, and medicine, while graduate training based on the German-inspired American model of specialized course work and the completion of a research thesis was introduced.[12] The policy of university education initiated in the 1960s responded to population pressure and the belief that higher education was a key to social justice and economic productivity for individuals and for society.[5]

Academic programs

Bishop Williams Hall

Primarily undergraduate, Bishop's University also offers graduate courses and M.A. and M.Ed. degrees in education and M.Sc. in computer science and physics. Bishop's offers several programs from five academic divisions:

Each division seeks to provide a well-rounded education for all its students. The average class size as of fall 2004 was 36 in first-year courses and 12 in upper-year courses. Thirty-two percent of the classes offered at Bishop's have ten or fewer students, allowing each person's voice to be heard.

In 2004, Bishop’s joined the Université de Sherbrooke in creating SIXtron, a joint spin-off of technology based in Montreal which is focused on developing highly scalable and cost-effective, amorphous silicon carbide (SiC)-based thin film coatings for the solar industry.[13] In the fall of 2007 the university announced a strategic research plan which will position “Research and Creativity” as a central focus for the University’s future development, making Bishop's unique among Canadian undergraduate institutions.[14]

In 2009, the Psychological Health and Well-Being Laboratory was founded as an initiative to produce and share knowledge regarding how to enhance the psychological health and well-being of individuals and the communities that they live in. The research cluster is headed by Dr. Fuschia Sirois.[15]

As of 2009, Bishop’s has 1854 full-time students. The student body represents every Canadian province and territory along with 18 U.S. states and more than 50 countries.[4]

Williams School of Business

The Williams School of Business is the business school at Bishop's University. It is accredited under the Network of International Business Schools (NIBS) and claims multiple first place victories in international business case competitions.[16][17] It offers courses through a bachelor of business administration (BBA) or bachelor of arts (BA) major in business. A cooperative education program is also offered.[17] Approximately 25% of Bishop's University students are enrolled in the Williams School of Business.[3]

The Williams School of Business offers the following concentrations under the BBA:[17]

Campus

The Bishop's campus is located on 500 acres (200 ha) of land at the junction of the St. Francis and Massawippi rivers in the Eastern Townships region of Quebec. The site of Bishop's College, a grassy knoll at the confluence of two rivers, provided a natural setting where architecture would be viewed as an integral but subsidiary part of the scenic vista.[18] Known as 'Oxford on the Massawippi' for its architectural style, the campus is significantly influenced by the Gothic Revival period and is home to some of Quebec's most historic buildings, including St. Mark's chapel.[19] Construction on campus began with "Old Arts" in 1846 and continues today with the University's most recent building, Paterson Hall, in 2003. The campus also provided the setting for the films Lost and Delirious (2001)[20] and The Covenant (2006).[21]

McGreer Hall

McGreer Hall

McGreer Hall is named in honour of Arthur Huffman McGreer (1883–1947), Principal from 1922 to 1947. Under his leadership, the curriculum in Arts was greatly strengthened, teaching in experimental science was initiated, enrolment was doubled and financial stability and academic autonomy achieved. The original central five bays of the Hall were constructed in 1846, and the Lodge at the west end was added in 1847 as the residence of the first Principal. Following the fire of 1876 which gutted the central block, the Hall was rebuilt with improved facilities, and in 1898, thanks to a fund established in memory of Robert Hamilton, it became possible to extend the third floor from the Lodge to the ante-chapel and to add the central tower. In 1908 the Lodge was converted to student and faculty use and in 1909 the Library wing was added.[22]

Bishop Williams Hall

James William Williams (1825–1892) was appointed headmaster of Bishop's College School in 1857. In 1863 he was consecrated 4th Anglican bishop of Québec. He participated vigorously in the development of the Protestant public school system in Québec and collaborated with Sir Alexander Galt in drawing up Section 93 of the British North American Act which conferred upon Parliament the responsibility of protecting the educational rights of minorities. The original hall was built in 1891 from the proceeds of a subscription raised by BCS old boys to mark the 25th anniversary of Bishop Williams' consecration. It was destroyed by fire later that year, and rebuilt in 1892. It now serves as a lecture and presentation hall.

