1985 Saint John Spring Convocation
Scott, William Beverley
Doctor of Science (D.Sc.)
Orator: Logan, Alan
Citation:
CONVOCATION, MAY, 1985
WILLIAM BEVERLEY SCOTT
to be Doctor of Science
In honoring Bev Scott today, the University pays tribute to that relatively rare individual who is both a scholar and a gentleman. On the one hand he is an eminent scientist in the field of ichthyology, on the other he is liked and trusted by all who know and work with him and belies that old maxim that "nice guys always finish last."
Born and raised in Toronto, Bev Scott received his early university education at the University of Toronto, obtaining a doctorate in Zoology in 1950. Then began his long association with the Royal Ontario Museum and in particular the Department of Ichthyology and Herpetology, culminating in his appointment as Associate Director in 1973. During these years Bev developed his life-long passion for Canadian fresh-water fishes and later for temperate and tropical marine fishes of the Western Atlantic. He authored numerous scientific papers and several books, including Freshwater Fishes of Canada and Fishes of the Atlantic Coast of Canada which are acknowledged classics in the annals of ichthyology. His ancillary interests in teaching and education were fostered through a cross-appointment in the Zoology Department at the University of Toronto, where he rose through the ranks to become Professor of Zoology in 1968. Upon his retirement the title of Professor Emeritus was bestowed on him in 1983.
In yet another cross-appointment Bev Scott forsook the bright lights of the city in 1976 to become Executive Director of the Huntsman Marine Laboratory in St. Andrews, a position he held until 1982. Bev found that his life-long interests in research and education could now be happily combined and it was during his reign at HML that many joint ventures with U.N.B. were initiated which greatly enriched our teaching and research programmes. In 1982 he became the HML’s first Senior Scientist, a position he still holds.
In recognition of his scientific achievements, Dr. Scott was awarded the Canadian Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977 and made a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1983.
For Bev Scott there is no such thing as compromise in academic excellence. He has little time for those who will not shoulder their share of the exacting but unglamorous work in taxonomy which is so important in our understanding of phylogenetic relationships. His years with the Royal Ontario Museum have taught him the value of properly curated and maintained scientific collections. He is constantly vigilant against "house-cleaning" by government establishments. Presently the basement of his home is packed with boxes of fish scales, which he rescued from imminent destruction at the hands of the Federal Department of Fisheries. Happily, this invaluable collection will soon find a new home in the N.B. Museum, much to the relief of the St. Andrews Fire Marshall.
To Bev Scott’s many friends, today is a joyful occasion. It is good to know that this Upper Canadian has had the foresight to make his home here in New Brunswick and the University take great pleasure in bestowing on him the degree of Doctor of Science.
Insignissime Praeses, tota Universitas, praesento vobis Guilielmum Beverley Scott ut admittatur honoris causa ad gradem Doctoris in Scientia in hac Universitate.
From: Honoris Causa - UA Case 70, Box 2
WILLIAM BEVERLEY SCOTT
to be Doctor of Science
In honoring Bev Scott today, the University pays tribute to that relatively rare individual who is both a scholar and a gentleman. On the one hand he is an eminent scientist in the field of ichthyology, on the other he is liked and trusted by all who know and work with him and belies that old maxim that "nice guys always finish last."
Born and raised in Toronto, Bev Scott received his early university education at the University of Toronto, obtaining a doctorate in Zoology in 1950. Then began his long association with the Royal Ontario Museum and in particular the Department of Ichthyology and Herpetology, culminating in his appointment as Associate Director in 1973. During these years Bev developed his life-long passion for Canadian fresh-water fishes and later for temperate and tropical marine fishes of the Western Atlantic. He authored numerous scientific papers and several books, including Freshwater Fishes of Canada and Fishes of the Atlantic Coast of Canada which are acknowledged classics in the annals of ichthyology. His ancillary interests in teaching and education were fostered through a cross-appointment in the Zoology Department at the University of Toronto, where he rose through the ranks to become Professor of Zoology in 1968. Upon his retirement the title of Professor Emeritus was bestowed on him in 1983.
In yet another cross-appointment Bev Scott forsook the bright lights of the city in 1976 to become Executive Director of the Huntsman Marine Laboratory in St. Andrews, a position he held until 1982. Bev found that his life-long interests in research and education could now be happily combined and it was during his reign at HML that many joint ventures with U.N.B. were initiated which greatly enriched our teaching and research programmes. In 1982 he became the HML’s first Senior Scientist, a position he still holds.
In recognition of his scientific achievements, Dr. Scott was awarded the Canadian Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977 and made a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1983.
For Bev Scott there is no such thing as compromise in academic excellence. He has little time for those who will not shoulder their share of the exacting but unglamorous work in taxonomy which is so important in our understanding of phylogenetic relationships. His years with the Royal Ontario Museum have taught him the value of properly curated and maintained scientific collections. He is constantly vigilant against "house-cleaning" by government establishments. Presently the basement of his home is packed with boxes of fish scales, which he rescued from imminent destruction at the hands of the Federal Department of Fisheries. Happily, this invaluable collection will soon find a new home in the N.B. Museum, much to the relief of the St. Andrews Fire Marshall.
To Bev Scott’s many friends, today is a joyful occasion. It is good to know that this Upper Canadian has had the foresight to make his home here in New Brunswick and the University take great pleasure in bestowing on him the degree of Doctor of Science.
Insignissime Praeses, tota Universitas, praesento vobis Guilielmum Beverley Scott ut admittatur honoris causa ad gradem Doctoris in Scientia in hac Universitate.
From: Honoris Causa - UA Case 70, Box 2
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