# Walter Gage

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Canadian professor and administrator

For the American football player and coach, see [Walter B. Gage](/source/Walter_B._Gage).

Walter Henry Gage CC Walter Henry Gage, 6th president of UBC 6th president of the University of British Columbia In office 1969–1975 Preceded by Kenneth Hare Succeeded by Douglas T. Kenny Personal details Born (1905-03-05)March 5, 1905 Vancouver, British Columbia Died October 3, 1978(1978-10-03) (aged 73) Vancouver, British Columbia Alma mater University of British Columbia Awards Companion of the Order of Canada, 1971

**Walter Henry Gage** [CC](/source/Order_of_Canada) (March 5, 1905 – October 3, 1978) was a [Canadian](/source/Canadians) professor and administrator who spent 50 years at the [University of British Columbia](/source/University_of_British_Columbia), beginning as an undergraduate student and eventually becoming president of the university.[1]

## Education

1911-18 Tecumseh Elementary School (public) 1918-21 John Oliver Secondary School (public) 1921-26 University of British Columbia: B.A. (Hon. Math) M.A. (Math and Physics) 1928-33 Victoria College, Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Registrar 1933-1978 University of British Columbia, Department of Mathematics Assistant Professor 1933-36 Associate Professor 1937-43 Professor 1943-1978 1939-40 California Institute of Technology, Teaching Fellowship 1943-44 Royal Canadian Air Force, Temporary Flight Lieutenant Canadian Army, Course Co-Director 1948-1969 University of British Columbia, Dean 1958 Honorary LL.D. (University of British Columbia) 1969 Inaugural Recipient, Master Teacher Award, University of British Columbia 1969-1975 President, University of British Columbia 1974 Honorary LL.D. (University of Victoria)

## Biography

Walter Gage 1925 Annual [UBC 1.1/12219]

Walter Gage was born in the middle-class neighborhood of South [Vancouver](/source/Vancouver) to parents Alexander and Ann, immigrants from [Great Britain](/source/Great_Britain). They raised Walter and his older sister Elsie[2] and influenced both siblings' interest in community and politics. Walter attended [Tecumseh Elementary](/source/Tecumseh_Elementary_School) and [John Oliver Secondary School](/source/John_Oliver_Secondary_School) in Vancouver, demonstrating an early interest in his studies. As a teenager, he taught Sunday school and coached [basketball](/source/Basketball). In 1921, Gage was the first in his family to attend university when he enrolled in UBC. He earned a Bachelor of Arts with honors in [mathematics](/source/Mathematics) in 1925, and a Master of Arts in mathematics in 1926.[1]

1922 student demonstration to build the university [UBC 1.1/1315]

He taught mathematics at the [University of British Columbia](/source/University_of_British_Columbia) for over fifty years, from 1927 until his death in 1978. This period was interrupted only by his time teaching mathematics at [Victoria College](/source/Victoria_College%2C_British_Columbia) (1927–1933), where he also served as registrar (1929–1933).[1]

While teaching mathematics, he served as dean of administrative and inter-faculty affairs and dean of inter-faculty and student affairs. In these roles, he worked to ensure that capable students would not be denied a university education because of personal adversities or financial hardship.[1]

Walter Gage (in middle), temporary flight lieutenant RCAF 1943-1944, [UBC 85.1/14]

Walter Gage served as the 6th president of the University of British Columbia[3] during a period of social change and growth (1969-1975). According to the university's 15th president, Gage's acceptance of the role was important to the university's ability to manage that period.[4]

He continued to teach during and after his presidency. In 1969, he became the inaugural recipient of the university's annual [Walter Koerner](/source/Walter_Koerner) Master Teacher Award.[5]

Gage is known for his efforts to ensure financial hardship did not prevent capable students from pursuing education. He supported students by establishing bursaries and personally contributing funds when necessary.[6] He was known for his wit, for offering currency to struggling students, for his affection for the arts — especially theatre and music — and for his voluble manner of teaching.[7]

