Giving News

Giving News Great Hall Mural Depicts the People Who Make STU

Since 1968, Bill Johnson has worked in the visual arts “in one way or another,” and a new mural in the Great Hall has taken him back to where he began. As editor of The Aquinian, he was prepared for his fi rst job as writer and illustrator for The Daily Gleaner. His work took him to Toronto as a framer and art conservator, and he later travelled Europe. Bill would subsequently work as a courtroom artist for CTV, book cover designer for Nimbus Publishing, assistant editor of the Atlantic Advocate, freelance artist and designer, and creative director with Atlantic Superstore. He has been a full-time artist since 1995 and has exhibited in Toronto, Oakville, Fredericton, Saint John, and Halifax. His works are owned by collectors across North America. The mural is made possible by the STU Alumni Association. The idea was raised with Bill by then-President of the Alumni Association Margaret Tracy, BA’75. The Association had pledged a gift to the University’s campaign and were considering ideas for campus beautifi cation. He thought the timing was perfect, and he offered to donate his time and expertise as a gift to his alma mater. “When I visited the newly-renovated Great Hall, I saw a blank space on the back wall which I viewed as a canvas waiting to be fi lled.” The mural concept is a triptych, a work of art divided into three sections. Each section is a variation on a theme. They celebrate students engaged in activities which highlight arts, culture, and sports in the fl anking panels, and academics, diversity, and ideals in the larger centre panel. Student Laura Forrester, BA’22 was instrumental in laying the groundwork for the fi nished mural. She was recommended as someone who could assist on the project. After delays brought on by the pandemic, Laura worked with Bill over 12 months to bring his vision to life. “The murals are a refl ection of growth, development, community. In the end, it always comes back to our school, to coming home again. I was delighted to be able to give this mural as my gift to the University. For all that

St. Thomas gave to me, this was my chance to offer repayment in the best way I know how,” said Bill. • said Bill.

“Since its inception, St. Thomas has instilled students with the education and confi dence to make their places in the world — this is about them, it is the people who make the place.”

Alyssia Paul

Memorial Bursary

Photo by: Keith Minchin

Photo courtesy of Alyssia’s father: Richard Paul

Saddened by the tragic death of Alyssia Paul, who died crossing the Trans Canada Highway on September 7, 2018, alumni John and Diana Cowland felt obligated to do something to honour this young woman’s life. Having personal ties to Kingsclear First Nation, John and Diana wanted to honour her in a way that would directly impact her community. John described Alyssia’s death as “a tragic loss of an unfulfi lled life” compelling them to establish an endowed bursary in her name that would support students from Kingsclear First Nation. •

Historic Stained-Glass Panels in the Chapel Chapel

Photo by: Keith Minchin

Amaster stained-glass artist and conservator, Ned Bowes, BA’73, has been working with stained glass for four decades. One of the most respected restoration experts in the country, Bowes is regularly called upon for his expertise and has earned many national and international awards, including the title “Maitre de Vitraux” from the American Stained-Glass Institute. Ned received the Carolyn Layden-Stevenson Distinguished Alumni Award in 2019. Last year, Ned gifted his alma mater with a magnifi cent chandelier which now hangs in the Great Hall. His cleaning, repairing, and restoring of the 7,000 crystals took more than 100 hours. (See Connections Autumn 2021) In the fall of 2021, Ned approached STU to ask if we would accept the gift of 12 stained-glass panels which had been removed from a church in Saint John. The work of Nathaniel T. Lyon, these windows are 120 years old. An Irish immigrant, Lyon was involved in the design and building of the windows in the Peace Tower in Ottawa, which are considered among the best examples of work of this era. Ned spent six months restoring the panels, which are now installed in custom-built frames in the windows of the University Chapel. Attendees of the 2022 Baccalaureate Mass were among the fi rst to attend a service following the installation of these beautiful and lovinglyrestored windows. •