Prof still counseling students at 95
No one is as surprised as Thelma Finlayson that at 95 she continues to carry on an active role at SFU, providing special counseling services to students. She’s quick to admit that the twice-a-week afternoon sessions “give me something to live for.”
“I’m amazingly well for my age,” says Finlayson, who officially ‘retired’ from SFU 30 years ago (1979). Friends and colleagues will pay tribute to her for reaching her latest milestone on June 29 at SFU’s Diamond Alumni Centre. “It’s wonderful that the university allows me to still be involved.”
She no longer drives but makes the trip from her Burnaby apartment to campus by taxi to meet with students experiencing academic difficulty. “It’s good for them to have an empathetic ear,” she says. “I’m there to listen. I’ll do that as long as I am able.”
Finlayson, an entomologist, is a founding member of SFU’s Centre for Pest Management and its graduate program. Over the years fewer students participated and the program was eventually phased out.
“Students back then had the unique experience of graduating with a Master of Pest Management (MPM) degree (now a Master of Science in Pest Management),” she recalls. “It set them apart.”
Finlayson had long since wanted to see the program revived and established an endowment to start the process. Her efforts led to the creation of a new Chair in Biological Control, filled last fall by Jenny Cory, who is known internationally in the field for her research on vascular viruses.
“I thought I’d have to die before this could happen,” muses Finlayson, who spent nearly 30 years with the federal Department of Agriculture’s Institute of Biological Control before starting her career as a teacher and researcher at SFU. “The chair will give the program some stability.”
As a researcher, Finlayson focused on larval taxonomy, specializing in the use of parasites as natural ways of controlling forest and agricultural pests. Her work and reputation led to two species of insects being named for her.
Finlayson was recognized with a YWCA Woman of Distinction award (2007) and an honorary degree from SFU (1996). She is a member of the Order of Canada and a fellow of the Entomological Society of Canada.
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Donald MacDonald
Dear Mrs. Finlayson,
I almost deleted this copy of the newsletter before reading it and am glad that I didn't. I am happy that you continue to help students as you always did when I was in your charge. I am sorry to hear that the MPM proram has been discontinued as it was very good training in my case and I am sure it was in others as well.
As an update, after I left SFU I took a post with Alberta Agriculture in 1979 as the supervisor of apiculture. I held that post for 7 years and then worked for CARE Canada in Nicaragua setting up the national beekeeping program in that country. My contract lasted 4 years, but as one thing led to another, I stayed on and established my own apiary business with a local co-worker. I returned to Canada in 2007 after 20 years abroad and presently live in Victoria.
You may remember my wife Carmen. We seperated but remain best of friends. Carlos, our oldest son is a lawyer and Miguel, the youngest is a translator living in Japan.
I'm sure you won't recall my spelling problems on my MPM thesis, but I was delighted to learn that the word "various" is spelt "varias" in Spanish. This was one of my main spelling mistakes, among others, and was repeated many times. Unfortunately there was no such thing as spell-check and considerable retyping was necessary. I am still not a particulary good speller but am better in Spanish as it is almost enirely phonetic.
I am very happy to here about you.
Sincerely, Donald MacDonld