Bandeen Hall

Bandeen Hall was built as a gymnasium for undergraduates and the boys of Bishop's College School. In 1950, the North-facing main door was replaced by the large bay window and the room became the dining-hall for the Norton-Pollack residence complex. From 1971 onward, all meals were served in Dewhurst Hall, and the room again passed into general use, serving in particular as the undergraduate Pub, until Memorial House was converted for that purpose. In 1977, temporary studios for the Fine Arts departments of Champlain College and the University were installed in the hall and adjacent kitchen and storage areas. In 1990, as a result of the success of the Learning for Life campaign, these areas were converted into classrooms, studios and offices for the University's Music department, and the hall was converted into a concert hall, which was named for the late Robert A. Bandeen, Chancellor of the University from 1981 to 1987, and his wife, Mona Blair Bandeen, generous benefactors of music at Bishop's.[22]

Centennial Theatre

As a performing arts centre, Centennial Theatre has played a significant role in the cultural life of the Eastern Townships region over the past 40 years. The theatre, inaugurated on January 14, 1967, was designed to bring together artists and audiences in an atmosphere of visual intimacy and acoustic excellence. This superb theatrical environment is achieved by recreating the wide auditorium sweep reminiscent of Greek amphitheatres; with a capacity of 549, Centennial Theatre provides actors, dancers and musicians with a significant audience, while maintaining a close relationship of auditorium to stage. The Italian stage house, with proscenium and flies, is extended forward in an open stage concept by means of an apron elevator. The many configurations made possible by this system have created surprising flexibility on stage. Built at first to serve the needs of the Drama Department, the opening of the theatre was the dream come true of many students and professors, particularly of Arthur Motyer, who was then the Director of the University Dramatic Society. In 1975, Bishop’s University and Champlain College launched the first cultural season at Centennial Theatre. The Cultural Series, as it was called then, included classical music, dance, mime, theatre and jazz. Centennial Theatre’s mandate has always been to present high quality concerts and shows from the many fields of the performing arts. The theatre has presented Al di Meola, Christopher Plummer and Natalie MacMaster. Through the years, special efforts have been made to serve the English population of the Eastern Townships. In 1989, film series were offered to better serve the surrounding population.

Today, Centennial Theatre has its own administrative structure, including the Programming Director who, with the help of a programming committee, books a complete season, bringing renowned artists from all over the world to the theatre. Among the many groups presented during the past years one can count pianist Marc-André Hamelin, dancer Margie Gillis, dance companies O Vertigo and Marie Chouinard, the Penderecki and Keller Quartets, I Musici de Montréal, South African Johnny Clegg and Savuka, jazz vibraphonist Gary Burton, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, and many, many more. Centennial Theatre is also equipped with a 35mm projector, which allows for the presentation of films in their original version. In 1992, Centennial Theatre inaugurated the newly renovated lobby, box office and offices by presenting the premiere of the film "City of Joy," with special guests from the cast and crew. The final renovations were completed in 2006.[23]

Old Library and Archives

Old Library

Originally added to McGreer Hall in 1909 to serve as the University Library, it was converted into office space during the 1970s. In 1939 renovations to the historic McGreer Hall included the complete renovation and restoration of the library wing, which had over the years been subdivided into 2 floors and the magnificent wooden ceiling was covered by tiles. Work on the library wing was completed in time for the Sesquicentennial celebrations in 1993-1994, which culminated in a sherry reception for the Governor-General in the newly restored library wing, now known by its former name as the Old Library. The Old Library serves as the centre for the University Archives housing official records of, or relating to, or people/activities connected with Bishop's University and special volumes concerning Bishop's University. The Old Library houses the Eastern Townships Research Centre which has been accredited by Quebec's ministère de la Culture et des Communications since 1991. The Eastern Townships Research Centre archival collection consists of books, genealogical information, documents, photographs, postcards, maps, plans, and audio-visual material.[24] Used year-round by faculty and students, the room is especially popular during the summer months when people from across Canada and increasingly the U.S. come to research their genealogy. The room is also used throughout the academic year for lectures, receptions and other special events. The room may also be used simply as a study hall, a quiet place for all students.[22]

John Bassett Memorial Library

The John Bassett Memorial Library provides study and research support for the students and faculty of both Bishop's University and Champlain College, Lennoxville Campus. The present building, built in 1959, and expanded in 1970 and 1990, accommodates over 610 users, with seminar rooms for group study. The Library's holdings are over 598,000 items, including books, microforms, and audio-visual materials, as well as those of the approximately 19,550 periodical titles including online periodicals, are accessed through the online catalogue BORIS (Bishop's Online Retrieval and Information System). Research and study are further supported by collections of Canadian Government documents, and Maps. In-house resources are augmented by an Inter-Library Loan network.

