[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/history_colloquium.jpg” caption=”history colloquium”]In celebration of a recent $1-million gift from Canadian business executive Lynton Ronald (Red) Wilson, McMaster's annual history colloquium reflects on Canada's past.

Entitled, “The Future of the Canadian Past: Reflections on Canadian History in the 21st Century”, the colloquium honours the McMaster alumnus whose gift established the L.R. Wilson Professor in Canadian History at McMaster University. The professorship will bring together Canadianists from all faculties to establish an advisory board for Canadian studies at McMaster, which will develop seminars, conferences, lectureships, and an annual book competition.

The colloquium began Friday afternoon with a reception in McMaster's Council Chambers in Gilmour Hall. McMaster kinesiology professor Nancy Bouchier facilitated a presentation called, “Historical Practice beyond the University: History and its Publics”, by curatorial assistant Melissa Zielke, from the Workers Arts and Heritage Centre and McMaster alumna and writer Cheryl MacDonald, from Heronwood Enterprises.

Ken Cruikshank, associate professor of history, facilitated the panel, “Historical Practice in the University: Research Directions”, presented by current students in the history department. The student presenters were:

• Angela Graham, fourth-year PhD history, “Weighing in with the Elephant: American Influences in Canada's China Policy”
• Danielle Robinson, second-year honours history, presented “Hurricanes and Criminals: Undergraduate Adventures in Research”
• Erika Dyck, PhD candidate history, presented “Do I know I am talking to you like a madman? LSD, Historians and Media”

Photo caption: During the reception, Red Wilson talks with student presenters, from left, Erika Dyck, Angela Graham and Danielle Robinson.