Donald Ipperciel, Principal de Glendon

What a special year 2016 was for Glendon and its Glendonites! A half-century ago, a Canadian Prime Minister inaugurated an institution that had no parallel. It was an experiment in Canadian identity and nation building. Its first principal believed that it was possible to shape the next generation of leaders (alteri saeculo) on the basis of a bilingual liberal arts education and an ethos of excellence. Graduates would be well-rounded individuals who could think and express themselves clearly on Canadian and international matters. They would exemplify the virtues of Canadianness.

In the first decade or so, the experiment seemed to falter. Glendon struggled to attract Francophone students and the two solitudes seemed as far apart as ever. The resolve of former administrators and the unshakable belief of incoming students, today’s alumni, in Glendon’s mission, eventually won the day, and Glendon became a success story.

Today, Glendon is still without parallel. It is a source of pride for those who have had the opportunity to walk its halls. Glendon is for many a true alma mater, a “fostering mother” that helped bring about an intellectual coming of age and laid the ground work for personal and professional growth. It is also a community where many have made life-long friends.

I, for my part, am proud to have the honour of leading Glendon into its second half-century. I will dedicate my mandate to upholding Glendon’s ideals, making sure that another generation will be prepared for leading the nation in both official languages.

Congratulations to Glendon on its golden jubilee!

 

 

By Richard Caumartin, published in Le Métropolitain on October 19, 2016