Scholarship remembers love of philosophy
Philosophy undergrads at Memorial are the beneficiaries of a
generous new scholarship, endowed at over $80,000, that was
established in memory of James A. Good, whose life was cut short by
illness in 2005.
Born and brought up in St. John’s, Mr. Good was an extremely
proud Newfoundlander. He completed an undergraduate degree in
philosophy at Memorial University.
“Jim struggled to put himself through university and did
so with distinction, going on to get a master’s degree at
Dalhousie and to PhD studies at the University of Toronto,”
noted his wife, Mary Symons.
It was during his doctoral studies that Mr. Good was persuaded by
the Honourable Dr. John C. Crosbie to join his team in Ottawa. In
the 1980s, Mr. Good served as Chief of Staff to Dr. Crosbie, who
held federal ministerial portfolios such as Justice, Transport,
Finance, International Trade and Fisheries.
In his tribute to Mr. Good, which was reprinted in the Globe and
Mail (Nov. 27, 2005), Dr. Crosbie, now Memorial’s Chancellor,
said: “In the 11 years I worked with Jim, I discovered he had
the ability to grow, the ability to learn and keep learning, to see
beyond the obvious, to disagree and express his
disagreement....”
In 1990, Mr. Good left government service to embark on a new
career. He became a successful investment banker and a partner of
Capital Canada Limited in Toronto.
“Although he excelled at careers that took him into the
fields of government and Toronto’s Bay Street financial
world, he always loved the study of philosophy and continued to
read voraciously and to discuss and debate the works of great
philosophers and philosophical issues all of his life,”
recalls Ms. Symons. “Jim realized the value and the firm
foundation that a university education can provide. He also knew
the value of the resources students need to get that
education.”
The endowment for the scholarship fund, established last fall, grew
quickly thanks to a significant gift from the Eric Baker Family
Foundation, and contributions from many friends and colleagues who
wished to remember Mr. Good in this way.
Ms. Symons notes that it was Mr. Good’s wish that the
scholarship be awarded to a Memorial University undergraduate
student. “Despite his own struggles as an undergraduate, it
was during this time that he realized he wanted to pursue
post-graduate work. This scholarship may help other young
philosophy students realize their goals through further
education.”
The James A. Good Scholarship in Philosophy will be awarded
annually to one student who excels in philosophy studies; financial
need will be taken into consideration. The decision will be made on
the recommendation of the head of the philosophy department, with
the approval of the Senate Committee on Undergraduate
Scholarships.
