Dr. James I. Elliot

Abstract

We regret to announce the passing of Dr. Jim Elliot, Dean Emeritus, on Saturday August 28, 2010, peaceful at his home in Manitock, Ontario, with his loving wife Elizabeth at his side. Jim was born in Toronto, August 21, 1938. He attended the Ontario Agriculture College graduating in 1962 with a BS.A. in Animal Sciences (U of T). He continued his studies in the west receiving an M.Sc. (1965) and a Ph.D. (1969) in Animal Nutrition from the University of Alberta. Jim’s career started as an Assistant Professor in Animal Sciences at Macdonald College, McGill University, but he was soon recruited as a scientist by the Research Branch of Agriculture Canada. From 1972 to 1989 he enjoyed a successful career as a scientist and research manager. Soon his administrative capability was recognised and in addition to other administrative appointments he served as Acting Deputy Director (1983 1984), Acting Director (1986 1987) and Deputy Director (1984 1986, 1988 1989) for the Animal Research Centre, Research Branch. In 1989 Dr. Elliot accepted the position as Dean, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Manitoba, and served until 1999 followed by one year in the Department of Animal Science prior to his retirement in 2000. Dean Elliot was known as the ‘‘BUILDER DEAN’’ under his guidance the Faculty successfully completed a nearly $14 million fundraising drive that resulted in a New Agriculture Building on the Fort Gary Campus, the construction of the University of Manitoba Carmen and Region Facility and further renovations to the Faculty Buildings. The ‘‘Builder Dean’’ designation referred to more than the physical structures; it reflected his ability to build a strong network of friends of the Faculty through his interaction with industry leaders and alumni; he changed the name of the Faculty of Agriculture to the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences to highlight the importance of food in the Faculty’s mandate, and with his leadership the Faculty completely revised the undergraduate degree program to reflect a more interdisciplinary approach to agriculture education, now offering four B.Sc. degrees in areas of Agriculture, Agroecology, Agribusiness, and Food Science. Dean Elliot was a strong supporter of the societies in which he was a member. As a member of the Canadian Society of Animal Science he served on the Energy Evaluation Committee (1973 1974) as Director (1978 1981), on the Honours and Awards Committee, as Chairman (198