CCI Wall of Excellence Inductees 2012

In June 2012 at the CCI Graduation Ceremony five Central graduates were inducted into the Central Collegiate Institute Wall of Excellence:

Mr. Harold (Hal) Wyatt, CM, LLD (hon)

Graduated in 1939

Mr. Hal Wyatt was born in Moose Jaw and grew up playing an active role in community life and participating in all kinds of sports. Mr. Wyatt and his five siblings lived through the terrible challenges of the Great Depression that left few, if any, prairie families untouched.  He learned from an early age to work hard.

His strong work ethic and natural leadership abilities caught the attention of his high school principal, who arranged for him to interview for potential jobs at a radio station, a newspaper and a bank.  He opted for work as a junior clerk with the Royal Bank of Canada at a branch in the nearby community of Eyebrow.  It was a choice that would eventually take him around the world and through to the highest ranks of the organization.

He built a reputation as an insightful leader who willingly offered his guidance and experience to people coming up behind him and who enjoyed helping to turn fledgling businesses into strong economic contributors.  After a successful career in banking, Mr. Wyatt retired but his schedule remains filled with volunteer duties and commitments.

Mr. Wyatt’s longstanding interest in sports prompted him to serve as a trustee for the Schenley Awards, which celebrate excellence in Canadian professional football. 

For his volunteer service, Mr. Wyatt was named a “Member of the Order of Canada” and has been recognized with the Distinguished Citizen Award from Mount Royal College.  He received an Honourary Doctorate of Law degree from the University of Saskatchewan, the Canada 125 Commemorative Medal and the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal. 

When asked to describe himself, Mr. Wyatt humbly suggests that he’s simply been blessed with great health, opportunities and the experiences life has allowed him to enjoy.

From Mr. Wyatt’s record card we learn he too had some pretty good marks, getting progressively better as he moved through HS.  He lived at 1040 Henleaze Ave. and attended King George in Elementary School. At Central in his Grade XII year, he served as Editor of the Outlook.


Mr. Donald Wickens

Graduated in 1939

Mr. Wickens grew up in Moose Jaw and graduated from Central Collegiate just prior to the war breaking out.  He enlisted in Regina, 10 April 1942, just three years out of HS. 

Mr. Wickens was dispatched overseas in April, 1943.  As a navigator, he flew 44 missions, including D-Day.  It is written that:

Flying Officer Wickens completed a tour of operations, several of which were against heavily defended targets in Germany.  In March 1944, during an attack on a French target, his aircraft was attacked by night fighters with the result - that the flight engineer was wounded, two engines were severely damaged and the petrol tanks holed.  This necessitated an emergency landing as soon as this country was reached.  This officer displayed courage, determination and high navigational skill under hazardous circumstances.  He has proved himself to be a cool and highly efficient navigator.  Throughout his devotion to duty in the face of enemy opposition and adverse weather is meritorious.

Mr. Donald Wickens was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross Medal for his heroic efforts in WWII and he is another selfless individual who served his country during the 2nd World War.

From Mr. Wicken's record card we learn that he grew up at 1142 3rd Avenue N.W.  In Grade 9 he took Latin, French and German.  It further states his ambition was to be a banker.  His grades were very good - lots of 80’s and 90’s in fact, on one Easter Report card he had 100% in Algebra.  In his graduating year, he was President of the Student Body.


Mr. Garth Hampson

Graduated in 1954

Mr. Hampson was born and raised in Moose Jaw.  After graduating from Central he then attended the Regina Conservatory of Music and in 1955 he joined the RCMP where he began a 34 year career.

In 1964 he transferred to Ottawa and given his passion and talent for music, he became a vocalist with the RCMP Band, travelling to every area of Canada and to numerous other countries in the world.

As a member of the RCMP - and into retirement - he has raised significant amount of monies for MS, ALS, Crime Stoppers, the Salvation Army, Operation Go Home and the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario.  As a founding member of “Plus Six in Song”, an English Music Hall group, he and his team have raised in excess of $200,000.00 for charity organizations over a 13 year period.

Throughout his career he has performed at special events including NHL and CFL games as well as regularly taking part in the Order of Canada ceremonies at Rideau Hall.

Mr. Hampson has voluntarily performed in Moose Jaw on 2 occasions to raise funds for The Mae Wilson Theater and St. Aiden’s Anglican Church.  Mr. Hampson has resided in Ottawa for the past 46 years where he continues to be involved in volunteer fundraising activities.

