1981–1997

1981

Robert A. Bandeen is appointed 15th Chancellor

Robert A. Bandeen is appointed 15th Chancellor of Bishop’s University and remained Chancellor until 1987. The former old dining-hall and gymnasium adjoining Norton Residence was renamed Bandeen Hall in 1990, in honour of Robert and Mona Bandeen who were generous benefactors of music at Bishop’s.

1982

Creation of the Eastern Townships Research Centre.

1983

In March the Lady Gaiters Basketball team wins the National Championship.

1984

The Lady Gaiters Basketball team win their 2nd consecutive National Championship.

1986

H.M. Scott is appointed 15th Principal

“Physician at the age of 22, cardiologist, director of the McGill Centre for Medical Education, Professor and Chair of Medicine (Université de Sherbrooke), Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Bishop’s University, Executive Director of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, Executive Director of the McGill University Health Centre, these are a few of the many accomplishments of Hugh Scott.”

Excerpt from citation delivered by Professor Robert Forrest, on the occasion of Hugh Scott receiving an honourary degree (DCL) from Bishop’s University in 1999.

Read complete citation (PDF)

1987

William I.M. Turner is appointed 16th Chancellor.

1989

Visit of His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

His Royal Highness the Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh visited Canada from May 18 to 21, 1989. Bishop’s University was one of the official stops on the itinerary which focused upon the Focused anniversary of the United Empire Loyalists Association of Canada. A civic welcome ceremony greeted His Royal Highness at Sherbrooke on May 19 at Sherbrooke’s City Hall, followed by the presentation of the The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Gold Certificates at the Séminaire de Sherbrooke. The evening comprised a gala concert and dinner at the Domaine Saint-Laurent in Compton. On May 20, His Royal Highness proceeded to Lennoxville. A special reception was prepared at Uplands, by the Lennoxville-Ascot Historical and Museum Society, with a welcome by Lennoxville’s mayor, Duncan Bruce. Approximately 1000 people of all ages and an honour guard of 75 Second World War veterans were on hand to greet the Prince. He later visited the University of Sherbrooke, celebrating its 35th anniversary. On the same day he inspected the Bishop’s College School Cadet Corps No. 2, attended by a crowd of almost 2000. That evening His Royal Highness attended a dinner at Bishop’s University hosted by the United Empire Loyalists Association. On Sunday, May 21 at Bishop’s University His Royal Highness unveiled a plaque which commemorates the designation of St. Mark’s Chapel (1857) as a historical monument. After signing the Golden Book of Bishop’s University, Prince Philip planted a butternut sapling (an endangered species in the Eastern Townships) on the shore of the Massawippi River to symbolize the University’s commitment to the establishment of an arboretum and wildlife reserve.

Other highlights:

• Addition of the Consolidated-Bathurst Studio Theatre.
• St. Mark’s Chapel is classified as an historical monument by the Cultural Affairs Ministry of Quebec.

1990

• Cormier Centre for Economics is launched.
• Molson  building completed.

1991

• Peter D. Curry Conservation Project is officially inaugurated (PDF).
• Athletics Wall of Distinction installed at the Sports Centre.
• Commemorating the massacre at École Polytechnique, December 6, 1989, a specially-commissioned stained-glass window by Marcelle Ferron is unveiled in the Reference Room of the Library on December 6, 1991.

1992

Hollywood comes to Bishop’s with actor Patrick Swayze and the Quebec premier of City of Joy shown at Centennial Theatre.

1993

Bishop’s celebrates its 150th (Sesquicentennial) anniversary with a variety of special events.

Read Dr. Robin Burns’ introduction to the special bilingual Sesqui publication, A Portrait of Bishop’s University. Or read the book in its entirety (PDF).

December 9th – Sesquicentennial Convocation which includes the presentation of the Coat of Arms and Flag and the signing and presentation of the Letters Patent of Bishop’s University by Governor General of Canada, Ramon John Hnatyshyn.

The new Coat of Arms was presented to Bishop’s University by His Excellency the Right Honourable Ramon John Hnatyshyn, Governor General of Canada, at the Sesquicentennial Convocation held December 9, 1993 in Centennial Theatre.

