Baird, Muriel Farris

ENCAENIA, MAY, 1979
MURIEL FARRIS BAIRD
to be Doctor of Laws

It is my happy lot to be the presenter of one, already twice a graduate of UNB, who has honoured the University through many years of devoted voluntary service.

When she first graduated, the Yearbook said of her; "When asked about her future she gave quite vague, indefinite answers, but we really think she prefers farming to anything else". This must surely rank among the least apt Yearbook entries of all time. She was nineteen years of age and returned to her native Queen's County to teach school. Her success as a teacher and her grasp of human relationships soon led to a position in one of the largest high schools in the province. Her next career was that of wife and mother and then, with her children guided to maturity, she returned to teaching, and to study, earning a Bachelor of Education degree three years before her retirement.

It was a fortunate day for Fredericton when the Bairds moved here from Scotland where they had spent the years of World War II. Muriel Baird's dedication to people has enriched the life of this community again and again, providing manifold evidence of the benefits of a strong spirit of voluntaryism in society.

Around the Baird's family table, generations of students and former students have found food and fellowship.

Taking on a succession of challenging and difficult offices in philanthropic and service organizations, she was concerned first of all to provide facilities for youth, and worked in endless committees, councils and festivals to improve the level of performance and appreciation in music, sports, drama and art.

Among her many contributions to her alma mater the most moving came when, as President of the Associated Alumnae, she and those "most loyal of the supporters of UNB", established our first women's residence, The Maggie Jean Chestnut Residence, in 1949. "During the first difficult years", reads a report from some of her colleagues, Muriel Baird "was always available to help solve problems -- whether counselling the girls, looking after the staff, or even planning menus".

At this time she became a friend of Lord Beaverbrook, becoming one of the "Three Graces" -- the name he gave to three distinguished and charming Fredericton ladies -- who helped in planning and organizing the Art Gallery and the Playhouse in later years. Lord Beaverbrook donated the building for the Maggie Jean, but he was a canny Scots giver who took care to ensure that charity did not weaken the characters of the recipients. The house was given, but the Alumnae were required to renovate and furnish it. When the ladies decided that the Barn would provide a fine extension to the Residence, he told an Alumnae Meeting, "Go out and borrow the money and if you get into difficulties, then come to me". More bake sales, more scrimping and saving and giving and the Maggie Jean was completed by the Alumnae.

This is the International Year of the Child. lf I may quote her friends again: Muriel Baird "makes every year the year for our children and young people. Mother of three, grandmother of seven, and teacher of many, she is truly a distinguished lady".

Insignissime Praeses, tota Universitas, praesento vobis Muriel Farris Baird ut admittatur honoris causa ad gradum Doctoris in Utroque Jure in hac Universitate.

From: Honoris Causa - UA Case 70, Box 2