AWARDS AND HONORS RECEIVED – there are 16 listed but to highlight a few:

* Honorary Doctorate from Laurentian University
* Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal
* Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal
* RCMP Long Service Medal with Bar
* 2000 – the Wolf Award from the Aboriginal community for years of assistance in promoting native cultural programs
* Board member of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario.  Board member of Crime Stoppers and the Upper Canada Playhouse
* Recently appointed by the  Federal Government to serve on a committee responsible for allocating funding assistance for the Arts

On Mr. Hampson’s student record card it shows his hobbies as building and music, serving as the School Song Leader in the 1951-52 School Year.


Mr. Barrie Wigmore

Graduated in 1958

Mr. Barrie Wigmore was born and raised in Moose Jaw and, after graduating from CCI, went on to earn degrees at the University of Saskatchewan, University of Oregon and Oxford University.   He has an Honorary Doctor of Law Degree from the University of Saskatchewan.

Mr. Wigmore moved to the United States in 1970 to work for the investment bankers - Goldman, Sachs, & Co.,.  He founded the firm's public utility department dealing with electric and gas utilities, telephone companies and natural gas pipelines around the world and eventually became a partner in 1978.  The author of two books, as well as numerous academic articles on financial history, Mr. Wigmore was a director of the Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan from 1989-2002, and is currently a trustee of the Metropolitan Museum.

Although he retired in 1988, he remains a major benefactor of the University of Saskatchewan and has been named as one of their “100 Alumni of Influence”.   He and his wife Deedee through their “Barrie and Deedee Wigmore Foundation”, have supported many institutions and causes, including, the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre, the Saskatchewan Festival of Words, the Canadian Museum of Civilization (King Wheat Exhibit) and numerous other organizations.

While in HS, Mr. Wigmore participated in Football, Basketball, Baseball, spent time at the “Y”, worked as a grocery boy was the first Vice President of the Student Body in the 1956-57 School Year and was an Honour Roll student.


Dr. Elaine Golds

Graduated in 1961

Dr.  Elaine E Golds presently lives in Port Moody British Columbia with her partner Dr. Bruce Brandhorst  and we are told, shows no sign of slowing or retiring from her volunteer work.

She is an active worker and supporter of the environment.  She has worked tirelessly, in fact some have said relentlessly, to protect the many precious aspects of our planet.   As a volunteer, she puts in more time with volunteer work than some people do with a full-time job.  

Dr. Golds holds a Ph.D. in biology and has made significant contributions to salmon restoration and preventing irreversible and extensive destruction to lands and forest, to water, and to fish habitat.  She is well-known and much respected for her solution focused approach to problems.

One issue that remains a priority to Dr. Golds is the protection of wetlands – and in her mind, this is of equal importance to the protection of salmon streams

Elaine  Golds is a gracious individual, stating that, “In all of her activities and efforts, it has been her pleasure to meet and work with many other volunteers who are also willing to commit to long hours to help keep our ecosystems healthy and our future more sustainable.  I have had the pleasure to work with down-to-earth people who know the value of teamwork, are brimming with common sense and filled with an appreciation for the natural world.  They all have been keen observers of nature whether it was an ominous prairie sky threatening a blizzard, an unanticipated lab result point in a new direction or an elusive sighting of an unusual species”.  She is also grateful to her husband in fact she says she is, “Most indebted to her husband for his enduring support, financial and otherwise, for many years.

In reading her personal Bio she actually offers some advice that seems fitting at a graduation: “What directs us along our path through life?  Is it nature or nurture?  I know my friends and colleagues have been tremendously important to me.  All I have learned has come from them or from my reading.  I have been sustained by their company and comforted by their wisdom”.  Good advice graduates.

On Dr. Golds’ record card, we see some great marks, in fact Dr. Golds was a four year honour roll student.  In Grade XII she was awarded the Governor General’s Medal and she received the Reader’s Digest Award for having the Highest Standing in Grade XII. 

Wall of Excellence Inductees 2010 Anniversary Reunion

Mr. David Neil Hossie

Graduated in 1909 - Rhodes Scholar

David Neil Hossie DSO KC MA was born at Sarnia Ontario (ON), son of David Walker Hossie of Sarnia and Sarah (Crone) Hossie of Birnham ON. He was educated at Moose Jaw Collegiate Institute, University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon and at Oxford University England where he received his BA and his MA degrees.

In WW1, Hossie served with King Edward's Horse in 1914 and in France, with the Royal Canadian Artillery from 1915 to 1919. He was "Mentioned in Despatches" three times and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for conspicuous gallantry. Hossie also served in Macedonia and received from Serbia, the Order of the White Eagle with swords.

After WW1, Hossie went to Vancouver, British Columbia and in December 1919 was called to the Bar of British Columbia. He practiced law with Davis, Hossie, Lett, Marshall & McLorg and at one time served as Chairman of the Vancouver General Hospital. In 1932 Hossie was named King's Counsel (KC) for British Columbia.


