Burt Matthews
Encyclopedia
Not to be confused with Burton Matthews, ice hockey
defenseman for the Krugersdorp Wildcats and the South Africa men's national ice hockey team.
Burton Clare Matthews (December 16, 1926 – January 2, 2004) was a Canadian
soil scientist and an academic administrator. He was President of the University of Waterloo
from 1970 to 1981 and the University of Guelph
from 1983 to 1988.
, Ontario
, Matthews received a B.S.A. from the University of Toronto
in 1947, a A.M. from the University of Missouri
in 1948, and a Ph.D. from Cornell University
in 1952. From 1961 to 1962, he studied at Oxford University as a Nuffield Foundation
Post-Doctorate Fellow.
as an assistant professor of soil science in 1952 becoming an associate professor in 1956 and a full professor in 1958. From 1962 to 1966, he was the head of the department of soil science.
In 1966, he was appointed Vice-President (Academic) at the University of Guelph. In 1970, he was appointed President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Waterloo and was reappointed for a second six-year term in 1975. From 1982 to 1984, he was the chairman of the Ontario Council of University Affairs. From 1983 to 1988, he was President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guelph.
, a Freemason, and an Anglican.
He died in Waterloo, Ontario
in 2004 of natural causes.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
defenseman for the Krugersdorp Wildcats and the South Africa men's national ice hockey team.
Burton Clare Matthews (December 16, 1926 – January 2, 2004) was a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
soil scientist and an academic administrator. He was President of the University of Waterloo
University of Waterloo
The University of Waterloo is a comprehensive public university in the city of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. The school was founded in 1957 by Drs. Gerry Hagey and Ira G. Needles, and has since grown to an institution of more than 30,000 students, faculty, and staff...
from 1970 to 1981 and the University of Guelph
University of Guelph
The University of Guelph, also known as U of G, is a comprehensive public research university in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. It was established in 1964 after the amalgamation of Ontario Agricultural College, the Macdonald Institute, and the Ontario Veterinary College...
from 1983 to 1988.
Early life
Born in Kerwood, Middlesex CountyMiddlesex County, Ontario
Middlesex County is a primarily rural county in Southwestern Ontario. Landlocked, the county is bordered by Huron and Perth counties on the north, Oxford County on the east, Elgin County on the south, and Chatham-Kent and Lambton County on the west.The seat is the city of London, although the city...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Matthews received a B.S.A. from the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
in 1947, a A.M. from the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
in 1948, and a Ph.D. from Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
in 1952. From 1961 to 1962, he studied at Oxford University as a Nuffield Foundation
Nuffield Foundation
The Nuffield Foundation is a British charitable trust, established in 1943 by William Morris , the founder of the Morris Motor Company. Lord Nuffield wanted to contribute to improvements in society, including the expansion of education and the alleviation of disadvantage...
Post-Doctorate Fellow.
Academic career
Matthews began his academic career at the Ontario Agricultural CollegeOntario Agricultural College
The Ontario Agricultural College originated at the agricultural laboratories of the Toronto Normal School, and was officially founded in 1874 as an associate agricultural college of the University of Toronto...
as an assistant professor of soil science in 1952 becoming an associate professor in 1956 and a full professor in 1958. From 1962 to 1966, he was the head of the department of soil science.
In 1966, he was appointed Vice-President (Academic) at the University of Guelph. In 1970, he was appointed President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Waterloo and was reappointed for a second six-year term in 1975. From 1982 to 1984, he was the chairman of the Ontario Council of University Affairs. From 1983 to 1988, he was President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guelph.
Later life
In 1987 Dr. Matthews was appointed to the Board of Trustees of the International Center for the Improvement of Maize and Wheat and became its Chair in 1990. He was a Director of a number of corporations including Mutual Life of Canada, Mutual Trust, Campbell Soup Company Ltd., John Wiley and Sons (Canada), as well as serving as president of the Canadian Society of Soil Science. He was a member of Sigma Xi: The Scientific Research SocietySigma Xi
Sigma Xi: The Scientific Research Society is a non-profit honor society which was founded in 1886 at Cornell University by a junior faculty member and a handful of graduate students. Members elect others on the basis of their research achievements or potential...
, a Freemason, and an Anglican.
He died in Waterloo, Ontario
Waterloo, Ontario
Waterloo is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada. It is the smallest of the three cities in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, and is adjacent to the city of Kitchener....
in 2004 of natural causes.