Members of the McNair family celebrate the official dedication of the John B. McNair Learning Commons at the University of New Brunswick's Harriet Irving Library

June 5, 2009
UNB Fredericton News Release: 09-098
Natasha St. Pierre, Communication Officer (506) 458-7969

John B. McNair was one of the most accomplished scholars, jurists, and public servants ever to graduate from UNB, and because of this the Learning Commons in the Harriet Irving Library at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton has been named in his honour.

The official dedication of the Learning Commons was held last night at UNB. Members of UNB’s Board of Governors, alumni and friends were in attendance as well as members of McNair’s family.

Janet McNair Scarfe, John McNair’s youngest daughter, spoke at the event on behalf of her family.

"My brother John and I are very grateful to have our father honoured by UNB, the university he loved and supported all his life,” said Ms. McNair Scarfe. “Given his outstanding scholastic record here and at Oxford, it seems most appropriate that the library learning commons is the place chosen to commemorate his name."

The Learning Commons, centrally located on the first floor of the Harriet Irving Library, offers an enriched learning environment for students incorporating service points, social learning space, technology and study spaces.

Some of its features include a new café with an enlarged seating area; group study rooms equipped with new projectors and furniture; a research and technology help desk; and a new service desk where students can check out books, find reserves and AV materials, and borrow laptops.

“The impact of the Learning Commons is exemplified by the number of students in the Library, said John Teskey, director of UNB Libraries. “Within the past couple years the traffic in the Library has increased by 75 per cent.”

John McLaughlin, UNB president, notes McNair’s life was one dedicated to advancing the well-being and prosperity of the people of New Brunswick, but until now so little in the province bears his name.

“It seemed fitting that this vital space, UNB’s busiest hub of student activity, be dedicated to a New Brunswicker of deep and lasting influence on the university and the people of our province,” said Dr. McLaughlin.

McNair was born in Andover, N.B., and earned his bachelor of arts degree at UNB in 1911. He was a very active student during his time at UNB and won the Governor General’s Medal, the Lieutenant Governor’s Prize and was valedictorian of his class. He then went on to become a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University where he obtained two more degrees. Over the course of his career he maintained a lifelong interest in education and scholarship, serving on the UNB Senate and on the selection committee for UNB’s Lord Beaverbrook Scholarships.

After serving in the First World War, he returned to Fredericton to practice law. He was president of the New Brunswick Liberal Association for eight years, was appointed to King’s Counsel, worked as an MLA and later went on to become the province’s attorney general, a position which he held for 17 years. In 1940, McNair became New Brunswick’s 23rd premier. After 12 years in office, he went on to be a Supreme Court judge, chief justice and lieutenant governor of New Brunswick.

McNair is the only New Brunswicker to have served as premier, chief justice and lieutenant governor and after his death in 1968, he was one of the first-ever recipients of the Order of Canada.

Hundreds of supporters stepped forward to contribute to the Learning Commons Project. In particular, the Harrison McCain Foundation donated $250,000 to the project after hearing that the space would be dedicated to McNair.

For more information, please contact Peter Coates at pcoates@unb.ca or 506-452-6305.

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