Truly, Madly, Deeply: A Community Music School Fundraiser Concert Silent auction, no-host bar. 7pm, Performing Arts Theatre February 17 Noon at New West presents A Little Night Band Musik Jazz and Contemporary Arrangements, Blair Fisher, director. 12:30pm, Performing Arts Theatre February 21 Literature Alive presents Writer-in-Residence, Leona Gom Reading, 11am, Room 3343 February 23 Literature Alive presents Writer-in-Residence, Leona Gom Reading, 9am, Room 3406, Office Hrs 11-1pm, Room 3308B February 24 Literature Alive presents Writer-in-Residence, Leona Gom Reading, Noon, Room 3810, Office Hrs 2-4pm, Room 3308B cont'd page 4 George Driven. Dedicated. Opinionated. An awe- inspiring lecturer. Trusted colleague, school trustee, activist, mentor, friend. Accolades like these are being used to describe former Douglas College history instructor and Ombudsman George Porges, who died December 29, 2004 at Royal Columbian Hospital at the age of 83. “George always evoked strong reactions in people and he reacted strongly to them — you didn’t have to wonder about where George stood on an issue,” says Biology instructor Adrienne Peacock. “He had a great sense of humour and was always able to make a joke about whatever happened.” Born in Vienna, Austria, Porges went to England at age 17 and served in the British Army during World War Il. He moved to Canada in 1951 and attended Sir George Williams University in Montreal where he met his future wife, Mary. Porges had a passion for history and a gift for teaching. He taught high Douglas College The third Douglas College Professional Development Day is set for February 9. Register by calling 5440 to ensure that adequate food is ordered, offered courtesy of President Susan Witter. When registering, indicate which morning and afternoon interactive sessions you will attend. The day begins in the Performing Arts Theatre at 8:30am with refresh- ments and ends at 3:30pm with a reception to follow. The theme for the day is Ethics and Education. Thomas Berger, a leader in human rights in Canada and beyond, will present the keynote address. Choose one from the following morning Porges — a gift school in Edmonton while continuing his studies at the University of Alberta. He joined the faculty of Douglas College in 1970. General Nursing Instructor Pam Burry describes Porges as “an awesome lecturer” but also a stickler for punc- tuality. “In his early years of teaching at the old campus, George would lock the door of his classroom once he started teaching,” says Burry. “Lateness was not tolerated!” Students who came late could be seen with their ears to the slats at the bottom of Porges’ door, listening and taking notes. Frank Leonard, Chair of the History Department, remembers meeting Porges in 1974 at a History Articulation Meeting. Leonard was teaching at the College of New Caledonia in Prince George and among the visiting history faculty eagerly waiting to see what sort of Friday night entertainment their host from Douglas College had lined up. workshops: Ethical Dilemmas in the Classroom and Student Support Settings with Dr. Brian Burtch, SFU Professor of Criminology, Academic Director of Integrated Studies and Associate in Women’s Studies. Ethical Communication and Decision-Making for Individuals with Stacey Holloway, Senior Trainer, Centre for Conflict Resolution, Justice Institute of British Columbia. Ethical Decision-Making in Cross-Cultural Environments with Dr. Frances Ricks, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Professor, School of Child and Youth Care, University of Victoria. or teac ® George Porges (right) with Douglas College History student Mark Rainey (left), after presentation of the 2004 George Porges Prize in History . “George programmed the 1924 silent German film epic, Die Nibelung,” says Leonard. “If anyone would have told me then I'd be spending a rare Friday night in the big city watching that, | would have laughed at him. But it was enjoyable — somehow, George pulled it off.” Porges had an encyclo- pedic memory and a mammoth library. His study contained so many books that the floor joists had to be reinforced to handle the weight. “His memory for such humorous anecdotes, characters, details, dates, dress and so on was truly remarkable,” says Burry. “He would complain about his declining memory whilst | was in awe if it.” “George hada great way of weaving his knowledge of European history into current political affairs which ga c Him icredible ins ghts, You ve not lived as far | am conc. ‘ned, if you haven't had an opportunity to discuss the recent US and Canadian federal elec tions with 7é roe.” George. A social democrat, Porges was a strong supporter of the Faculty Association. He had a strong sense of social justice. “He was always out there fighting for the underdog,” says Peacock. “He was very keen to make sure that those who needed help got it. He believed firmly that his place was with working people and that working people should be inter- ested in history — that people should be trying to improve their knowl- edge through study. He worked for a more egalitarian community.” hing to the end Instructor Len Millis remembers Porges challenging the legality of mandatory retirement. His case made it all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada and was heard along with several other similar grievances. Porges continued to teach for the two years it took for the case to wind its way through the courts. He finally retired from at Douglas College in 1988. But retirement : didn’t keep him out of the classroom. “He never quit teaching — he taught a course at the community centre just last fall,” says Peacock. “He was also very active in the Unitarian Church. He lived a full life.” Porges continued his life- long commitment to education and commu- nity services th rough involvement in numerous community and civic organizations until his death. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Mary and sons Richard (Ina) and John (Ruby). Donations may be made to the George Porges Prize in History c/o Douglas College Foundation. Professional Development Day Education to Promote Academic Honesty and Integrity with Susan Stevenson, SFU Senior Lecturer, Engineering Studies and Chair of the Task Force on Academic Honesty and Integrity. Ethical Implications of the US Patriot Act for Canadian Educators and Researchers with Dr. Hal Weinberg, Director of the Office of Research Ethics, Simon Fraser University. Choose one from the following afternoon workshops: Our Footprint on the World: Environmental Stewardship at Douglas College with David Cadman, Councillor, City of Vancouver and Past President, Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC). Building and Maintaining Ethical Organizations with Stacey Holloway, Senior Trainer, Centre for Conflict Resolution, Justice Institute of British Columbia. Ethical Decision-Making in Cross-Cultural Environments with Dr. Frances Ricks (repeat from morning). Ethical Dilemmas in the Classroom and Student Support Settings with Dr. Brian Burtch, repeat from morning). Rock, Paper, Scissors, an improv theatre group will close the official program. A reception to celebrate the art work of Douglas College employees and their partners will follow in the Amelia Douglas Gallery foyer. at All daytime classes are cancelled on February 9 and minimal stating provided in depart ments so that as many employees as possible can participate. Evening classes go ahead as usual. g Douglas community contributes to tsunami relief The College community has responded generously to efforts to aid victims of December’s tsunami. The donations were collected at both campuses in early January. In less than a week, donations reached $5,345. Some $5,000 of the total will be matched by the federal govern- ment. All funds were donated to the Red Cross. Many members of the College Community also contributed in other ways to tsunami relief efforts as part of the global response to the unprec- edented disaster. “College employees and students have demon- strated sincere empathy and concern by donations to the College campaign, community organizations and many other relief agencies,” says Blaine Jensen, Vice President of Educational Services. “T think all who donated to any of these causes should be commended.”