Dr. Bhagwan Dua | 2018
The University of Lethbridge Faculty of Arts & Science was pleased to recognize Dr. Bhagwan Dua (1936~2018) at the 2018 Wine & Dine: Arts & Science Scholarship Dinner on October 18, 2018.
This unforgettable night honoured the memory of Dr. Bhagwan Dua, by creating a place for people who support the University of Lethbridge and recognize the importance of supporting our students to come together, just as Dr. Dua so often did.
Thank you to all who gave generously to this fund. You may donate to the scholarship fund directly by visiting us online. Choose "Other" in the field that asks where you would like to direct your gift and in the box that appears, type "Dr. Bhagwan Dua Memorial Scholarship".
Scholarships awarded to students are empowering gifts that assist in unlocking human potential. Financial support helps students BE students, allowing them to create, inquire and discover, and focus on their passion. It helps enlighten their minds to see the depth of possibilities available to them.
Dean and Professor Emeritus Dr. Bhagwan Dua started his career at the University of Lethbridge as a professor of political science in 1977 and taught in the department until 1991 when he became Dean of Arts & Science.
As Dean, Dua would task his good friend and colleague, Dr. Peter McCormick from political science, with being the front man on some difficult issues. The approach succeeded in bringing about transformations in good time, such as changing the composition of the salary, tenure and promotion committee. Dua and McCormick were great collaborators.
His priorities never wavered — students and the University of Lethbridge. Dua’s main concern was for people and his approach was always to help make things better. He would remember details about people’s lives and follow up on them during their next conversation.
“It was his leadership that inspired a lot of us in administration to go on,” says Dr. Andrew Hakin, Provost & VP Academic. “He could get things done, he never lost sight of what was important and you wanted to do things for him.”
Dua and his wife, Swarn, often entertained and people looked forward to receiving an invitation because of the delicious East Indian dishes that would be on the menu and the relaxed atmosphere they created as hosts. Together they helped grow the University to what it has become today.
We are so pleased that our first scholarship dinner in the Faculty of Arts & Science will not only raise money towards student scholarships, but also serve as as a fitting tribute to Dr. Bhagwan Dua, who contributed so much to the University of Lethbridge, and after whom the scholarship will be named. His legacy and love for education will continue on.
Dua was selected in recognition of his leadership and notable achievements during his thirty-one years of service as well as his commitment to students and the University of Lethbridge as a whole.
For more information or for other ways to donate to the fund, please contact the Faculty of Arts & Science at 403-382-7154 or email catharine.reader@uleth.ca.