Dear colleagues:

We are pleased to announce the launch of the John Smart Scholarship fund, in memory of John Smart, who sadly passed away in August 2021. Several of his colleagues and friends, along with John’s wife Pat, formed a committee to set up this scholarship as a lasting legacy of his life, political activities, and work.

Over the past year, this committee has been working with the University of Toronto and the Douglas Coldwell Layton Foundation (DCLF) to establish an annual scholarship in John Smart’s name at the Faculty of Information, University of Toronto (iSchool) in recognition of John’s outstanding work as an archivist, instructor, and community leader.

The John Smart Memorial Scholarship for Social Justice and Democracy will be awarded to a graduate student who is enrolled in the Archives and Records Management Program at the University of Toronto (iSchool) - the first being awarded this coming fall 2023.

As you know, John was a passionate archivist and instructor. Thanks to his efforts, a new archives technician program was developed at Algonquin College to enhance the field of archival education. John was also deeply committed to social justice and archives which he believed was the key to protecting and promoting a strong Canadian identity.

The Douglas Coldwell Layton Foundation is a non-partisan educational charity that was established 50 years ago by Tommy Douglas after he left politics. It is the intellectual home for the legacies of social democratic leaders. Considering John’s lifelong commitment to social democracy and his work with the nationalist Waffle movement within the NDP, it is very fitting that this scholarship is awarded through the Foundation.

We are inviting you as one of John's colleagues to make a contribution towards our fundraising efforts. Donors who contribute to the John Smart Memorial Scholarship through the Foundation receive tax receipts. You can make your gift with a credit card by visiting this webpage: John Smart Scholarship Fund

Or, cheques can be sent by mail payable to: Douglas Coldwell Layton Foundation, re; John Smart - PO Box 282 Station B, Ottawa, ON, K1P 6C4.

The committee is confident that with your help and the help of others, we will be able to raise the funds needed to fulfill our commitment to John’s legacy and support an archival student engaged in social justice issues.

On behalf of the John Smart Committee, we thank you.

Sincerely,

Committee members:

Ellen Scheinberg, [log in to unmask] (co-chair)

Karen Teeple, [log in to unmask] (co-chair)

Carol Radford-Grant

Pat Smart

Paul Henry

Richard Lochead

Paulette Dozois

Ralph Coram

Ellen Scheinberg, Ph.D.
Heritage Professionals
647-530-6530
www.heritageprofessionals.net