(Left: Prof. Robert Cuff, who died of a stroke, in November 2001)
Two graduate students in history, Jason Reid and Catherine Grant, are the first recipients of the Robert Cuff Fellowship. Prof. Molly Ladd-Taylor, Department of History, Faculty of Arts, announced their names at a recent reception held at Founders College. Robert Cuff, professor of history died suddenly of a stroke, in November 2001.
The following article about the new fellowship was sent to YFile by Carrie Brodi, communications officer with the York University Foundation.
Robert Cuff, internationally-recognized scholar and York faculty member, left a lasting impression on York students and colleagues. During his more than 30 years as professor of history at York, and faculty member at the Schulich School of Business, Cuff built a reputation as a caring teacher and a pre-eminent scholar in his chosen field: the mobilization of modern economies for war.
“Bob was a distinguished scholar,” said Prof. Marc Egnal, Department of History, Faculty of Arts, at a reception in Founders College to celebrate the inauguration of the Robert Cuff Fellowship through the York University Foundation. “But even more than that, Bob was a kind, caring individual, and the epitome of decency and fair-mindedness. Those who knew him also delighted in his wry sense of humour.”
“This endowment will be a lasting tribute to Bob’s memory,” said Robert Drummond, dean of the Faculty of Arts.
More than 60 individuals, including his children Catherine, Peter and Christine, contributed generously to a fund that established a graduate travel fellowship for history and Schulich students. Catherine and Peter were among the many guests at the reception.