Showing 11 results

authority records
George C. Wootton
DCA005 · Person · 1934 - ca. 2010

Dr. George C. Wootton served as principal of Douglas College from its inception in 1969 until 1979. Born in Saskatchewan and raised in British Columbia, Wootton graduated from North Vancouver High School and received his BSc, MASc, and PhD (in metallurgical engineering) from the University of British Columbia. Before his appointment to Douglas College, he worked for the Department of Mines in Ottawa, Atomic Energy Canada in Chalk River, and Seneca College in Toronto where served as Dean of Engineering.

During Wootton's tenure at Douglas College, satellite campuses were added in Delta, Langley, Maple Ridge, Port Moody, Coquitlam, Pitt meadows, and White Rock. His principalship saw the development of career programs in the area of psychiatric nursing, clinical health, child care, and community service work. Other programs initiated during this time were in the fields of criminal justice, women's studies, graphic arts, theatre, and environmental studies.

Wootton left Douglas College in 1979 to become director of the Vancouver Public Library.

Lillian Zimmerman
DCA011 · Person · ca. 1925 -

Lillian Zimmerman joined Douglas College in 1971 as a programmer for the Liberal Arts Division with the expressed desire to develop credit-free courses in the area of continuing education for women. Beginning in 1972, she worked with staff from the Counselling department to offer workshops and inter-disciplinary evening courses, which proved popular. In 1974, she was elected to the position of "Convenor" of Women's Studies at Douglas College. Zimmerman held this role until 1978 when she took a leave from College in order to complete a Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) from the University of British Columbia. Following her return to Douglas College, Zimmerman worked as a regular faculty member in Human Services and Community Programs. She became the Chair of Community Programs and Services in 1990 before retiring in 1991. Subsequent to her retirement from Douglas College, Zimmerman became a renowned advocate for the rights and dignity of middle-aged and older women. She was a Research Associate in Gender Issues at Simon Fraser University's Gerontology Research Centre, contributing significantly to the field and publishing multiple books on this topic including “Bag Lady or Powerhouse?: A Roadmap for Midlife (Boomer) Women” and “Did You Just Call Me Old Lady? A 90-Year-Old Tells Why Aging Is Positive.”

Margaretha Hoek
DCA012 · Person

Margaretha Hoek first joined the College in 1975 as a sessional faculty member in the Counselling Department, where she taught a number of courses and workshops focused on the issues and experiences of women. In 1978, Hoek was hired as Coordinator of Programs for Women (at times the position was also referred to as Coordinator of Women's Studies). She held this position until 1985.

Bill Day
DCA015 · Person · 1933 -

William (Bill) Day was among the first employees of Douglas College. Hired in 1970, he originally served as Dean of Continuing Education until 1975 when he became Dean of Curriculum. In 1978, he became principal of the College's New Westminster campus and in 1981 he was appointed President of Douglas College, a position he held until retiring in 1995.

Bill Morfey
DCA019 · Person · ca. 1925 - 1990

M.H. (Bill) Morfey was the College's first staff employee, hired in October 1969 as Secretary-Treasurer. His title and role changed to College Bursar shortly thereafter. Together with Principal George Wootton, Morfey was responsible for establishing the College's first education plan, hiring senior staff, and developing the first budget. Prior to joining the nascent educational institution, Morfey was an accountant with Canadian Industries Limited. He managed the College's financial affairs until his retirement in 1988. That year, the M.H. (Bill) Morfey Scholarship was created in honour of his service to the College since its very beginning.

Morfey died in January 1990.

Public Information Office
DCA020 · Person · 1970 - 1996

Since the college's opening in 1970 until a name change in the late 1990s, the Public Information Office (PIO) was responsible for promoting the institution both within the campus community and throughout the Lower Mainland. The PIO shared information about programming and events, working with the administration and other internal stakeholders to develop and promote the College's public image. The office produced advertisements, drafted speeches and press releases, designed posters and brochures, and publicized the accomplishments of faculty, staff, and students. William Bell led the PIO as Public Information Officer from the early 1970s until 1992. He was succeeded by Brad Barber.

In 1996, the Public Information Office became the Communications and Marketing Office.

Marlene Hancock
DCA024 · Person

Marlene Hancock first joined the College as a contract political science professor in 1988, becoming a regular faculty member three years later. She had a longstanding academic interest in Middle East history and politics, having traveled extensively in Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan during her youth. Her Master's thesis in political science from Simon Fraser University (1982) focused on political development in Saudi Arabia.

Starting in 1997, she travelled to Egypt on five separate occasions with groups of students participating in the model United Nations conference hosted by the American University of Cairo. It was after the first such trip that Hancock organized and served as faculty advisor of the Douglas College International Model United Nations (DOUGIMUN).

In 2005, she travelled to Jordan as a guest of the Jordanian government, meeting with government officials and visiting a Palestinian refugee camp.

Hancock taught at Douglas College until her retirement. She died in 2017.

George Porges
DCA026 · Person · ca. 1921 - 2004

Born in Vienna (ca. 1921), George Porges was a World War II veteran who came to Canada in 1951. He studied history in Montreal at Sir George William University, and later received his B.Ed and M.A. from the University of Alberta. He taught high school in Edmonton prior to joining the Department of Liberal Studies at the newly created Douglas College in 1970. Porges taught history as a regular faculty member until his retirement in 1988.

Porges died in 2004 at the age of 83.

Andy Andrews
DCA027 · Person · 1920 - 2000

Born in England in 1920, Harold Norman "Andy" Andrews was a veteran of the Second World War, during which he participated in the 6th Airborne Division D-Day landings in Normandy. After the war, Andrews completed his studies in engineering and immigrated to Canada. He worked with the Royal Canadian Engineers and in 1967 he was the Canadian Forces Liaison to the Winnipeg Pan-American Games.

In 1972, Andrews joined Douglas College as the Chairman (and later Director) of Program Development until 1979 when he was appointed Vice-Principal of McBride Campus in New Westminster. He held this position for two years, at which time he became the Director of Program Planning and Development. He retired in 1984.

Upon his death in 2000, Andrews' family established the Andy and Helen Andrews Memorial Award for students who demonstrate both athletic and academic achievement.

Albert Atkinson
DCA028 · Person

Albert L. Atkinson joined Douglas College in 1982 as Director, Student Services & Developmental Education. In 1989, he became the Dean of Educational and Student Services, a position he held until 1995, when he was appointed Vice-President, Educational Services. Atkinson was in this role until his retirement in 2004. Atkinson was a member of the Douglas College Foundation (1991) and the Education Council (1994-1995, 1997-1999).

During his 32 years of service at Douglas, Atkinson championed the needs of students with disabilities or who face barriers to education and employment. As such, a bursary was established in his name at the time of his retirement for students engaged in Vocational Education and Skills Training, or VEST, (formerly known as Adult Special Education) programs.

Blaine Jensen
DCA029 · Person

Blaine Jensen joined Douglas College in June 2004 when he succeeded Albert Atkinson as Vice President, Educational Services. He held this position until May 2015. Prior to arriving at Douglas College, Jensen held administrative positions at the University of Prince Edward Island and the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology.