Yukon Foundation announces a new fund established in memory of Dr. Brent Slobodin.
Dr. Brent Slobodin (1957-2019) was a dedicated student of the humanities and lover of literature. He earned a Ph.D. in 20th century Canadian foreign policy from Queen’s University and taught history at that university and at Yukon College for many years.
Dr. Slobodin first came to the Yukon in 1979, and eventually settled here with his family in 1988. He was a committed family man, Yukon public servant, community activist, heritage advocate, and volunteer.
He served for many years as President of the Yukon Historical and Museums Association, in which capacity he was instrumental in preserving from destruction such heritage landmarks as the Taylor House (Commissioner’s residence), the Round House, and the buildings on LePage Park. He served as territorial representative on the national boards of Heritage Canada, Katimavik, as well as the Historic Sites and Monuments Board.
As a public servant he served in Education as the Assistant Deputy Minister of Advanced Education, and was instrumental in developing the Yukon’s labour market and immigration in the territory.
In other volunteer work, he served as Assistant Vice-President for Volunteers for the first Canada Winter Games held in Whitehorse in 2007, and for several years as President of the Humane Society; as Vice-President of Challenge Disability Resource Group,; and on the boards of the Yukon Public Legal Education Association and the Wolf Creek Community Association.
Throughout his life he was an avid reader of world literature and a dedicated aficionado of rock-and-roll music.
About the Dr. Brent Slobodin Memorial Scholarship in the Humanities
This annual scholarship has been established in loving memory of Dr. Brent Slobodin, to foster study in the humanities and support an upper-year (second year and up) Yukon student with a demonstrated interest in, and intent to specialize, in one or more of the following Humanities subjects at a provincial university:
History
Political Studies
Philosophy
Classics
English
Languages
Candidates for the Dr. Brent Slobodin Memorial Scholarship in the Humanities should prepare a short statement (no more than four pages, typed and double-spaced), showing demonstrated interest and academic excellence with an intent to specialize in one of the above subject areas, as well as some experience in volunteer or community work. Candidates should include their resume, and both high school and university transcripts. Applications will be sent to the family, who shall select the successful candidate to recommend to the Foundation.
This fund will begin accepting applications in 2021.