Going behind the scenes of ‘A Chance For Greatness’
McMaster alumnus and longtime senior administrator Gary Purdy served as chair of the project advisory committee for 'A Chance For Greatness.' The latest volume of McMaster history, which covers the years 1957-1987, will be released during an April 23 ceremony in Alumni Memorial Hall.
Gary Purdy graduated from McMaster in 1962 with a PhD in metallurgical engineering.
Five decades later, his formative years on campus (along with thousands of others) are the focus of a brand new volume of University history — McMaster University 1957-1987: A Chance For Greatness.
Purdy — former dean of the Faculty of Engineering, former associate dean of Graduate Studies and an Alumni Gallery inductee — served as chair of the project advisory committee throughout the book’s completion.
For nearly eight years, he was tasked with coordinating many of the behind-the-scenes tasks that went into steering the project, along with a team of dedicated and passionate volunteers culled from all areas of campus.
“It’s not quite like having a new baby, but it’s pretty close in terms of the excitement level,” says Purdy, now a professor emeritus of materials science and engineering at McMaster. “We have a beautifully-produced volume of history on our hands, and I’m thrilled to finally see the finished product.”
Read an in-depth interview with author and alumnus James Greenlee
The project advisory committee was comprised of a who’s who of notable alumni, former faculty and campus administrators, including: Karen McQuigge, Melvin Preston, Richard Rempel, David Sackett, Alvin Zipursky, James A. Johnson, Anne Newbigging, former president and vice-chancellor Peter George and his successor, Patrick Deane.
Charles Johnston, a McMaster alumnus from the Class of 1949 and author of the first two volumes of McMaster history, was also a crucial early influence on the advisory committee.
The team met regularly during the initial planning stages, and worked closely with Greenlee to narrow down the most important storylines and main cast of characters that would drive the central narrative of change and innovation in A Chance For Greatness.
Other campus partners, such as CFMU program director James Tennant, were brought on board at various stages to assist with recording and transcribing the extensive interviews Greenlee was conducting with notable McMaster figures.
“The hours we all put in are countless,” says Purdy. “James Greenlee was always the master writer-planner, but there were so many volunteers who offered their time and expertise during the making of this book. There was a great deal of helpful facilitation on campus.”
After years of reading various chapters and segments as they were completed, Purdy says he was pleased to sit down and read the book from cover-to-cover, in proper chronological order.
Reflecting on his time on campus during the days of George Gilmour and Harry Thode — both pivotal figures in A Chance For Greatness — Purdy says the book is as close as one can get to re-living one of the most important eras in University history.
“It rings very true,” he offers. “It’s a compelling story told on a large scale, and the research is entirely accurate. I was very pleased to be involved in its production.”
A full list of acknowledgements can be found at the beginning of A Chance For Greatness.
The launch event for the book will take place Thursday, April 23 in Alumni Memorial Hall from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. Please RSVP by Monday, April 20 to macrsvp@mcmaster.ca or 905-525-9140 ext. 27578.
