McMaster University has named leading Canadian historian H.V. (Viv) Nelles to the newly-created position of L.R. Wilson Professor in Canadian History, reported The Hamilton Spectator July 8. Nelles, author of A Little History of Canada, was appointed July 1. He has been a professor of history at York since 1970 and was appointed Distinguished Research Professor of History at York in June 2001. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (1985), Nelles has been a visiting professor at Harvard University and Tskuba and Keio Universities in Japan.
The history Chair at McMaster is named in honour of Lynton (Red) Wilson, who donated $1 million to establish it. As part of his role, Nelles will work with an interdisciplinary advisory board to develop history seminars, annual conferences, lectureships and an annual juried book competition to name the best book on Canadian history.
Canada set to battle France
Canada’s rugby team, ranked 13th in the world, will face third-ranked France at York University Stadium on July 10, reported The Globe and Mail and Canadian Press July 8. Canada, which has a 2-2 record under new coach Ric Suggitt, reached the final of the super powers cup, in which Japan had to come from behind to win in the second half. France is the reigning six nations grand slam champion and is building toward the next world cup, at home in 2007. France was fourth in the last world cup. France is all professionally manned, while two-thirds of the Canadian players are amateurs.
The Globe also noted in a separate story that spectators who gather early at the York University Stadium for the Canada-France Rugby International Match will get a glimpse into the future of the sport – a Canadian super league for women. Currently, the super league concept is a project being developed regionally in Ontario, Quebec and Alberta. There are 6,500 female players registered with Rugby Canada.
On air
- Robert Drummond, political science professor and dean of York’s Faculty of Arts, answered questions from callers about the federal election, on CBC Radio’s “Info Morning” in Saint John, New Brunswick, July 7.
- Leo Adler, who lectures in trial practice at York’s Osgoode Hall Law School, commented on the case of convicted rapist Martin Ferrier, who is serving another two years in prison for breach of probation, on CBC Radio’s “Metro Morning” in Toronto July 8.