Dr. Stuart L. Smith Memorial Scholarship

Dr. Stuart L. Smith (1938-2020) dedicated his life to love and learning. Stuart’s commitment to Humber College was significant, serving as Chair of the Board of Governors, helping Humber expand its graduate certificate offerings, and contributing to the University of Guelph-Humber collaboration. This partnership between a university and a college was a first for Ontario and paved a new way of education for students by combining in-depth, theoretical education with hands-on learning experiences.

Born in Montreal, the grandson of European Jews, Stuart excelled as a student, winning scholarships and prizes throughout his school years. While at McGill University, he was involved in student affairs (President of McGill Student Society), debating (winner of the Reefer Cup), The McGill Daily, and the McGill Liberal Club. In 1962, he was one of five university students chosen from across Canada to participate in the first exchange with students from the Soviet Union. His interest in debating and public speaking led him towards early work in television, co-hosting the CBC program, Youth Special, with his wife Paddy for four years, and later, The New Generation. As a physician at McMaster University, he presented This is Psychiatry on CHCH-TV.

Stuart had a life-long interest in government and politics and in 1965 sought the Liberal nomination for the Montreal federal riding of Mount Royal. He eventually withdrew his nomination in favour of a then-unknown Pierre Trudeau, who went on to win the election and become prime minister shortly thereafter.

In 1967, Stuart left Montreal for Hamilton, Ontario to become a professor of psychiatry at the new McMaster University Medical School, helping to design its innovative, problem-based curriculum. Always attracted to public policy and protection of the environment, Stuart ran as a Liberal in the 1975 Ontario provincial election for the riding of Hamilton West. He soon became Leader of the Official Opposition, serving alongside Premier William Davis and NDP leader Stephen Lewis. Stuart led the Ontario Liberal Party through two elections (1978 and 1981) before retiring from politics.

From 1982 to 1987, Stuart served as the Chair of the Science Council of Canada and from 1995 to 2002, the Chair of the National Roundtable on the Environment and the Economy. Stuart's contribution in the field of education included serving as Chairman of the Board of Governors at University of Guelph-Humber and in 1991, heading up the Smith Commission, an inquiry into the state of post-secondary education across the country.

Dr. Smith’s interests also extended to business, founding Rockcliffe Research and Technology Inc. and acting as a Director of Esna Technologies and Director and long-time Chairman of the Board of Ensyn Technologies Inc.

Stuart was a tremendous friend of the College and an important part of Humber’s history. His belief in the college system, a new way of educating people, and giving them the traditional and practical skills needed to be successful is at the very heart of what we do.

This scholarship was created in honour of Stuart’s many contributions to Humber, his dedication to public service, the significant impact he had in helping shape the post-secondary education landscape in Ontario, and the widespread influence he had in the fields of medicine and politics.