McMaster is well represented in the short list for the Hamilton Spectator's quest to find the “Greatest Hamiltonian”. The local newspaper has entered its third phase of a reader survey, which has narrowed down a long list of 50 incredible achievers who have made a mark on the map for this rich city. Only a dozen names remain – among them are more than a few friends of McMaster University, ranging from graduates and Honorary Degree recipients to supporters.

Here is your chance to make your vote count and get involved by letting the Spectator know just who you would choose. Contact the paper now to voice your opinion, as this phase of voting will last only one week. Every vote counts. If you would like to see your favourite candidate as the “Greatest Hamiltonian” you can vote online at www.thespec.com or email to greatesthamiltonian@thespec.com. Or, you can mail your vote to:

Greatest Hamiltonian

c/o the Hamilton Spectator

44 Fridy St. Hamilton ON L8N 3G3

Please include your contact information and comments on why you have selected the candidate of your choice. Two weeks from now, on May 16, five finalists will be named and a final phase will put the top two in a head-to-head challenge to decide the single Greatest Hamiltonian of all time.

The following list of the remaining Top 12 candidates is in alphabetical order:

Lincoln Alexander: McMaster alumnus – Humanities (History) '49 and Hon. Degree recipient in 1987. (LL.D.) Canada's first black MP, later Ontario lieutenant governor. Now chancellor at University of Guelph, his many honours include having the Mountain parkway named after him.

Elizabeth Bagshaw: McMaster Hon. Degree (LL.D) in 1974. Physician and family-planning advocate, who founded Canada's first birth-control clinic in 1930 – 39 years before it became legal. She retired at 95 and died at 100 in 1982. She gave her life to her profession and to the many needs of all Hamiltonians.

Roberta Bondar: McMaster University medical school graduate and former professor who grew up in Sault Ste. Marie, and went on to become one of Canada's first six astronauts. She flew on the space shuttle Discovery in 1992.

Boris Brott: McMaster Hon. Degree (LL.D) in 1988. Once an assistant to Leonard Bernstein, Brott led the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra for 21 years, later creating the Brott Music Festival and National Academy Orchestra.

Michael Degroote: A self-made man who arrived in Hamilton with a spirit of innovation and determination to succeed, he built a small trucking firm called Laidlaw Transport into the largest school bus operator and third largest waste management company in North America. He has become one of Canada's greatest philanthropists supporting a wide variety of organizations and causes. He put Hamilton and McMaster in the national spotlight when he donated $105 million to McMaster University, the largest single cash gift in Canadian history.

Sonny Del Rio: Popular Hamilton saxophonist and keyboard player on the music scene, who over the past 50 years has performed with Crowbar, King Biscuit Boy and Trickbag.

Ellen Fairclough: McMaster Hon. Degree (LL.D) in 1975. Canada' first female cabinet minister, served under John Diefenbaker. In 13 years in Parliament, she advocated for gender equality and a fairer immigration policy. She died at 99 in 2004 .
She is one of the few on the list who was actually born in Hamilton and never strayed too far from home, returning here for her final years.

Quinto Martini: Born in Hamilton, Martini was the first Italian-Canadian elected to Parliament, where he represented Hamilton East from 1957 until he was defeated by Liberal John Munro in 1962.

Thomas Mcquesten: McMaster Hon. Degree (LL.D.) in 1944. Influential parks board chairman, central to moving McMaster University to Hamilton from Toronto, and to the creation of Gage Park and the Royal Botanical Gardens.

Chris Robertson: With no previous experience, Robertson cycled 6,500 kilometres from Point Pelee to Tuktoyaktuk in support of Canadian unity in 1997 and early 1998.

Arthur Weisz: McMaster Hon. Degree (LL.D.) in 2004. A Holocaust survivor, he came to Canada from Hungary with only a suitcase and built the Effort Trust Company, becoming Ontario's largest landlord outside Toronto.

Reg Wheeler: Former Hamilton Flying Wildcats lineman and Hamilton city councillor, Wheeler is a legendary figure on Hamilton's beach strip. Wheeler has contributed much more, as well – his extensive work with the Canadian Football Hall of Fame and on the restoration of Dundurn Castle.