More Western University Names

  Just over six years ago, Mulcahy's Miscellany provided a list of "Western University Names." The list was my concoction and it came with the suggestion that an official list of the names encountered on campus and its Internet version would be useful. As far as I can tell, that post has received a lot of 'hits', but who knows why, and I am not sure if any of those responsible for the 'hits' have anything to do with Western. The folks at Research Western celebrate the researchers with Heritage Plaques, but perhaps there are others worth considering for inclusion in what I dubbed the, "Western Biographical Register."
  I am visiting this subject again because I pay some attention to Western and notice names mentioned, but which are generally unknown to me and certainly not known to those in the transient student population. For example, there were recently some Duncanson and Clissold Lectures and I am familiar with The J.J. Talman Lecture Series. In such cases one supposes that the person named is either a sponsor or someone being honoured, but who knows?
  Admittedly such a list could be rather unwieldy and these days many are more concerned about removing names than honouring them. Perhaps it is a bad idea but, if not, see my original post and the long list in it and consider adding these. I will quickly provide some information related to these names, but a more enduring and official list should be considered.
  Here is a place to start for the Duncansons: Robert and Patricia Duncanson Lecture Series. With just a little searching, one learns that there is also a Duncanson Chair in Ethics and Techology. 
  For Clissold: “The Clissold Lecture commemorates the life and work of Edward Clissold (1833-1915), one of London's most important early editors and journalists. Edward retired as editor of the London (Ontario) Advertiser after 33 years on staff. A bequest in 1984 from the estate of Clissold's grandson Robert Blount and his wife, Rose, enabled the Graduate School of Journalism to found this annual lecture series to commemorate Clissold's legacy.”
  Although Ronald D. Schmeichel's name will, I am sure, be visible somewhere on or in the new building named after him, a biographical note could be useful and one could start with this article: "$10M Gift Gives Rise to the Ronald D. Schmeichel Building for Entrepreneurship and Innovation," Debora Van Brenk, Western News, May 25, 2022.
  There is also a new, named atrium and it was this recent announcement that led me to consider this subject again. I will declare an interest here, since the next two names are attached to people I know. 
  The Dr. John F. Sangster Atrium honours Dr. Sangster for his "enduring impact on patients, students and family medicine." He was my physician for years and I agree with all the fine things said about him in the article below. As his patient I was surprised to see him one day in the D. B. Weldon Library(another name) where he was studying for another degree. (See: "Significant Gift Extends Dr. John Sangster's Legacy at Western," Keri Ferguson, Western News, Jan. 17, 2025. 
  "Moscovich" is an additional name to consider, for two reasons: it is the name behind the support for many endeavours that will be undertaken at the Don Wright Faculty of Music,(another name) and it also will be found on the recital hall. (See, "Transformational Gift Strikes a Chord for Western's Don Wright Faculty of Music: The Moscovich Fund For Innovation in Music Will Bring Top Artists to Western, Enriching the Student Experience," Cassie Dowse, Western News, Nov. 25, 2024.)
Jim and Barbara Moscovich are to be acknowledged for their generosity and about the latter I have only good things to say. For Jim, however, I only wish I could come up with a good, insulting cryptic remark in Latin to conclude this post. He would appreciate it. We tried to play squash and golf over many years, but were both better at issuing insults than hitting balls. 

Post Script:
  I dedicated a complete and long post to another person whose name is seen often around Western University, on scholarships and a space outside University College, for example. His name: WILLIAM BILL HODGINS. See this post for details: "The Humanities and Universities." 

Note: Mulcahy's Miscellany is my personal blog. Those at Western University are not responsible for this post, especially for any errors, nor are they likely even aware of MM. They are, however, welcome to borrow from any of my Western posts, of which there are now many. There is even one about the pawpaw trees on campus. 

Bad News From Brescia

    The main purpose here is to move down the page the previous rather depressing post about "Water," while I think of a new topic.  Nonetheless, readers will benefit from this rehashing of university-related items since the resulting hash relates to an important local news story during a time when there is not much reporting of the local news.

   There was some news from Brescia University College this week and it was characterized as “bad” by many who followed the stories. Apparently most of those who attend Brescia thought it was not good, because this statement currently appears on the BUC website:
"OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH OUR STUDENTS AND WE EMPATHIZE DEEPLY WITH THE WAYS THE NEWS ABOUT BRESCIA’S TRANSFORMATION HAS AFFECTED YOU."
One way the transformation may be characterized is to say that Brescia, after working hard to change its name from "Brescia College" to "Brescia University College," will now become what seems to be much more a mere "college” than it formerly was. 

   This does not seem to be a good decision to me, but given that Brescia is (or was) committed to educating women, I will not appropriate the subject and instead simply offer resources which might be of use to readers of any gender. I will move from general sources from this blog to more specific and helpful ones directly related to the likely diminishment of Brescia University College.

Potemkin Villages?

There is a lot of construction on campus with more to come

  One hopes that “Brescia-like” stories do not become common across campuses across the country, but that, if they do, perhaps the citizenry will become more concerned. Here are some posts that relate, tenuously in some instances, to the matter at hand.

