Professor Rosemarie Finlay accepting her certificate of appreciation for 50years of service.
St. Paul’s College recognizes Professor Rosemarie Finlay for 50 years of service
On Dec. 6, 2019, St. Paul’s College hosted a special gathering and presented Professor Finlay with a certificate and token of appreciation in celebration of her 50 years of service and dedication.
“When one embarks on a career, one does not envision going forward 50 years. Rather, one goes step by step at a time and that accumulates over time. When I started, it was not my intention to teach and to serve for five decades, but here we are, a milestone achieved,” said Finlay at an intimate gathering in Hanley Hall in early December 2019.
Joining the University of Manitoba in 1968 as a Sessional Instructor in the Department of German and Slavic Studies (Formerly Department of German), Finlay has held several administrative and academic positions such as Instructor, Assistant Head of the Department, and later Acting Head.
In 1970, Finlay expanded her academic and leadership experience by joining St. Paul’s College as a Faculty member. It was within the smaller community of St. Paul’s that Finlay found and developed her leadership style, starting with committee work and then with the role of Dean of Studies from 1990 to 1993. While in that position she oversaw the coordination of special celebrations, receptions, lectures and speaker series, and liturgy. She was also responsible for the allocation and presentation of Academic Awards for student members.
Continuing on her administration journey she has been involved with various committees and Board activities including serving on the College’s Board of Governors, and College Assembly. She still serves on the College Building Committee and its sub-committee the St. Paul’s College Art Committee.
In 1994, St. Paul’s College recognized her contributions and presented her with the Fr. Cecil Ryan, SJ, Rector’s Award for outstanding service in the life of the College.
In addition to her studies of 20th and 19th Century writers, Finlay has taken a special interest in German as a second language for English speakers and enjoys introducing University students to German culture. She found time to beta test with our U of M students and co-author a book with Johnny Geddes on English grammar. Initially to help improve her students’ writing skills, the book Revisiting English Grammar: An Essential Guide, 2014, 3rd printing 2016, is now used by students in many disciplines across campus. In recent times she was also instrumental in the release of both of the St. Paul’s College books: St. Paul’s College: Memories and Histories of St. Paul’s College (1999) and St. Paul’s College: Facing the New Millennium (2016).
An avid and passionate stained-glass artist, Finlay collaborated with Winnipeg’s Prairie Studio Glass on several glass panels for the College, including a panel created to honour the Jesuits’ legacy which hangs in the window near the Jensen Theatre and two panels of Saint Paul and Saint Ignatius displayed in the entrance to Christ the King Chapel.
“I have the good fortune to work at St. Paul’s College, with great and truly dedicated colleagues. And together, we have achieved a great deal, with a vision for the College. I am thankful for the opportunity to teach and work in the College, and to serve in different capacities. The College has provided a base of good support for me,” said Finlay.
In November of 2019, the University of Manitoba recognized Finlay for her years of service at their Anniversary Awards. In recognition of her contribution, a donation was made by the University to the Dr. Karl Schilling Memorial Prize Endowment Fund. This Fund was established in memory of her father and is a scholarship for students enrolled in German studies.