Common Threads

By Sharon Gregory

“History doesn’t repeat itself,” says David Hamer Vic 7T4. “But as Mark Twain is frequently quoted as saying, it often rhymes.”

Hamer is alluding to a lesson he learned from his humanities education at Vic, yet Twain’s quote also serves as a powerful illustration of how philanthropy propels a cycle of one generation inspiring the next: as these acts of generosity unfold, they create a ripple effect of positive influence.

Last June, Hamer met Marg Devitt Vic 7T4—almost 50 years after they both graduated from Vic—at an afternoon tea marking the 30th anniversary of Victoria University’s Heritage Society, which recognizes those who have made a provision for Emmanuel or Victoria colleges in their estate plan. Beyond graduating in the same year, Devitt and Hamer have a lot in common. They each have strong family connections to Vic that demonstrate history’s rhythmic cadence, and they are committed to continuing the cycle through giving.

They also both credit their Vic education with launching their careers. Hamer, a recently retired litigation lawyer, studied history and English literature. “I owe a lot to Vic,” he says. “Because of my education here, I won a Rhodes Scholarship and went to Oxford where I also studied history.”

Studying humanities teaches you how to think without teaching you what to think.

Hamer is grateful to Vic and the “wonderful professors” he studied with, including Northrop Frye, C. C. Love, and Jane Millgate, for instilling in him a passion for the humanities. “Studying humanities teaches you how to think without teaching you what to think. The study of history teaches you how to tell a story, how to write, and it civilizes you—you are able to understand what is happening in the world,” Hamer says.

The stellar reputation of its French Studies program was one of the reasons Devitt chose Victoria College. “Needless to say, I was not disappointed,” Devitt says. “The classes were very small... and many of my professors came straight from France, bringing their Citroen cars with them! While at Vic, I became bilingual in French and English, and this was vital to my profession as a French teacher.”

She also honed her athletic and leadership skills while living at Margaret Addison Hall. She served on the residence council and athletic councils at both Vic and U of T. Devitt, who still swims every day, was on the Women’s Varsity Swim Team and participated in many interfaculty sports—basketball, volleyball, golf and curling among others—both as an athlete and as a manager.

“I was entrusted with the key to the Emmanuel College gymnasium, so I often encouraged my floormates to gather at the gym after study hours to enjoy a pick-up basketball game. On some occasions, Vic professors joined us for the fun,” Devitt remembers. In her graduating year, she was awarded the Vic Stick in recognition of her involvement with and devotion to the College.

Family ties are another common thread in their decision to attend Victoria College. Devitt wanted to follow in the footsteps of her grandfather S. G. Devitt, who was a member of the Victoria College Class of 1913.

Hamer’s parents, Gladys (Johnston) Hamer Vic 3T9 and Ian Hamer, met at a dance in Burwash Hall in the late 1930s. “My father was an engineer, so not a Vic grad, but he lived in North House. My mother lived in Annesley Hall.”

History rhymed several decades later when Hamer met his wife of 48 years, Jane (Macrae) Hamer Vic 7T4, on a blind date at a Caven House Christmas party.

Above all, Devitt and Hamer share a desire to “pay it forward.” Some years ago, Devitt endowed a scholarship for Victoria College students in her and her grandfather’s names. She has also made a bequest in her Will that will add to the scholarship fund.

Hamer has also recently endowed a scholarship in his parents’ names. “I decided to start the scholarship now, while living, and complete the funding of it upon death through a provision in my Will.”

Devitt hopes that these investments today will help Vic students tomorrow.

“By leaving these gifts, other Vic students will be able to make their own happy memories, long into the future. It is an investment that I know will reap unimaginable gains!”