In Memoriam
ALUMNI NEWS MAGAZINE | Summer 2022
Originally from Galt, O.N., Robin Armstrong held a BA, MSc and PhD, all from the University of Toronto. In 1961, he went to Oxford University on a National Research Council of Canada postdoctoral fellowship where he took up nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Robin began his academic career in the department of physics at the University of Toronto in 1962 and served as dean of arts and sciences from 1982 to 1990.
Robin was a well-known and respected nuclear physicist who served as UNB’s president from 1990 to 1996. Under his leadership, the Venture Campaign raised $43 million on its $30-million goal, UNB’s most ambitious fund-raising drive to that date. He also expanded UNB's research partnerships and created the position of vice-president for research and international co-operation, which was first held by Dr. Frank Wilson, and he established new research chairs and research centres in a number of fields, including space science, pulping technology, social policy and family violence.
Other UNB initiatives under Robin’s leadership included the opening of Sir James Dunn Hall, which was UNB Saint John’s first residence; the reformation of Encaenia celebrations and the overhaul of UNB’s student recruitment process. He worked hard to raise and maintain UNB’s profile both nationally and internationally. He was awarded an honorary doctorate from UNB in 2001.
Given his research interests involving the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for both medical and condensed matter applications, Robin also collaborated to establish a small animal MRI laboratory at the Toronto Western Hospital in the 1980s, and he established an MRI laboratory at UNB in the 1990s.
Robin was the vice-chair of the National Science and Engineering Research Council, a founding director of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research and the chair of the Canadian Arthritis Network. He also received many awards and fellowships from various organizations, such as the Royal Society of Canada, the Canadian Association of Physicists and the University of Cordoba.
James Downey (1980 - 1990)Born in Winterton, N.L., James Downey completed a BA, BEd and MA at Memorial University before acquiring a Rothermere fellowship to earn a PhD at the University of London (Birkbeck College).
He began his academic career as a professor of English at Carleton University, where he quickly rose through the ranks, serving as chair of the English department, dean of arts, vice-president academic and president pro-tempore. In 1980, Dr. Downey moved to New Brunswick to become president and vice-chancellor of UNB, where he served for 10 years, during which the university celebrated its bicentenary in 1985.
A skilled administrator whose facility with language and ready wit made him a popular speaker both on and off campus, Dr. Downey turned these abilities to good advantage. He pressed the case for UNB wherever he went and with the help of faculty and staff, committed alumni and strong public support, he achieved results that ran counter to all expectations.
Under his leadership, programs and facilities expanded on both campuses. In spite of recession, private contributions to UNB more than tripled through the successful Third Century Fund Campaign. The libraries became technologically proficient and electronically catalogued. The university turned its focus outward, increasing targeted research activity through centres, institutes, co-operative ventures and externally funded professorships. His leadership was recognized with an honorary degree from UNB in 1991.
Dr. Downey went on to serve as president of the University of Waterloo from 1993 to 1999. Among his many accomplishments, he was named the inaugural president of the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario from 2007 to 2009. He was appointed to the Order of Canada in 1996, and he received numerous honorary degrees from universities.
View In Memoriam.
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