Collection - Dr. J. W. Grant MacEwan collection

John Walter Grant MacEwan was born on August 12, 1902 in Brandon, Manitoba. Educated at schools in Brandon and Melfort, Saskatchewan, MacEwan graduated from Ontario Agricultural College in 1926 and from Iowa State College in 1928. He was professor of animal husbandry at the University of Saskatchewan and department head from 1928 to 1946, and dean of agriculture, University of Manitoba, from 1946 to 1951. He moved to Calgary and was elected alderman in 1953, 1955, 1957 and 1959; he was mayor from 1963 to 1966. Elected MLA in 1955, he became Alberta Liberal leader in 1958, but was defeated in the election of 1959 and resigned the leadership in 1960. He was lieutenant-governor of Alberta from 1965 to 1974 and was invested with the Order of Canada 1975. He published four agricultural texts (two collaborations) and some 50 books on historical subjects. Grant MacEwan Community College in Edmonton was named in his honour. Grant MacEwan Day began on February 28, 1985 as a day to pay tribute to the college's namesake. In 1986, it also became a day to recognize employees who had made an outstanding contribution to the college. Events included a breakfast and presentation of the MacEwan Medallion by Dr. MacEwan. The first MacEwan Medallion was awarded to Chuck Day, Vice President, Academic on February 27, 1986. He died on June 15, 2000 in Calgary, Alberta.