University announces Professor Emeritus

Bill Spray

For the second time in its 91-year history, St. Thomas University will confer the honour of Professor Emeritus to one of its recently retired professors. Dr. Bill Spray will be the second person to receive the prestigious, honorary status.

Having served St. Thomas with tremendous distinction since 1968, Dr. Spray retired in 2000. Born in Chatham, NB, Dr. Spray attended the University of New Brunswick for both his BA and MA (History). After completing his Ph.D. at the University of London in 1966, Dr. Spray returned to Fredericton to teach at St. Thomas.

Dr. Spray headed the History Department from 1970-74, and served as vice-president (academic) from 1982-89. In 1997, he received the St. Thomas University Students’ Union Honour Roll for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching.

As a research historian, Dr. Spray conducted primary research connected with the beginnings of the Kings Landing Historical Settlement. Dr. Spray’s works have appeared in dozens of publications. His areas of expertise include the lives and activities of the early blacks and Irish in Atlantic Canada. He consistently chronicled the lives of several Canadians for the Dictionary of Canadian Biography.

During his 32 years at St. Thomas, Dr. Spray committed incredible amounts of time to University committees and associations, as well as numerous community organisations and literary publications. His contributions to the people and programmes of St. Thomas University will be indelibly marked.