Art Gallery

Bishop's University houses the Foreman Art Gallery, which exhibits contemporary and historical painting, sculpture, mixed media, installation, video and films by students, faculty, Canadian and international artists. Hung throughout the buildings on campus, the collection consists of 150 works, many by 19th- and 20th-century Canadian artists.[25]

Nicolls Building

The Nicolls Building is named in honour of the Reverend Jasper Hume Nicolls (1818–1877). In 1845, Nicolls was appointed first principal of Bishop's College. He was raised in the city of Québec and graduated Bachelor of Arts from Oriel College in the University of Oxford. He was a Fellow of Queen's College, Oxford when he was appointed to his position here. In 1853, along with Bishop Mountain, he was instrumental in obtaining the royal charter which raised the college to the status of a university. Located on the roof of the Nicolls building, the observatory is a very recent addition to Bishop's University. The observatory houses a Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope and is also open to the public.[26]

Old Lennoxville Golf Club

Old Lennoxville Golf Club

The Bishop's campus uniquely features a golf course and club: The Old Lennoxville Golf Club. The club was founded by Bishop's University and received a charter from the Royal Canadian Golf Association in the year 1897. There are four golf clubs that pre-exist Lennoxville in the RCGA. They are: Royal Montreal founded in 1873; Royal Quebec founded in 1874; Murray Bay founded in 1876; and Royal Ottawa founded in 1891. In 1963, the Directors of the Lennoxville Golf Club founded and constructed the "Milby" course. Owned and operated by the Lennoxville Golf Club, the directors continued to operate both clubs under the umbrella of "the Lennoxville Golf Club" until 1975. The two different locations were being referred to as the Lennoxville Golf Club (Milby Course) and the Lennoxville Golf Club (the Old Course), thus the present name of the "Old Lennoxville Golf Club" was established. The course remains one of the oldest in Canada.[27]

St. Mark's Chapel

St. Mark’s Chapel was consecrated in 1857 by George Jehoshaphat Mountain. St. Mark’s is in the Perpendicular Gothic style, prevalent in England during the Tudor period. The façade, with its fenestration, string course and buttresses, shows the influence of the 13th century’s formal architecture vocabulary. The ogival windows, twinned on the long side and in groups of three on the West façade, repeat the same arrangement which can be seen in Salisbury Cathedral. The entrance door, adorned with an ogival arch, is like that of Eton College in Windsor or Trinity College, Cambridge. The Chapel was almost completely destroyed by fire in 1891. The Corporation decided to rebuild it on the same site, as a memorial to Principal Nicholls, and during the next six years the superb interior furniture and panelling was completed by the Sherbrooke cabinet-making firm of George Long. Much of the finer carving is thought to have been the work of his assistant, Georges Bélanger. Made of beautifully crafted Eastern Townships ash, the interior of the chapel is most remarkable for the exquisite quality of the wood sculptures. Carefully maintained and beautifully preserved, St. Mark's Chapel was declared Cultural Property by the Quebec Ministere des Affaires culturelles in 1989.[28]

Student societies

Bishop's University has 1 Sorority, 1 Women's Fraternity, and 1 Fraternity.

School spirit

Students are known for their strong affinity towards the university especially during sports games. A popular spot for social gatherings is the nearby Golden Lion Pub. In 2005, the CBC's Rick Mercer Report named it the best student pub in Canada.[29]

Athletics

The Bishop's University teams are known as the Bishop's Gaiters and compete in the CIS. Although their logo and mascot suggest the term stems from the word alligator, "Gaiter" actually refers to a leg covering worn by Anglican bishops up until the middle of the 20th century. The Gaiters are represented by seven varsity teams (Football, Men's & Women's Basketball, Men's & Women's Rugby, Women's Soccer, and Golf) and four club teams (Men's Lacrosse, Women's Hockey, Men's Hockey, Men's Soccer). The Bishop's Gaiters have a long history with the university. The early days were marked by massive participation in team sports such as cricket and football. Rugby football began in 1888 and Canadian football was a budding varsity sport by the 1930s. The Gaiters football team's home stadium is Coulter Field which is also used as a practice facility by the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.

In football, the Gaiters have made five appearances in CIS semifinal bowls, most recently the 1994 Churchill Bowl. In basketball, the Gaiters won women's national championships in 1982-83 and 1983–84 and the men's national championship in 1997-98. For both genders, the Gaiters are the last Quebec-based school to win a national championship.

There are currently nine former Bishop's football players in the CFL: Adrian Clarke,[30] Stephen Adekolu,[30] Shawn Gore,[30] Jamall Lee, James Yurichuk, Dan McCullough, Tim Cronk (all with the British Columbia Lions), Junior Turner, Justin Conn (both with the Calgary Stampeders), Mathieu Boulay (Winnipeg Blue Bombers), and Kyle Jones (Hamilton Tiger-Cats).

