President's Address

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT (27 May 1982 - UA RG 285, Box 1, File 3)

It is a happy coincidence, if indeed it is a coincidence, that our Encaenia celebrations should take place each year on or around the birthdate of Lord Beaverbrook, which was May 25th. Few people anywhere have ever taken a keener, more abiding interest in a university - or given better proof of that interest - than Lord Beaverbrook. It was an interest that extended to every aspect of the University's operations; to its faculty, staff, and students; to its traditions and customs; and, often, to a level of detail astonishing for someone who played such a role on the world stage of business and politics. A story related to me by Dr. Albert Trueman, President of UNB from 1948 to 1953, will illustrate.

During Dr. Trueman's presidency it was decided that an extension to the library was needed. Lord Beaverbrook provided most if not all of the funding for this project, as well as the money to purchase the one thousand or so books that would go on the new shelves. Lord Baverbrook was never content to give his money and then let others look after the details of its spending; he insisted on being involved in the planning and the execution of his beneficences. On this occasion he asked to see the list of the thousand or so books and, having gone through it item by item, he struck off two. One was a book by the American Communist, Earl Browder, not - as he put it - because Browder was a Communist, but because he was a 'damn fool Communist'. The other book he struck from the list was a collection of poems by John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester, the 17th Century poet of prurient verse, because, Lord Beaverbrook said, he didn't wish 'the morals of the youth of New Brunswick corrupted by such salacious material.' thus it was that the students of the University of New Brunswick were preserved from Communism and saved from sin.

That interest and support for UNB continued when, after the death of Lord Beaverbrook in 1964, his son Sir Max Aitken succeeded him as Chancellor. From 1966 until his health failed him a decade later, Sir Max was an invigorating presence at Encaenial events, and a supportive Chancellor in every important sense. This building, the Aitken Centre, so important to the social, recreational, and cultural life of UNB and Fredericton, is only the most conspicuous example of Sir Max's support and that of the Beaverbrook Canadian Foundation. It is a matter of regret to all of us at UNB that ill health has made it necessary for Sir Max to step down as Chancellor.

It is, however, a matter of great pleasure and satisfaction that the ties between this University and the Aitken family will be preserved and strengthened by the installation today of Lady Violet Aitken as our new Chancellor. She has already given proof of her own interest in UNB, as she has of her gracious warmth as a person. We rejoice in her appointment and we welcome the unique style and grace that she will bring to this office.

On this your first Encaenia, Madam Chancellor, I am pleased to report that the University of New Brunswick, though not unaffected by the economic duress that has befallen our province and nation, continues to perform with vigour and distinction its twin tasks of instruction and research. And in these tasks we continue to receive support and encouragement from many quarters - from government, the private sector, alumni, and friends. Not all the support we would like, mind you, nor all the support we could make fruitful use of, but enough to make us feel that the value of what we do is acknowledged and appreciated.

And we continue to change and adapt to ensure that we respond to the legitimate needs of our society as they arise. The charge sometimes levelled at universities that they are not responding to the highly qualified labour needs of the country is simply not true of UNB. I could cite dozens of examples in faculties across the University where new incentives are being taken. If I mention specifically the fields of computer science and business administration it is only because these are two of the fields most frequently mentioned when the charge I have just referred to is made.

Ten years ago UNB had 3 students registered in computer science; this year we have 350 on the Fredericton campus and 50 in Saint John; next year we'll have close to 500 and, within two to three years, 700. The Senate and Board of UNB have just approved a co-operative study/work program in computer science for students who wish to alternate study terms at university with work terms in industry where they will have an opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge they are learning.

The expansion of our Business Administration program has been almost as remarkable. Ten year ago Business Administration was a smallish department within the Faculty of Arts. Today, measured by the number of students enrolled in its degree program, the Faculty of Administration is the largest faculty on campus, with more than twelve hundred students.

I cite these facts not to claim we are unique among universities, for in this respect we certainly are not; still less do I wish to boast. My intention is merely to indicate the extent to which this University is responding to the new challenges that confront us.

Madam Chancellor, we will continue our efforts to help meet the need for trained mindpower in our society. We will do our part to carry out research that is necessary for the development of our region, our country, and the economy. We are mindful of our responsibility to be hard-edged and relevant. But we will not forget that we have another fundamental role to play. The business corporation exists to produce and distribute goods and services; governments exist to protect the public good; churches seek to foster spiritual belief and moral values; in the arts we have vehicles for the liberation of the imagination. Only universities exist to provide a critical and systematic commentary upon society - its goals, its beliefs, its values. To do this we must teach our students to reason independently, to be properly sceptical, to exercise moral and intellectual judgement, to make exact and responsible use of evidence. To the extent that we succeed in this role, to the extent we are permitted to succeed, to that extent we effect salutary changes in the social order and provide an antidote to repression and revolution. For this reason, above all others, universities must be supported and left free to strive for excellence in their own individual ways and fields.

And speaking of support, Madam Chancellor, today UNB launches officially a major financial campaign - only its third ever. Appropriately for a University looking ahead to and beyond its bicentennial in 1985, we have called our campaign the Third Century Fund. It is aimed at enriching and enhancing the quality of instruction and research as well as cultural and physical environments at UNB.

We realize that in many ways this is an inauspicious time for such a venture. But the same forces and factors that make it difficult also make it necessary. We do so in the conviction that we can demonstrate the unique value and mission of the University of New Brunswick. We do so in the belief that we can impress others with our own tangible commitment to our cause. We do so with the encouragement and assistance of graduates and friends of UNB across Canada and beyond.

Madam Chancellor, I should like to welcome to this his first UNB Encaenia since taking office His Honour, Lieutentant-Governor Stanley, and Mrs. Stanley. Dr. Stanley, who has made a unique contribution to Canadian self-understanding and pride, is an honorary graduate of UNB. In welcoming you, Your Honour, in your new Viceregal capacity, may we also welcome you back as a colleague and friend.

A little later in the program, Madam Chancellor, we will welcome into the select circle of honoris causa graduates three distinguished sons and a distinguished daughter of New Brunswick. Three of them are already graduates of UNB. The fourth graduated from Fredericton High School, which surely is the next best thing. All four have not only excelled in their chosen professions, they are also people of consummate integrity and modesty. We have basked in the reflected lustre of their achievements; it is time we said thank-you.

Finally, Madam Chancellor, let me express my pride and satisfaction in that other distinguished group of men and women we are graduating today, the group so handsomely spread out before you. Adjacent generations of students are often compared, usually to the disadvantage of the current generation. It is at least one university president's view that for decency, courtesy, maturity, and commitment, the present generation of students is as fine as any he has known. I consider it a distinct honour to have signed the diplomas of those students who will graduate today and a distinct pleasure to present them. On behalf of the Board of Governors and the Senate of UNB I should like to wish them success and happiness.