October 16, 2006
UNB Fredericton News Release: D745
Louise Boldon, Acting Director, Development & Donor Relations (506) 451-6925

The University of New Brunswick is announcing almost $200,000 in awards to faculty members as part of the first-ever Harrison McCain Faculty Awards. The awards will invest in new faculty, attract visiting faculty to short-term appointments at UNB, and send faculty on visiting assignments that will benefit the university.

“Harrison McCain was a man who could transform an idea into reality,” said UNB President and Vice-Chancellor John McLaughlin. “He was also a generous man as evidenced by his many financial contributions over the years to UNB and to many other causes. Harrison knew all of his people at McCain Foods and took great pride in their accomplishments. Therefore, it is most fitting that the Harrison McCain Foundation carries out his wishes and invests in people at UNB.”

The Harrison McCain Foundation supports three awards. The Young Scholars Awards are designed to provide special support to new or recently hired faculty members. Valued at up to $25,000 per year, the awards may be used for research, study, travel, equipment and other initiatives. The Visiting Professorships Awards are intended to bring to UNB exceptional expertise and new perspectives gained through visiting faculty members. The Visitorship Awards support UNB faculty who take short-term appointments at other institutions. Valued at up to $50,000 per year, the visiting professorships and visitorship awards are used to supplement faculty salaries, expenses and research costs.

“We have worked with Harrison’s family to design a comprehensive program, and are extremely pleased to announce the initial Harrison McCain faculty awards,” said Dr. McLaughlin. “This professional recognition and support will help some of our very best and brightest faculty take their ideas and turn them into something special, as Harrison himself did so effectively throughout a long and brilliant business career. These awards are an appropriate tribute to a special friend.”

The Harrison McCain Young Scholars Award recipients for 2006-07 are: Paul Howe, associate professor of political science, for research on the political disengagement of young Canadians; Karen Kidd, assistant professor of biology, for research on emerging chemicals in New Brunswick waterways; Van Lantz, assistant professor of forestry and environmental management for research on the economic impact analysis of climate change; Nicole Letourneau, associate professor of nursing, for research on salivary cortisol levels in mothers with post-partum depression; Carissima Mathen, assistant professor of law, for research on the theory and practice of Supreme Court Justice Louise Arbor; and Benedict Newling, associate professor of physics, for research on magnetic resonance imaging of highly turbulent flows.

The Harrison McCain Visiting Professorship Award recipients for 2006-07 are: B.R. Jagirdar from the Indian Institute of Science, Gaspar Gonzalez-Sanson from the University of Havana, and Debbie Kralik from the Royal District Nursing Service in Australia.

The Harrison McCain Visitorship Award recipients for 2006-07 are: Bruce Balcolm, professor of physics, for an appointment at Cambridge University; Peter Bischoff, professor of civil engineering, for an appointment at the University of New South Wales; and Sandra Byers, professor of psychology, for an appointment at New York University.

More information about donating to UNB is available online at www.unb.ca/donations, by phone at 1-877-UNB-GIVE or via email at giving@unbfutures.ca.

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