The man who lived history

Kenneth & Grace Penrose

Kenneth Penrose, a student at 64, fascinated his young classmates in the 1980s. At his death, he left a lasting legacy for the Glendon School of Public and International Affairs in honor of his beloved wife. 

It was during a 1983 Glendon history class that a mature student named Kenneth Penrose proved that experience really counts in the classroom. “We were studying modern British history,” remembers Albert Tucker, professor emeritus of history and former Glendon principal. “I was trying to impress upon the students the importance of the class system.” Mr. Penrose stepped forward with the story of his first job as a footman to the British aristocracy. His classmates were riveted.

A 64-year-old retiree in a sea of classmates in their twenties, Kenneth Penrose (BA ’85, history; BA ’88, political science) was a standout during his years as a Glendon student in the 1980s. For all the right reasons, says Prof. Tucker. “He didn’t have a secondary school education, but he was ever confident that he had much to contribute to our discussions.” Born in London, England in 1919, Mr. Penrose served in the British Royal Navy before marrying his wife Grace and immigrating to Canada in the 1940s. The couple settled in Don Mills and Mr. Penrose worked for Bell Canada until his retirement. They never had children, but Kenneth’s grand-niece, Chantal Penrose (BA ’11, international studies) is also a Glendon grad.

Years after Mr. Penrose’s graduation, during weekly dinners at a Toronto Chinese food restaurant, he told Prof. Tucker that his years at Glendon were some of the most enjoyable and important of his life.

When the Glendon alumnus died in January 2011 at the age of 91, he showed how grateful he was for his education. He left a $100,000 bequest in his name and that of his late wife Grace, which soon became a $300,000 fund thanks to a program of matching funds available from the University and provincial government for graduate scholarships. These programs were discontinued in December 2011, but the bequest was matched at full benefit to help graduate students in the School of Public and International Affairs for generations to come. The Kenneth and Grace Penrose Scholarship will provide approximately $12,500 a year each for two outstanding graduate students in the school.

“We talked often about Kenneth’s wish to leave a legacy,” says Prof. Tucker. “This gift is a reflection of both his memory and enjoyment of Glendon and his deep love for his wife.”