Mr. K. A. Hamilton

Graduated in 1917 - Rhodes Scholar

Mr. Hamilton was Central’s second Rhodes Scholar.  He graduated from the University of Toronto in medical and biological science.  He was awarded the Rhodes Scholarship in 1920 and spent three years at Oxford obtaining the highest medical degree obtainable in the Empire - Only 1500 of such degrees had been awarded and one-half of those receiving this distinction had been Knighted.   He went on to become a medical practitioner in Edmonton and a special lecturer at the University of Alberta.


Mr. George F. Curtis

Graduated in 1924 - Rhodes Scholar

After Graduating from Central in 1924, Mr. George Curtis began articling with the Law Firm of N.R. Craig in Moose Jaw then received his Law Degree from the University of Saskatchewan.  He later did his Graduate work at Oxford, getting his Bachelor of Arts and a Graduate Degree in Law.  Back in Saskatchewan, he worked as an Executive Assistant to the Attorney General and was appointed as assistant legislative council and learned how to draft legislation.   He later taught law at Dalhousie and prior to retirement, started a Law School in British Columbia to support our returning war veterans.


Mr. E. R. Hopkins

Graduated in 1925 - Rhodes Scholar

When Mr. Hopkins went off to Oxford, he was one of just 12 Canadians attending Oxford.  In a copy of the MJ Times Herald dated, September 15, 1932, it is stated that, “No city of equal size in Canada can claim distinction in matters of scholarship with the city of Moose Jaw… four citizens have received the Rhodes Scholarship entitling them to study in Oxford”.  Mr. Hopkins secured his Law Degree while attending Oxford, graduating with ‘High Distinction’.  He was a man described as, “…capable of strong leadership and sterling personal character”.


Mr. William McIntyre

Mr. McIntyre attended King George Elementary School and Central Collegiate Institute, graduating from Central in 1936. After serving overseas in World War II, he earned a Bachelor of Law Degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 1946.  In 1947, he was called to the Bars of Saskatchewan and British Columbia and practiced law in Victoria, British Columbia.  In 1967, he was appointed to the Supreme Court of British Columbia and elevated to the British Columbia Court of Appeal in 1973.   Mr. McIntyre played a key role at a critical time in Canadian Constitutional history as the Bench sought to give the new Charter life and legal authority.   In 1979, he was appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada where he faithfully served until his retirement in 1989.  To cap his illustrious career, in 1991, he was made a Companion of the Order of Canada.


Mr. Allan Slaight

Mr. Allan Slaight graduated from Central Collegiate in 1948 and began a career in broadcasting. 
He learned his craft from the ground up, starting out as an announcer for a small radio station in Moose Jaw.  In 1970, he established his own company, Slaight Broadcasting, and in the years since then, has expanded his business interests steadily.   Mr. Slaight was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer - of the largest…privately owned communications firm in Canada… Standard Broadcasting Corporation… and he epitomizes… the entrepreneurial spirit.   A generous - philanthropist, he quietly supports individual artists and several organizations including the Shaw Festival, the Women's College Hospital and the United Way of Toronto.  I have read articles describing him as a gentle, humble man with a passion for music.  Mr. Slaight was one of the founders of the Toronto Raptors and is one of the people responsible for bringing an NBA team to Toronto. 
He was inducted into the Canadian Association of Broadcasters’ Hall of Fame in 1997 and was appointed a member of the Order of Canada in May of 2001.


Mr. Harley Brown

Mr. Harley Brown is an accomplished artist who began his career completing commissioned portraits, including an official portrait of Winston Churchill and President Ronald Reagan which was painted for his 2nd inauguration.  Mr. Brown’s more recent work has emphasized Western style painting.   He is a member of the Tucson Seven Group of Artists and has been inducted into the Cowboy Hall of Fame.  Mr. Brown has also published numerous books including an internationally successful book titled, “Harley Brown’s Eternal Truths for Every Artist”.  He now travels the world portraying its inhabitants. He says that he’s pretty busy because he has about six billion more people to paint 
Interesting facts:
Harley painted former CCI Principal Mr. Max Ballard, whose portrait still hangs in our School Library.  I noted in a copy of the Times Herald dated (I think) 1964, that one of Mr. Brown’s teachers, Miss Way, said this about him…“Harley has a natural sense of design.  He was a very promising student, very interested in art and undertook much of the art work of the school while he was a student there”.  We also noted on his record card that he was ‘not very good in science’ but in Grade 10 he rec’d the “Most Promising Artist Award”, which was probably a good pick by the school.


