Remembering Dr. David Morrison (1941 – 2017)
The entire WUSC network would like to offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Dr. David Morrison, after his passing on May 15, 2017 in Halifax. He was 76.
Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, David later moved to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, where he taught at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) for 30 years.
David’s relationship with WUSC began when he was a Local Committee member at his University. In 1988, he continued his dedication to the organization when he joined the WUSC Board of Directors as the regional member for Atlantic Canada.
David had a great commitment to human rights and development. This was evident through his dedicated involvement with WUSC, Rotary International, the YMCA, the Canadian Human Rights Foundation, and Amnesty International. His legacy also lives on at Trent University through the David Morrison Award, which is presented to a graduating student who demonstrates academic and social involvement at Trent, involvement with Trent International, and a commitment to internationalization[1].
David’s accomplishments are numerous and the work he was involved in is a testament to the kind of person he was. A clinical psychologist, David was an academic, a practitioner, a published author, a teacher, and a speaker. He was a founding member of the UPEI Religious Studies Department, and a co-author of the UN Convention Against Torture. In 1998, David founded the Strathmor Group – an organization that was formed to support and advise experts and the public on issues related to health, human rights, spirituality and cultural values.
David is remembered as a dynamic speaker and an inspirational leader. He received many accolades for his public service, including being named a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow and receiving the YMCA Canada Peace Medal in 1990. He always believed that life was about trying to become a better version of ourselves, in whatever we are doing.
David leaves behind his wife Mary Lou, daughters Heather and Michelle, and his four grandchildren. He is deeply missed by family, friends, and colleagues