|
Margot K. Louis, a faculty member in the English department, passed away in her Victoria home on Aug. 28 after a long and courageous struggle with cancer. Born in 1954 in Buffalo, NY, Margot attended Smith College and Oxford University before receiving her PhD from the University of Toronto. She was a valued member of the English department at UVic since 1987, and inspired many students and faculty members with her intellect and kindness. A renowned specialist in the poetry of A. C. Swinburne, Margot was one of the most influential figures in Swinburne scholarship of the last two decades, and her book and many articles remain invaluable sources of knowledge for students of Swinburne. Margot remained an extraordinarily productive scholar until the very end of her life. She died with two works nearing press: an edited collection of essays on Swinburne, and a monograph entitled Persephone Rises, 1860-1927: Mythography, Gender, and the Creation of a New Spirituality that will be published by Ashgate later this year. An eminent scholar, great teacher, and a true friend, Margot will be missed by many.
Contributed by Yisrael Levin, former graduate student of Margot Louis
Alan Oliphant, long-time employee and project officer in the Facilities Management Department, died on Aug. 30. Alan’s contributions to the university began back in 1968 when he started working with buildings and grounds. In 1979, Alan left UVic to start his own private firm working on custom residential and commercial projects. The Design Institute recognized his excellence in 1986. He was a consultant for UVic campus planning from 1986–95 and in 1995 became a full-time member of facilities management, formed when buildings and grounds and campus planning amalgamated in 1994. Alan contributed to simply too many projects to mention them all. He headed up research lab renovations in the Petch, Cunningham, Elliott, Engineering Lab Wing and Engineering Office buildings. He spearheaded the artificial turf field, Ian Stewart ice arena retrofit, UVic seismic upgrading program and construction of the Glover greenhouse facility. His team devotion to organizing UVic Centennial Stadium for the 1994 Commonwealth Games will never be forgotten. Alan touched the hearts of many faculty and administrators, who relied on his great artistic skill to portray exactly was being designed for them. He was especially well liked by the community, consultants and contractors all over the city. His wife, Kathryn Oliphant, is assistant to the director of UVic athletics and recreation.
Contributed by Ron McDowell, projects co-ordinator, facilities management
Mary Margaret Thomas, a wise and knowledgeable elder of the Secwepemc (Shuswap) Nation at Salmon Arm, BC, passed away in Vernon on July 30. A recipient of a UVic honorary degree in 2000, she was a friend, teacher and mentor to countless people, from many First Nations communities and academic institutions. She worked closely with a number of students and faculty at the University of Victoria, from child and youth care, to the schools of social work and environmental studies. In February, 2001, she visited UVic as a Lansdowne Lecturer, delivering four lectures which were videotaped and later transcribed and printed into an illustrated booklet entitled The Wisdom of Dr. Mary Thomas. A member of the Neskonlith community, she lived her entire life in the Shuswap and Okanagan regions. As a child she spent many happy hours with her grandmothers, parents and siblings travelling up into the mountains, digging wild root vegetables, picking berries, harvesting Indian-hemp for cordage making, and learning all of the cultural traditions and environmental and conservation knowledge of her people. She became an expert and a beloved teacher on traditional knowledge of the environment, including stories, Shuswap place names, plant names and language, Indigenous food systems, healthcare and family values. Fondly known as “Mother Nature” by many, she left a legacy of love for her culture and for the environment. She will be greatly missed by her friends here at UVic and across British Columbia.
Submitted by Dr. Nancy Turner (environmental studies)
|
|
