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'Radical campus' history retold in new book
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Contact:
Hugh Johnston, History, 604.987.1849 (h); hjohnsto@sfu.ca
Marianne Meadahl, Media & PR 604.291.4323
Hugh Johnston, History, 604.987.1849 (h); hjohnsto@sfu.ca
Marianne Meadahl, Media & PR 604.291.4323
August 30, 2005
SFU professor Hugh Johnston spent the past two years doing what he does best -- uncovering history. The retired historian dug his way back to the early years of SFU for his new book, Radical Campus: The Making of Simon Fraser University, which commits the first decade of SFU's history to print.
The 400-page book, published by Douglas and McIntyre, will be launched September 9 in conjunction with the university's 40th anniversary celebrations.
"I came to SFU in 1968," notes Johnston. "It was a wonderful experience to go back and revisit the beginnings of the university, which were so close to the beginnings of my own career."
Notorious stories and myths of SFU's radical past abound, but how many of them were true? Johnston, together with two research assistants -- history students John-Henry Harter and Dino Rossi -- enjoyed the hunt, discovering the unexpected along the way.
"By the time we had our fourth president in 1968, everything the first president knew was gone with him to Ottawa where he found his next job,” says Johnston. With SFU on a trimester system and people off during various semesters, there was little continuity on committees or in the SFU faculty association. "So it was interesting to go back to see what was there -- to start lining things up in ways that no-one quite saw at the time.”
The book goes on sale Sept. 9 in the SFU bookstore.
Note: Johnston is available for interviews and says the book is expected to be available within a few days of the launch.
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The 400-page book, published by Douglas and McIntyre, will be launched September 9 in conjunction with the university's 40th anniversary celebrations.
"I came to SFU in 1968," notes Johnston. "It was a wonderful experience to go back and revisit the beginnings of the university, which were so close to the beginnings of my own career."
Notorious stories and myths of SFU's radical past abound, but how many of them were true? Johnston, together with two research assistants -- history students John-Henry Harter and Dino Rossi -- enjoyed the hunt, discovering the unexpected along the way.
"By the time we had our fourth president in 1968, everything the first president knew was gone with him to Ottawa where he found his next job,” says Johnston. With SFU on a trimester system and people off during various semesters, there was little continuity on committees or in the SFU faculty association. "So it was interesting to go back to see what was there -- to start lining things up in ways that no-one quite saw at the time.”
The book goes on sale Sept. 9 in the SFU bookstore.
Note: Johnston is available for interviews and says the book is expected to be available within a few days of the launch.
- 30 -