Left to right: Mimi Locher, Dean, Faculty of Architecture, Douglas Paterson and Anna Thurmayr, Head, Department of Landscape Architecture
David J. Paterson Entrance Scholarship: Supporting Future Landscape Architects
The University of Manitoba is excited to announce the establishment of the David J. Paterson Entrance Scholarship, created by Douglas Paterson in memory of his father. With an initial endowment of $100,000, this fund aims to support an incoming graduate student enrolled in the Master of Landscape Architecture program who demonstrates a passion for rural landscapes and field studies.
About the Person Who is Named in the Scholarship: David J. Paterson (1879-1975)
David J. Paterson immigrated to Canada with his family in 1888. They settled near Helston, Manitoba, where they established a homestead. By the early 1920s, they had developed a large farm named Forest Home, reflecting their Scottish heritage. However, the farm faced challenges, including devastating crop failures and diseases that wiped out their cattle.
Around 50 years later, David J. Paterson successfully built a new farm along the Whitemud River in Westbourne, Manitoba. Here, he dedicated himself to his passion for the prairie landscape and created the Perry Park on a 10-acre stretch of riverbank. This public park became a local destination, attracting up to 100 cars every weekend as families enjoyed swimming, boating, and picnicking under the canopy of ancient elms.
In the spirit of his dedication to the community, David later donated the park to the municipality and 80 acres of adjacent prairie refuge to the Manitoba Nature Conservancy.
About the Philosophy and Legacy of David J. Paterson
According to his son, David J. Paterson was guided by the belief that “There are no pockets in a shroud. The things you give away are the things that you keep forever.” His contributions to farming and various charitable causes earned him numerous accolades, including being named “Manitoba Citizen of the Year” by the Winnipeg Tribune in 1956 and receiving the title of one of Manitoba’s original “Golden Boys” in 1960.
About the Scholarship Donor: Douglas Paterson
Douglas Paterson at the 2024 CSLA Congress
Douglas (Doug) Paterson [B.Sc/64], the donor of this new scholarship, is an Associate Professor Emeritus at the University of British Columbia’s Landscape Architecture Program. We met him at the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA) congress in Winnipeg in June 2024. He spoke fondly of his inspirational father and caring mother, life on a prairie farm, and the joy he still experiences when he leaves the house barefoot for a stroll on a sunny morning, greeted by goats and damp meadows.
Growing up in Manitoba, Doug Paterson earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Manitoba in 1964 and a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Michigan. He began his professional career in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He joined the young firm of Man, Taylor, and Muret, now known as The Lombard North Group, and led the Winnipeg office until 1980 before transferring to Vancouver. He has held numerous academic and professional leadership roles, including the headship of the Landscape Architecture Program for three terms at the University of British Columbia, the presidency of the CSLA from 1981 to 1983, the chairmanship of the CSLA College of Fellows, and the regional directorship of the North American Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA). Doug Paterson was also the first president of the Manitoba Association of Landscape Architects (MALA), established in 1973. In addition, he has served on several advisory and editorial boards, including Landscape Architecture Magazine and the Journal of Landscape and Regional Planning. Throughout his academic career, he has maintained an active small practice. He now celebrates life by farming on a small scale on Salt Spring Island.
In 2024, at the CLSA congress in Winnipeg, he was honoured with the CSLA Lifetime Achievement Award for his commitment and contributions to the landscape architecture profession. When asked for advice on being a department head, he prompted me to act sincerely and authentically.
About the Importance of the New Entrance Scholarship
This entrance scholarship honours David J. Paterson’s legacy and fosters a new generation of landscape architects at the University of Manitoba, dedicated to preserving and enhancing rural landscapes. It will nurture a deep understanding and love for the land and rural areas. This new scholarship will also assist the Department of Landscape Architecture with branding and outreach. It may attract and encourage students to pursue an education in landscape architecture, which they may otherwise not have access to. In honour of David J. Paterson, it will significantly aid in recruiting passionate students about being immersed in the outdoors, which has become extremely rare due to the digitalization of our lives.
Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the David J. Paterson Entrance Scholarship, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Enrollment as a full-time graduate student in the first year of the Master of Landscape Architecture program.
- A minimum admission grade point average of 3.0 based on the last 60 credit hours (or equivalent) of study.
- A demonstrated interest in rural landscapes, rural field studies, and/or the land, which must be articulated in a written statement of no more than 500 words.