School song

At both home and away athletic competitions, BU students can be heard singing their school fight song or alma mater. Bishop’s official school song, “Alma Mater,” was written in 1937 and continues to be a favorite. In 1964, however, the lyrics “Drink a toast to Bishop’s University” were written by John Piper, Douglas Tees, Ace Henderson and John Martland as part of the musical comedy, “The Grate Escape,” performed by the Bishop’s choir. The tune stuck and has become the beloved unofficial song of the university. In practice however, the second line of the second verse is changed to a more vulgar and humorous version.[31]

Raise a toast to Bishop's University

On the mighty Massiwippi shore!
We're conditioned to our fate,
We will never graduate,
We will stay here forever more!

College days will linger ever in our hearts,
Wearing gowns, raising hell and quaffing ale!
And we'll show esprit de corps
As we watch the Gaiters roar
On to victory!

So raise your beer mugs,
And your little brown jugs
To Bishop's University!

Charities

Bishop's University was registered as a charitable organization in Canada on 1967-01-01. The primary areas in which the charity is now carrying on programs to achieve its charitable purposes, ranked according to the percentage of time and resources devoted to each program area follow:

The charity carried on charitable programs to further its charitable purpose(s) (as defined in its governing documents) this fiscal period:

Bishop's University Foundation 118810787RR0001 was registered as a charitable organization in Canada on 1971-05-11. The primary areas in which the charity is now carrying on programs to achieve its charitable purposes, ranked according to the percentage of time and resources devoted to each program area follow:

The charity carried on charitable programs to further its charitable purpose(s) (as defined in its governing documents) this fiscal period:

Legacy

On 28 January 2003, Canada Post issued the Bishop's University, 1853-2003 stamp as part of its Canadian Universities series. Based on a photograph by Guy Lavigueur and designed by Denis L'Allier, the 48¢ stamps are perforated 13.5 and printed by the Canadian Bank Note Company.[33]

Chancellors of Bishop’s University

Principals of Bishop's University

Notable former students and alumni

See also

References

  1. Bishop's University. "BU at a glance". Retrieved 2008-05-16.
  2. "Bishop's University School Facilities". Peterson's. Retrieved 2011-10-26.
  3. 1 2 3 Bishop's University. "BU Facts and Figures.". Retrieved 2013-09-14.
  4. 1 2 .Where is the link?
  5. 1 2 The Canadian Encyclopedia Archived August 21, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
  6. Bishop's Old Library
  7. The Project Gutenberg EBook #6466 of 'The Intellectual Development of the Canadian People, A Historical Review' by John George Bourinot, House of Commons, Ottawa, February 17th, 1881
  8. 1 2 3 Bishop's University
  9. 1 2 Pound, Richard W. (2005). 'Fitzhenry and Whiteside Book of Canadian Facts and Dates'. Fitzhenry and Whiteside.
  10. James Nelson (Architect)
  11. 1 2 http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0008242
  12. http://www.ubishops.ca/research/spin-off.htm
  13. Bishop's University - Research Office - Strategic Research Plan
  14. http://www.ubishops.ca/phwbcluster/
  15. "Member Schools". Network of International Business Schools (NIBS). 2011. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  16. 1 2 3 "Williams School of Business". Bishop's University. 2011. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  17. Anna M. Grant, A Portrait of Bishop's University (Lennoxville: Bishop's University, 1994), p.14
  18. MacLeans 2009 Guide to Canadian Universities, p.82.
  19. Lost and Delirious (2001) - Filming locations
  20. The Covenant (2006) - Filming locations
  21. 1 2 3 http://www.ubishops.ca/library_info/buildings.html
  22. http://www.ubishops.ca/centennial/about.html
  23. Eastern Townships Research Centre
  24. Foreman Art Gallery
  25. "BU Observatory". Physics.ubishops.ca. 2006-10-28. Retrieved 2012-01-02.
  26. "Club de Golf Lennoxville — History". Ubishops.ca. Retrieved 2012-01-02.
  27. http://www.ubishops.ca/chapel/history.html
  28. our_story
  29. 1 2 3 http://www.bclions.com/roster/index/team/1
  30. Raise a toast!
  31. 1 2 http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/chrts-gvng/lstngs/menu-eng.html Canada Revenue Agency Charities listing
  32. Canada Post 'Bishop's University, 1853-2003'

Further reading

External links

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