In these Arms, the Cross of St. George, the Book and the Mitre connect us with our historic roots. The crossed croziers in the first quarter symbolize our relationship with the Bishops of Montreal and Québec. The crest stands on a compartment representing the St. Francis and the Massawippi Rivers flowing through the green hills of the Eastern Townships. The supporters stand for the white-tailed deer and the black bear, both animals native to this area.

The motto featured on the coat of arms,  Recti cultus pectora roborant, has been translated as Sound learning strengthens the spirit.

The badge consists of crossed croziers behind a purple alligator wearing red bishop’s gaiters – an heraldic pun in the ancient tradition. The badge can be used for less formal purposes, such as team uniforms, beer mugs, banners etc.

The official University flag includes a representation of the basic crest, on a silver background with purple bands.

The Right Honourable Ramon John Hnatyshyn is greeted at the main doors of McGreer Hall by Principal Hugh Scott and Chancellor William Turner, December 9th, 1993.

Sherry reception for the Governor-General in the Old Library.

Chancellor William Turner is presented with the University’s Letters Patent by Governor-General Ramon John Hnatyshyn, at a Special Convocation held December 9th, 1993, celebrating the 150th anniversary of the founding of Bishop’s University.

Judge William Mitchell and Mrs. Margaret Bradley Mitchell slice the “Bishop’s University Birthday Cake” in the lobby of the Centennial Theatre, December 9th, 1993.

One of Bishop’s oldest graduates, Dorothy Dutton, Class of 1920, meets the youngest student, Alanna Mason, Class of 1997, and the Right Honourable Ramon John Hnatyshyn.

The Governor-General is presented with a Bishop’s Gaiters football sweatshirt.

On a snowless December 9th, 1993, Vice-Principal Jean-Luc Grégoire and René Lemieux play a Sesqui tennis match.

Other highlights:

• Champlain Regional College vacates McGreer Hall to its own building.
• McGreer Hall is renovated and the library wing is restored to its original structure and function as library to house the University Archives and Special Collections services and those of the Eastern Townships Research Centre.
• In conjunction with the University’s 150th anniversary, the Executive Committee of Bishop’s Corporation authorizes the replacement of St. Mark’s Chapel organ as part of the sesquicentennial campaign, and the Friends of St. Mark’s strike a committee to oversee the project.

1994

• Canadian actor Christopher Plummer performs at Bishop’s Centennial Theatre – a joint fund-raiser for the Centennial Theatre and The Piggery
• The University Library inaugurates its online catalogue: Bishop’s Online Retrieval Information System (BORIS).

1995

Music professor Dr. Andrew MacDonald receives a Juno Award for Best Classical Composition: Concerto for violin and orchestra

Born in Guelph in 1958, Andrew Paul MacDonald earned a DMA in Composition at The University of Michigan in 1985. For the past decade his compositions have won many prestigious prizes, including the 1995 Juno Award for “Best Classical Composition” for his Violin Concerto. His works are regularly performed in North America and Europe and are frequently broadcast on CBC and SRC. The release of his Prophecy from 47 Ursae Majoris on the Gasparo label marked the eighth compact disc recording of his music, and his compositions are published by New Art Music Editions (Winnipeg) and Vierdreiunddreissig Musikverlag (Munich). Dr MacDonald is also active as a concert guitarist and as professor of composition and theory at Bishop’s.

Janyne M. Hodder is appointed 16th Principal

She served until 2004 and received an honourary degree (honoris causa – DCL) from Bishop’s in 2007. Read citation for Janyne M. Hodder (PDF).

Other highlights:

• Alex K. Paterson is appointed 17th Chancellor.

1996

David A. Williams donated the largest single gift to date (1996) in Bishop’s history

David A. Williams (Bishop’s ’63, DCL ’96), successful investment manager and generous philanthropist, donated the largest single gift to date (1996) in Bishop’s history. He has created the SEED Foundation (Success through Education, Enterprise and Determination) with a donation of $3,000,000. His Foundation exists for the benefit of the Division of Business Administration of Bishop’s University. The gift will provide scholarships and bursaries for students, establish faculty positions, introduce an International Executives-in-Residence program, and provide travel grants to students and faculty in the International Business Program.

1997

Inauguration of the Williams School of Business and Economics.