Lakehead announces William G. Tamblyn Legacy Society at Art Gallery opening
September 1, 2016 – Orillia, ON
Today, Lakehead University announced the new William G. Tamblyn Legacy Society and opened a new art gallery space at its University Avenue campus.
Community leaders and friends of the University gathered to learn about the new initiative and view the unveiling of the New Sun Art Gallery, located in the Alumni Commons, Simcoe Hall.
The University’s Legacy Society was launched last fall at a special reception on the Thunder Bay campus where it was named in recognition of William G. Tamblyn, the University’s founding President and Vice-Chancellor. The Society is an honorary organization created to recognize and thank donors who make a financial commitment in their estate plan to support the University.
David Tamblyn, incoming Chair of the Lakehead University Board of Governors and son of William G. Tamblyn, spoke on behalf of the Tamblyn family. “We are honoured to have the Legacy Society named in memory of my father, and we are all very proud of the long affiliation our family has had with the University,” said David Tamblyn. “It is my sincere hope that the Legacy Society will become an integral part of the future of Lakehead University, and the opening of this beautiful gallery today is a wonderful indication of this already happening here at the Orillia campus.”
Members of the Tamblyn family are pictured (l-r): Sarah Hagman, David Tamblyn, Lukas Hagman, Dick Hagman, Sally Hagman, Anders Hagman, and Mugs Tamblyn, with Lakehead President & Vice-Chancellor Dr. Brian Stevenson.
“We are proud to unveil this new gallery space that is named in honour of Joy Harvie Maclaren, whose legacy gift supported its establishment, and makes her the inaugural member of the University’s Legacy Society supporting the Orillia campus,” said Lakehead University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Brian Stevenson.
Joy Harvie Maclaren, who died in 2014 at the age of 92, was a long-time supporter of Lakehead Orillia and the city of Orillia, where her father was born. She had a lifelong interest in promoting education, particularly for Aboriginal youth. She was given the honorary title of “New Sun” by the Mohawk, Ojibway, and Blackfoot in recognition of her work for First Nations communities across Canada.
“Joy was thrilled to learn that Lakehead University would build a campus on the property that was, in part, the location of her family’s homestead,” said Patricia Harvie, cousin of Maclaren. “She was passionate about education throughout her life, and she would have been so proud to have her name associated with this beautiful space.”
“Joy was a great benefactor to Lakehead Orillia,” said Orillia Campus Principal Kim Fedderson. “Without her vision and support, the campus would not have grown from its modest beginnings to what it is today. With the generous support of the Harvie family, Joy established the Harvie Legacy Library, located in our Learning Commons, as well as scholarships for Aboriginal students attending Lakehead Orillia. Now, Joy’s legacy is not only helping us to provide a beautiful and valued study space for students, but is helping us to promote arts and culture in the community she was so fond of.”
Patricia Harvie, Joy Harvie Maclaren's cousin, with her husband George Garlock, accepts a photo memento from Lakehead University President & Vice-Chancellor Dr. Brian Stevenson.
The art gallery currently features works from the University’s Michano collection of Aboriginal art, including those of Morrisseau, Henry, and Schilling, as well as artwork by Audrey Garwood, donated to the University by Patricia Harvie.
The New Sun Art Gallery will be featured as part of the Doors Open Orillia/Culture Days on September 30 (12 noon – 7 pm) when members of the public are encouraged to visit.
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