Perhaps The Lack of Money Is The Problem

  This post titled, “Bloomberg” was really about Johns Hopkins University and the massive amount of money it received from Michael Bloomberg. Actually, the post was mainly about money and in it there is a lament for Laurentian. Since none of you are likely to bother to read the post, here is the “Bonus” it contained. Do at least read it. The subject is Canadian universities about one hundred years ago. Not much has changed:

   The universities had no contact with one another. Most of them had been conceived, born, and nourished for sectarian purposes, and all were very poor. Because they were poor they were ill-nurtured, and were as a rule at odds with one another. Professors were badly paid, libraries were meagre, laboratories were few and scantily equipped, museums hardly existed. The provincial treasurers, harassed by other demands for which they were afraid to tax their constituents, took advantage of the divided interests of the colleges to refuse aid impartially to all. From: Fifty Years Retrospect: Canada, 1882-1932.

Ivory Towers in the Eastern Provinces

   In this one you will learn that Canada actually has “Maple League Universities.” In the “Bonus’ section you will also learn about other "Ivies" including the "Public Ones" and the "Hidden Ones." Unfortunately you will also find out that I thought Brescia was doing quite well back then, but offered some advice if it was ever needed. 

A Purpose For Brescia
   It is not quite clear what Brescia is to become, but it appears that it is to be a place for students not quite ready for university. Rather than teaching mainly women, Brescia will now focus on "prep courses for international and domestic students", even though the London International Academy is apparently doing that at two locations in downtown London
   If the merger fails and the lovely location is not usurped by the city for a "Homeless Hub," I suggest going after more mature students, many of whom will have already been to university. It is quite a trend and much more exciting for professors who won't have to teach elementary English or arithmetic. Seniors are flocking back to university towns and many are even roosting at times right on the campuses. See: "Lifelong Learning."

The Purpose of Universities
   Perhaps it is this that we are really not quite clear about.  An assessment of the purpose of HIGHER education is found in a review of four books on the subject which was in the Globe and Mail back in 2021. A summary is presented in this post - "The University" - and it is followed by a very long bibliography of books related to "University Education." Specific sources related to the Brescia situation follow and at the very end of it you will find a remark from the CAUT which I think is worth considering.

Sources:

"Brescia University College Students Plan Protest Amid Western Merger Announcement," Kelly Wang, Global News, Sept. 24, 2023.

"Brescia Merger With Western University 'Devastating' for Faculty, Students'," Heather Rivers, London Free Press, Sept. 23, 2023.

"Brescia's Students and Faculty 'Blindsided' by Decision to Merge with Western University," Isha Bhargava, CBC News, Sept. 24, 2023

"Hundreds Gather to Protest Brescia's Merger With Western University," Isha Bhargava, CBC News, Sept. 27, 2023.

"CAUT Opposes Merger Between Brescia and Western,"The Gazette, Om Shanbhag, Oct. 3, 2023. This article includes a link to the letter sent from the CAUT to President & Vice-Chancellor Alan Shepard of Western and President Lauretta Frederking of Brescia University College. This paragraph from it makes sense to me:

"The serious concerns raised by this matter beg the question of whether the integration as it is currently being planned should even proceed. If there is a desire to merge Brescia into Western, it should be from the start discussed openly with the Senate and faculty associations so that the academic community can assess the merits and, if agreeing, decide upon how such a merger could be properly managed from an educational perspective. At the very least, it is essential that the faculty associations have effective representation on the integration committee as their members and their rights are directly affected."

Post Script:

   It has been observed that this is a "Mast Year" in many areas and that the trees are producing more acorns and walnuts than usual. I hope that is the case for the PAWPAW TREES which have been planted on campus and that they continue to flourish along with Brescia University College.

Pawpaw Redux

 

The Groves of Academe

   I just wrote about the Pawpaw tree ( in, Edible and Available in Ontario), knowing that the subject of pawpaws is very popular and will attract readers. Overlooked in the sources and references provided were some which were found close by,  along with some actual pawpaw trees! I am pleased that the campus at Western now has some, along with additional sources you should now consult. 

   I happened to visit the campus by bike recently and noted all the construction activity. That led me to search the Western website to see what was going on. That is when I discovered the pawpaw sources and trees of which I was unaware. It appears that the Western landscaping crews are as active as the construction ones. 

   Start with this good article from Western News: "Indigenous Tree Bears Rich History, Culture for Western: Rare Pawpaw Brings Hope For Healthy Ecosystem on Campus," Mari-Len De Guzman, Sept. 30, 2021. Since the article came out at the beginning of the academic year it may have been overlooked. Here are some bits; read the entire piece.

"A new set of pawpaw (Asimina triloba) trees have been planted on UC Hill near the Physics and Astronomy Building recently, in the hopes of increasing the campus’s biodiversity and promoting a healthier natural ecosystem....

The five pawpaws planted this past summer, each measuring about a metre in height, add to the unnumbered pawpaw trees already growing on campus, mostly in the Middlesex College area....