Mr. Robert Currie

Mr. Robert Currie is the first of our inductees to be physically present with us here on stage…but just to let you know, these people were informed of this honour just yesterday so we have asked them to relax…no formal wear, no speech required, no formalities…just their presence and participation……I will provide their introduction but to let you know…they are not being disrespectful in any way when they don’t respond…they are simply doing what we have requested.  We truly want them to relax and enjoy the experience. 
After graduating from Central in 1956 Mr. Currie decided to enroll in the College of Pharmacy at the U of S but while doing guest lectures at the University, he discovered he loved teaching…..and it became his passion.  He received his Bachelor of Education Degree in 1966 and went on to enjoy a 30 year teaching career where he was admired and well-respected by his students and colleagues.  Three times during his teaching career he took leaves to pursue another passion - his writing.
He has been published in over 40 Anthologies, has done numerous public readings and now serves on the Board of the Saskatchewan Festival of Words.  In 1984 Mr. Currie was honoured by the Saskatchewan Writer’s Guild with a Founder’s Award and in 2004 he received the Guild’s Volunteer Leadership Award.  In 2006 he was named Saskatchewan’s third Poet Laureate and is this city’s Poet Laureate for life. 
From his permanent record card, housed deep in the basement of the Central Collegiate, we learned he received ‘High Standing’ in English in his Grade Nine year and that he aspired to be either a sports reporter or commercial artist.  (((His summer job was that of paper delivery boy and Bob…I know we are looking for a delivery boy on our block…interested??)))
We have a small token to present to you so you can remember this moment and we invite you to drop by the School in the fall to see your place on the Wall of Excellence.
 

Mr. Ron Graham

Mr. Ron Graham Graduated from Central in June of 1957 and was a classmate of Harley Brown.  Interestingly, his school record card shows him as aspiring to a career in construction and engineering.   In 1962, Mr. Graham graduated from the U. of S. with a degree in Civil Engineering.  He then began working for the family business - Graham Construction.  By 1980, with Ron at the helm, Graham Construction - became the largest construction company in Saskatchewan.  He went on to grow this family-owned business to an international, employee-owned company.  Provincially…Graham Construction has been involved in numerous large scale projects including Kalium, IPSCO Steel, and the Poplar River and Boundary Dam Generating Stations.   Graham Construction was also responsible for the restoration of St. Andrews Church following the large fire in Sixties.  Through the 1980’s, Graham Construction had numerous offices across Western Canada and the U.S. , and by 2006, Graham Construction had sales approaching the One Billion Dollar mark.
 While attending Central, Mr. Graham was a multi-sport athlete including starring on the basketball team and quarterbacking the football team.  Ron athleticism followed him to the University of Saskatchewan where he was involved heavily in Huskie athletics.  His passion and support of athletics is admirable as his donation to the University of Saskatchewan in support of academic and athletic excellence was the largest contribution to the University ever, by one of its alumni.


Mr. Robin Boadway

Graduated in 1960 - Rhodes Scholar

Mr. Robin Boadway is another of Central Collegiate’s Rhodes Scholars. In 1964 he earned a degree in Engineering at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario then studied economics at Oxford University on a Rhodes Scholarship.  Mr. Boadway was elected “Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada” in 1986.  He has done extensive research into public sector and welfare economics, with special emphasis on tax theory and policy.  Mr. Boadway has been published in numerous books, articles, policy papers and academic journals.  In addition, Mr. Boadway taught (teaches?) economics at Queen’s University, the same University at which he received his PhD.
Mr. Boadway was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2008 and was the distinguished CES Fellow at the University of Munich in 2009.  He is currently President of the International Institute of Public Finance. 
Going back in time…During the 1958-’59 School Year, Mr. Boadway was the Vice - President of the Student Body and had, at that time, aspired to play professional baseball or, enter the field of engineering or architecture. 


Ms. Pamela Wallin

Ms. Pamela Wallin has excelled as a journalist, entrepreneur, diplomat and volunteer.   One of Canada’s best know broadcasting personalities, she headed CTV’s Ottawa Bureau in the 1980s, a breakthrough role for a female.  Also the first female personality to co-anchor a nightly network television newscast, Ms. Wallin later founded her own company, acting as producer and host for current affairs programming that aired across the country.  More recently, Ms. Wallin was highly regarded as the Consul General for Canada in New York City, rebuilding critical trust after the horrific terrorist attack of September 11, 2001.  Generous with her time and knowledge, she helps to lead many organizations, including the Historica Foundation, Chancellor of the University of Guelph, Council of the Americas.  In 2009 Ms. Wallin was appointed to the Senate of Canada and is held in high regard by her peers, her colleagues and fellow Canadians. 
Ms. Wallin’s record card, also housed deep in the basement of CCI, shows that while in High School, she aspired to be a teacher.  It also shows her as a House Leader for the House of Alpha where she played volleyball and basketball.