GRADUATION BREAKFAST
James (Jim) Bayer served as Dean of the School of Physical Education and Recreation, and as Director of Athletics from 1977 until 1985. He very much enjoyed, and valued the benefits of, social gatherings involving student, staff, faculty and when possible their families. Sadly, at age 47, he passed away from cancer during the Fall of 1985, and therefore it seemed appropriate the following Spring, to hold a gathering of the graduating students and their families to remember him. John Murphy, Director of the Fundy Mental Health Centre where Jim’s widow Margaret was employed, provided funding for a one time cash award to recognize a deserving student in Jim’s memory. The ceremony was held in the Student Union Building on Graduation morning, with tea and pastries. The award was presented to Laurie Dickson, the graduating student thought to best embody the characteristics that so many admired in Jim.
The students at the time wished to create a lasting memorial to Jim, and so raised the funds necessary to create the James D Bayer Award, to be given out on Graduation day to student who best embodied the traits that they so admired in Jim. The Centre of Leisure Studies sponsored an annual breakfast during which the award would be presented. Although the plaque was first presented in 1987 to Ms Carol Schurman, Laurie Dickson is considered to be the first James D Bayer Award winner. Every graduation morning since, graduating students and their families, staff, faculty and other invited guests gather to share breakfast, to hear about the legacy of Jim Bayer, to honour a deserving student, and to hear a valedictory address given by one of the graduates.
In the early 1990’s, the School of Physical Education and Recreation assumed funding responsibility for the breakfast. Soon afterwards, a similar event was established for the Physical Education graduates, and now some other units on campus have followed suit. In the early years, the breakfast was continental and served in the Student Union Building, facilitating the mixing and mingling of participants. Once it was taken over by the School, it became more of a formal event, held in Wheelock Hall. Annually, Recreation Management and Physical Education would alternate who would hold their event earlier, with a hot breakfast being served. For the other unit, the continental style breakfast would occur mid morning, consisting of beverages and pastries.
This was the only opportunity for many of the graduates to meet one another’s family members, and for staff and faculty to meet the families of the young men and women with whom they had shared learning over the previous few years. It brought a sense of closure for the students, staff, and faculty that was otherwise lacking. Previous to this, people would disperse immediately following the graduation ceremony and there was no opportunity to extend proper congratulations and bid farewell to the graduates.
For further information on the James Bayer, the award, and the recipients, see the “People” section of the site.
The students at the time wished to create a lasting memorial to Jim, and so raised the funds necessary to create the James D Bayer Award, to be given out on Graduation day to student who best embodied the traits that they so admired in Jim. The Centre of Leisure Studies sponsored an annual breakfast during which the award would be presented. Although the plaque was first presented in 1987 to Ms Carol Schurman, Laurie Dickson is considered to be the first James D Bayer Award winner. Every graduation morning since, graduating students and their families, staff, faculty and other invited guests gather to share breakfast, to hear about the legacy of Jim Bayer, to honour a deserving student, and to hear a valedictory address given by one of the graduates.
In the early 1990’s, the School of Physical Education and Recreation assumed funding responsibility for the breakfast. Soon afterwards, a similar event was established for the Physical Education graduates, and now some other units on campus have followed suit. In the early years, the breakfast was continental and served in the Student Union Building, facilitating the mixing and mingling of participants. Once it was taken over by the School, it became more of a formal event, held in Wheelock Hall. Annually, Recreation Management and Physical Education would alternate who would hold their event earlier, with a hot breakfast being served. For the other unit, the continental style breakfast would occur mid morning, consisting of beverages and pastries.
This was the only opportunity for many of the graduates to meet one another’s family members, and for staff and faculty to meet the families of the young men and women with whom they had shared learning over the previous few years. It brought a sense of closure for the students, staff, and faculty that was otherwise lacking. Previous to this, people would disperse immediately following the graduation ceremony and there was no opportunity to extend proper congratulations and bid farewell to the graduates.
For further information on the James Bayer, the award, and the recipients, see the “People” section of the site.