December 3, 2003
UNB News Release: C844
Sandra Howland, Manager, Ceremonies, Events and Community Outreach (506) 458-7968

Colin Bridges Mackay, O.C., Q.C., B.A., D.C.L, D.ésL,. D.Ed., LL.D., president emeritus of the University of New Brunswick, died Tuesday, Nov. 25, at the age of 83.

Dr. Mackay, who served as president of UNB from 1953 to 1969, has been described as the single most influential person in UNB's growth and development during the 20th century.

Colin B. Mackay was the right man for the right time at UNB. He was energetic, committed and indefatigable. He took advantage of every opportunity that came his way to make UNB the best it could possibly be. He recognized the potential in the post-War boom and capitalized on it. In a productive partnership with Lord Beaverbrook, he attracted the substantial support this institution needed to expand its facilities, hire talented faculty, and increase its programs, presiding over a period of growth never seen before or since. He understood the value of history and tradition, establishing and celebrating 1785 as our founding date and developing our coat of arms and official flag. Over a 16-year period, he transformed UNB from a small provincial college into a comprehensive university with national profile. He is as much a founder of UNB as Ward Chipman, William Payne or Sir Howard Douglas. Indeed, he is the founder of the modern-day UNB.

— John D. MacLaughlin, UNB President and Vice Chancellor

Born in Rothesay, N.B., in 1920, Colin B. Mackay was the son of respected lumber merchant Colin Mackay. His mother's father, H.S. Bridges was a professor of classics at UNB, and his mother was born in UNB's Old Arts Building.

He received his early education at the Rothesay Collegiate School, following which he attended UNB and graduated in 1942 with a BA.

Dr. Mackay served with the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War and commanded a landing craft on the beaches of Normandy during the invasion of Europe.

Following the war, he entered Harvard Law School, transferred to the University of British Columbia and graduated with a bachelor of laws in 1949. Dr. Mackay joined the Saint John law firm of Gilbert & McGloan and was a lecturer in UNB's faculty of law.

At the age of 33, he was appointed president of the University of New Brunswick, the youngest university president in Canada at that time.

During his years as president, Dr. Mackay oversaw a period of extraordinary growth: enrolment increased 525 per cent, from 767 to 4,792; the faculty increased from 70 to 318; the Saint John campus was established; there was unprecedented development on the Fredericton campus; the Law School in Saint John and St. Thomas University in Chatham both relocated to the Fredericton campus; a plethora of new faculties and programs were created; and the university's budget grew from less than $1 million to $13 million. University governance also changed dramatically to include student input and participation in all areas of university life.

Dr. Mackay was involved in every facet of university life and worked closely with Lord Beaverbrook, chancellor of UNB, to transform the university into a comprehensive, national institution.

Dr. Mackay concluded his presidency in 1969 and in 1971 accepted an appointment as executive director of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada.

He also became active in international affairs, serving on several Canadian delegations to the United Nations and working as an adviser to the Canadian International Development Agency. He helped to foster institutions of higher education in five African nations and in 1980 chaired the evaluation mission of the United Nations Educational and Training Program for Southern Africa.

An Officer of the Order of Canada and Queen's Counsel, Dr. Mackay received honorary degrees from Mount Allison, UNB, Dalhousie, St. Dunstan's, St. Thomas, Memorial, Western, Colby College, the University of Maine, Laval, and the universities of Botswana, Swaziland and Lesotho.

In 1978 he became UNB's first president emeritus. His extensive record of professional and community service demonstrated his commitment to the community and to society.

Throughout his life, Dr. Mackay remained involved in the life of the university, maintaining an office on the Saint John campus. He was an adviser to his successors and a dedicated supporter of the institution.

Dr. Mackay was predeceased by his wife, Mary Ives (Anglin) in November 2001. He is survived by his sister, Janet Hart of Vancouver, and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Donations in his memory may be made to the H.S. Bridges Scholarship, established in honour of Dr. Mackay's grandfather, at the University of New Brunswick.

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