Brandon University will be the venue for a memorial reception in honour and memory of the late Dr. Harold (Jack) Perkins, a former President and Vice-Chancellor at BU.

On Friday, July 26, Dr. Perkins passed away peacefully at the age of 89. An obituary is available online at https://www.brockiedonovan.com/obituaries/Harold-Jack-Perkins/#!/Obituary

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10 at St. Matthew’s Cathedral at 403–13th Street in Brandon. Following the service, a reception will be held at BU’s Harvest Hall, beginning at 12 noon. All are welcome to attend.

“It is our honour to welcome Jack’s family, friends, and colleagues to campus as we come together to share our stories and our memories and to offer our condolences,” said current BU President Dr. David Docherty. “Today, we all continue to benefit from Jack’s vision and his devotion to BU, and so along with our condolences I also say thank you, on behalf of the entire BU community, for the legacy he has left us.”

Dr. Perkins, who led BU from 1977 through 1983, and who returned as a full professor in the Faculty of Education from 1986 through to his retirement in 1998, made a deep and significant impact at the University.

“Dad was very passionate about the success of Brandon University and believed that, with the right resources, the university could achieve anything,” said his son, Dave Perkins. “We, his family, are very proud of his accomplishments, thrilled that the university is willing to help us celebrate his life in the institution that he loved, and honoured that Brandon University recognizes his contribution to the university.”

During his time as President, Dr. Perkins was instrumental in creating the Brandon University Foundation — the charitable arm of BU that today stewards more than $65 million in endowments and other assets, and which has disbursed more than $55 million to Brandon University to support scholarship, research and the improvement of University facilities and activities. Together with his wife Mary Louise, Dr. Perkins also established a scholarship fund in the School of Music, and in 1999 he was awarded the Foundation’s Apex Award for his outstanding service.

“Dr. Perkins saw financial need in his student population,” said BU Foundation President Rob McLennan. “The results of his vision and leadership in the establishment of the Foundation saw some 535 happy BU students receive bursaries and scholarships last year. Can you imagine his expectations for the future?”

Dr. Perkins was also instrumental in expanding the academic offerings of the university, including, among others, establishing the Master of Music degree. He was a strong supporter of the BU Bobcat athletic teams and was passionate about the performing arts, attending many concerts, recitals and other events.

At the reception on Saturday, Dr. Perkins’ family will be presenting back to the University a plaque that he had received from the BU Foundation several years ago, as well as his Apex Award plaque. These will be permanently displayed on campus.

At the request of the family, gifts in memory of Dr. Perkins may be made to Brandon University Foundation by mail to 270–18th Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 6A9, online at BrandonU.ca/Give, or by phone to 204-727-7374.