"An outstanding Canadian"

A new scholarship announced today will support political science scholars while honouring the legacy of one of Canada's fallen heroes. President Tom Traves and the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, announced the Glyn R. Berry Memorial Scholarship in International Policy Studies at Dalhousie. Members of the Berry family attended the event, as did those from the Dalhousie community and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT).

Dr. Berry completed his doctoral degree at Dalhousie in 1981, and during his nearly 30-year career with DFAIT, he served with distinction in Norway, Cuba, the United States, Pakistan and at Canada's Permanent Mission to the United Nations, among other assignments. He was serving as political director with the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Kandahar, Afghanistan, when he was killed in the line of duty in January, 2006.

"Glyn Berry was a dedicated peacemaker and peace builder, and an outstanding Canadian," said Dr. Traves. "We decided we would honour the contributions of this exceptional alumnus by establishing this scholarship, in partnership with Foreign Affairs. We hope this scholarship will enable future Canadians to prepare themselves to make a difference in the same fashion that he did."

An indelible impression

In his remarks, Minister MacKay noted that Dr. Berry "touched the lives of so many people and made an indelible impression." He added, "He was taken away while doing what he loved to do." As a sign of affection and respect, he said, within days of his passing, people at Dalhousie were discussing ways of honouring his legacy, and the idea of a scholarship began to take shape.

"Where better to house this scholarship than at Dalhousie, where Glyn Berry had so many wonderful friends and experiences? For years to come, we're confident that with the help of this scholarship, students will achieve what he achieved: inspiration, and the will to propel people forward to have an impact." Minister MacKay is also a Dalhousie graduate (LLB '90).

Jennifer Smith, Chair of the Political Science Department also spoke as did Denis Stairs, Professor Emeritus in Political Science and Glyn Berry's PhD advisor. "Academic partner is a better term," said Dr. Stairs. "Ostensibly, I was his supervisor but he gave me nothing to do but read his work and learn from it," he recalled fondly.

A PhD candidate in political science will be recognized annually with this full graduate scholarship, beginning in 2008. Eligible candidates will specialize in an aspect of Canadian foreign policy, defence and security policy, development assistance policy or another area of study addressing Canada's role in international affairs.

Funding of the scholarship is shared between DFAIT and Dalhousie University, with the department contributing $150,000 and Dalhousie committing to raise at least that amount.

Dalhousie is grateful to PAFSO (Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers), EDC (Export Development Canada) and others for their generous support of the scholarship. For more information on the Glyn Berry scholarship, visit http://alumniandfriends.dal.ca/giving/glynberry.php