Whether they studied under him or spent time hitting the books in the learning commons bearing his name, the lives of many students have been touched by William Matheson.

By the time he retired in 1998, Bill Matheson had devoted 30 years at Brock, leaving a deep mark as a scholar, a trailblazing senior administrator and a popular, award-winning teacher. He indelibly impacted students, and helped guide a fledgling University through its crucial formative years.

Matheson was Brock’s first Dean of Social Sciences, first Vice-President, Academic and an award-winning Political Science teacher who was known for his passion for supporting students in their academic pursuits.

That legacy has continued on following his death in December 2017.

Matheson left a gift to the University in his will to enhance the William Matheson Bursary — an award established in his honour upon his retirement from Brock.

The bursary is given to full-time Political Science students in financial need who have an average of 75 per cent or higher in their most recent year of study.

Once awarded to a single student per year, Matheson’s gift has opened the door to have more than one recipient chosen annually.

“Student awards and bursaries are essential in supporting students in their access to post-secondary education, their success in their studies and their ability to cross the stage for Convocation,” said Pamela Shanks, Executive Director of Development and Alumni Relations. “We are truly grateful to donors who leave a gift in their will to support student awards, which profoundly help and benefit students throughout their Brock journey.”

For more information on making a gift in your will to the University, please contact Tracy Geoffroy at 905-688-5550, ext. 4519 or tgeoffroy@brocku.ca.