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Donald Lecture Series Emma Fingler Contributor
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ach year Bishop’s University welcomes exceptional individuals, who inspire students, through the Donald Lecture Series. The idea behind the Donald Lecture Series is to “provide insight, provoke thought, and stimulate debate on the most compelling issues affecting our world today.” Thanks to the support of John Donald, a Bishop’s alumnus, these lectures are free to enjoy. Being a student at Bishop’s gives one the ability to experience a variety of incredible events in a small, personal setting. In previous years, speakers have included guests such as, Right Honorable Michaëlle Jean, Jesse Jackson, and Kevin O’Leary. This year the three speakers will cover a wide range of topics, all critically acclaimed in his or her area of expertise. On Thursday, October 2, 2014, Bishop’s will be hosting Lyn Heward, the former Director of Creation for Cirque de Soleil. She is also the author of the critically acclaimed book, “The Spark: Igniting the Creative Fire That Lives Within Us All.”
Not only for aspiring acrobats, Heward explores the nature of creativity and innovation. Ideal for business students, she discusses what one needs in today’s business climate to ensure success. As President and COO of the Creative Content Division at Cirque de Soleil, Heward has experience in risk-taking, product development, and leadership. Next in the line-up is Edward Burtynsky, a respected Canadian photographer. He will visit the campus on Wednesday, November 26th, 2014. Burtnysky’s photographs have been featured in over 60 major museums around the globe, in both solo and group exhibitions. Exploring the link between industry and nature, he manages to find beauty in some of the most raw and unlikely of places. He inspires art at all levels through his ‘Toronto Image Works’ center. The founding of this business contributed to him being awarded Officer of the Order of Canada in 2006. Burtynsky is sure to astound the audience with his captivating and provoking images. Finally, on Tuesday, January 27, 2015, Centennial Theatre will be welcoming Colonel Chris Hadfield. An accomplished Canadian astronaut, Colonel Hadfield
PQ Support Falters Francois Leduc Contributor
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he coming year may be brutal for the Parti Québecois (PQ). After their loss, at the hands of Philippe Couillard’s Liberals in the April election, the PQ is not making headway with voters or within the party. Summer of 2014 has not helped rally any support for Quebec sovereignty; the PQ loss of power is now paired with
increased criticism regarding a referendum. Lucien Bouchard, a former PQ premier stated, “Sovereignty is no longer possible.” Bouchard also declared that the Bloc Québecois, the federal Quebec party he founded, no longer has a reason to be in Ottawa. In July, Pierre-Karl Peladaeu, former CEO of Quebecor media, has announced his intention of entering the race for
The Death of Divinity Nicole Gauvreau Copy Editor
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t’s one of the oldest buildings on campus, preceded only by McGreer Hall, St. Mark’s Chapel, Old Johnson, and part of Morris House. Throughout its long history, Divinity has been many things, included a rather long project for Administration and the staff of Buildings and Grounds. Divinity House was built in 1891, thanks to a grant from Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, in order to house the students of the (now closed) Faculty of Divinity and the family of the Professor of Pastoral Theology, which would, according to the Divinity House brochure, allow Theological students to “keep certain devotional rules and lead a more disciplined life in preparation for the ministry.” At this time the building was just the main, square portion of Divinity as we know it now and had no
veranda (which was added in 1904). Sixteen years later, in 1907, the Oratory (now the Writing Centre) was added to the house as a memorial to Bishops Charles James Stewart, and dedicated to the Venerable Bede, a seventh century monk. From this time until 1949, Divinity remained fairly unchanged. In 1949, Divinity underwent its first major renovation and was adapted to accommodate 20 students, rather than the former 17. In 1962, Divinity was again renovated, and students from outside the Faculty of Divinity began to move in. Only eight years later, the Faculty of Divinity closed and the Oratory deconsecrated. In 1971 it became the first co-ed residence on campus. During the restoration of McGreer Hall in 1988, Divinity house was made into offices. After the restoration of McGreer was finished, administrative offices moved out of Divinity and faculty offices
Photo courtesy Speaker’s Spotlight
Colonel Chris Hadfield is one of the three guest speakers coming to Bishop’s University.
has become an international sensation. He delighted the world with his daily interactions through social media while aboard the International Space Station, beginning each day with “Good Morning, Earth!” Since returning with both feet on the ground, Hadfield has toured extensively and inspired many with his book, “An Astronauts Guide to Life on Earth.” With many achievements to his name,
Hadfield will share the lessons he learned throughout his career as not only an astronaut, but also an engineer and pilot. Guaranteed to be inspiring and thought provoking, don’t miss the Donald Lecture Series coming this year at Bishop’s University.
the PQ leadership. This move has made many party members uneasy. Though the next election is not an immediate concern, the PQ has reason to worry. With the emergence of the Coallition Avenir Québec, the PQ has lost many of its key seats, including former premier Pauline Marois’s riding in Charlevoix. Another cause for anxiety shared by PQ activists is the split of the separatist
vote. This is due to other emerging separatist parties such as Québec Solidaire, who have ben recognised in the National Assembly since 2008. The question is not whether the importance of the PQ has faltered, but if it has simply lost its appeal to voters. If the debate on independence does not draw more voters in the next election, the PQ may witness its end in politics.
moved in. This year, you’ll notice Divinity seems rather empty. In fact, only the Writing Centre in the old Oratory remains. The French Help Centre, professor’s offices, and language labs have been moved to either McGreer basement or Norton and Pollack. If you poke around you’ll still find the kitchen in working order, (with fittings from the 1920s to 1950s) and washrooms on the second and third floors (complete with shower stall and bathtub from it’s days as a residence). But why is Divinity so empty this year? The answer is both complex and simple. For a number of years Divinity House has been in need of major updates and renovations so that it will meet modern building and fire codes. Recently it was asked that the building be vacated by December 31st, 2014 (at which point the Writing Centre will be moved to where the Health Centre is in MacKinnon, which will move to the
Sports Plex). However, the problems do not stop at bringing the building up to code. The structure also needs to be reinforced and waterproofed (as to prevent further and future mould problems), and the Oratory/Writing Centre has suffered salt damage from the ring road being too close to the walls. Repairs, renovations and updates have been planned for years, but are coming to a head this year as rumours circulate that Divinity will be demolished and a new building put in it’s place. Michel Caron, head of Buildings and Grounds here on campus, assures us that the decision for either renovation or demolition has not yet been made, and the costs for the two options are comparable. In the mean time, Divinity will still be maintained, inside and out. For now, enjoy Divinity as it is, because regardless of if renovation or demolition is pursued, the building will never be the same again.