As stewards of the campus landscape, Western’s landscape services plants about 200 Carolinian or native trees on campus each year. The pawpaws were among 203 trees planted this year, including bitternut, black gum and other....

Enriching plant biodiversity across campus is part of Western’s commitment to sustainability outlined in its new strategic plan. Western is also home to thousands of tree species and has been officially designated as an arboretum.

The image above is from the article. Thanks should be offered to Mr. Vanden Huevel and the landscaping crews the next time you visit Western. 

For additional background see: "Planting the Seeds of Sustainability: New and Enhanced Gardens Build on Western's Natural Beauty and Biodiversity," Keri Ferguson, Western News, June 24, 2021. 

The Sherwood Fox Arboretum was established in 1981 and more can be learned about it by clicking on the link provided.  And, even more is offered by the Department of Biology. 

Post Script: 

    Dr. Sherwood Fox was a president of UWO and a classicist as well as a naturalist. I have mentioned him before. You will find him in the post about John Muir since President Fox wrote about Muir's time in Canada. He also wrote about "The Old Grand Bend Cut" and is mentioned in the post about "Parks Along the Great Lakes." He also wrote about the BATS in his Muskoka cottage and the large flocks of PASSENGER PIGEONS which used to exist and President Fox is found in those posts. 

The Bonus:

   The Groves of Academe seems like a suitable subtitle for this post. Doubly so, since it is also the title of one of the most famous 'campus novels.' The son of the author of it taught for years at Western and is now retired.

 

Edible and Available in Ontario

 The Pawpaw or Paw-Paw

   During my childhood (which extended into my 30s) I was incurious, or at least not curious about the things that counted. Those 'things' included just about anything not directly related to goofing off, playing around or drinking. In fact, I didn't even bother to learn much about the things required during those activities. If, like me, you were making spitballs during biology classes or aimlessly shooting your BB gun while walking through the woods, you may not know about the pawpaw tree. 

   I am trying to pay more attention now, and in doing so read this article which is why you are now reading about the pawpaw: "The Forgotten Fruit: Few People Have Heard of It. Fewer Still Have Tasted It. The Pawpaw, Ontario's Mango, Has A Rich Indigenous History, But a Vulnerable Future in the Province," Jade Prevost-Manuel, On Nature, Summer, 2022. The only thing I knew about the pawpaw was this lyric, which I probably remember from playing and goofing off: 

"Where, oh where is dear little Nellie?

Way down yonder in the pawpaw patch

Pickin’ up pawpaws, puttin’ ’em in your pocket."

   Did you know that a tropical mango-like fruit grew in Ontario and that it has been described as tasting like a custard made from a combination of mangos, bananas and pears - "nature's Creamsicle"? Did you know that a 'patch' of them could more properly be referred to as a 'grove', since the pawpaw grows on pawpaw trees and another grove of them has just been discovered in the Chatham-Kent area and you can find the PawPaw Woods near Wallaceburg. 

   Given that we have only recently noticed that most of our food comes from far away and may stop arriving, perhaps we should be paying more attention to things that can be harvested here (I will avoid for now the related subject which has to do with the fact that we have to hire people from far away to come and do the harvesting.) To assist you in learning more about our 'tropical' fruit, I will provide sources since most of what I know was revealed in the lyrics provided above.

Cricket Chow
  It was announced yesterday that our food security has been enhanced and that soon thirteen million kilograms of crickets will be processed annually here in London. The Federal government just provided $8.5 in assistance. You should know all about cricket eating because the subject was thoroughly covered in my post on ENTOMOPHAGY. I even mentioned the possibilities presented by the byproduct "Kricket Krap." Perhaps someone in the company or the government actually read it since I noticed in the article that: "Some of the byproducts from the Aspire operation processing will be sold back to area farmers as fertilizer..." ("By Jiminy! Feds Put $8.5M Into London Cricket Farm," Dan Brown, London Free Press, June 27, 2022.)

Sources:

   I skipped horticulture classes as well, but I have learned from my research that you need a couple of trees to start, the shelf life of the pawpaw is short and in Ontario they can only be grown in our "carolinian area." These sources will suffice:

   You can start, as usual with the Wikipedia entry. Then just go to Kentucky State. Cornell is also good - "Pawpaw - A "Tropical" Fruit for Temperate Climates," Guy K. Ames. Closer to home there is the Arboretum at Guelph and there is an Ontario Tree Atlas. If you want to grow your own see "Care and Stewardship of Pawpaw Trees," Ben Porchuk, Carolinian Canada. 

   There are many articles in sources close by. For example: “New Guide To Growing Forgotten Pawpaw Tree,” Sharon Hill, Windsor Star, May 29, 2020 and 

"Why an Ontario naturalist wants to Make Pawpaws Great Again: The once-popular fruit faded into obscurity in the 20th century. Now Dan Bissonnette is trying to bring it back, Daniel Sellers, Feb. 9, 2017, TVO Today. There is even interest among the Torontonians and this piece is quite good: "The Native Tropical-Tasting Fruit Can Be Foraged, But It's Easy to Grow Yourself," Edible Toronto.
Forage On!

   For Food History, see my magnum postus.