Dean Walter Gage enjoying the appreciation of students, [UBC 41.1/2700-1

An excerpt from the citation for the honorary degree awarded to him by the University of British Columbia in 1958 described Walter Gage as "'the most and best beloved of the university family', referring to him as 'in a sense, the physical embodiment of this university's academic conscience, and a man whose scholarly attainments and standards of teaching are equaled only by his concern always to do justice to colleagues and students alike'".[8][9] He was later awarded an honorary LL.D. by the University of Victoria, where he had taught.[1][10]

In 1971, he was made a Companion of the [Order of Canada](/source/Order_of_Canada), the highest rank in Canada's civilian honour system.[11][12]

Following his death in 1978, the Walter Gage Residence for students at the University of British Columbia was named in his honor.[13]

A book detailing the life and work of Walter Gage was published in 2018. *The Age of Walter Gage: How One Canadian Shaped the Lives of Thousands* discusses Gage's teaching methods and describes his large classes as being filled with keen students and enjoyment. It also covers his contributions to the UBC campus. The book chronicles Gage's life, and his influence on Canadians.[14]

## See also

- [List of presidents of the University of British Columbia](/source/List_of_presidents_of_the_University_of_British_Columbia)

v t e Presidents and vice-chancellors of the University of British Columbia Wesbrook (1913–1918) Klinck (1919–1940) MacKenzie (1944–1962) Macdonald (1962–1967) Hare (1968–1969) Gage (1969–1975) Kenny (1975–1983) Pedersen (1983–1985) Smith (1985)* Strangway (1985–1997) Piper (1997–2006) Toope (2006–2014) Gupta (2014–2015) Piper (2015–2016)* Ono (2016–2022) Buszard (2022–2023)* Bacon (2023–present) * indicates interim president

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:0_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-:0_1-4) Fralic, Shelley (2018). *The Age of Walter Gage: How One Canadian Shaped the Lives of Thousands*. Friends of Walter Gage. pp. 117, 118. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-9949329-3-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-9949329-3-8).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Walter Henry Gage (1905-1978) - Find a Grave Memorial"](https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/274034127/walter-henry-gage). *[Find a Grave](/source/Find_a_Grave)*. August 26, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["List of presidents of the University of British Columbia"](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_presidents_of_the_University_of_British_Columbia&oldid=940866854), *Wikipedia*, 2020-02-15, retrieved 2020-05-23

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Fralic, Shelley (2017). Peart, Danny (ed.). *The Age of Walter Gage: How One Canadian Shaped the Lives of Thousands*. Kate Bird (contributor). Vancouver, British Columbia: Friends of Walter Gage. p. 7. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-9949329-3-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-9949329-3-8). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [1022172584](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/1022172584).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Fralic, Shelley (2017). Peart, Danny (ed.). *The Age of Walter Gage: How One Canadian Shaped the Lives of Thousands*. Kate Bird (contributor). Vancouver, British Columbia: Friends of Walter Gage. p. 70. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-9949329-3-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-9949329-3-8). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [1022172584](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/1022172584).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Walter Gage Memorial Bursary in Engineering | Walter Gage Book Project"](https://waltergagebook.engineering.ubc.ca/walter-gage-memorial-bursary-in-engineering/). *waltergagebook.engineering.ubc.ca*. Retrieved 2025-01-23.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Fralic, Shelley (2017). Peart, Danny (ed.). *The Age of Walter Gage: How One Canadian Shaped the Lives of Thousands*. Kate Bird (contributor). Vancouver, British Columbia: Friends of Walter Gage. pp. 37–39. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-9949329-3-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-9949329-3-8). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [1022172584](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/1022172584).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["UBC Archives - Honorary Degree Citations 1955-1958"](https://www.library.ubc.ca/archives/hdcites/hdcites4.html). *www.library.ubc.ca*. Retrieved 2020-05-23.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Fralic, Shelley (2017). Peart, Danny (ed.). *The Age of Walter Gage: How One Canadian Shaped the Lives of Thousands*. Kate Bird (contributor). Vancouver, British Columbia: Friends of Walter Gage. pp. 48, 49. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-9949329-3-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-9949329-3-8). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [1022172584](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/1022172584).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["University of Victoria -Honorary degree recipients - University of Victoria"](https://www.uvic.ca/universitysecretary/senate/honorary/recipients/index.php). *www.uvic.ca*. Retrieved 2020-05-23.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["List of companions of the Order of Canada"](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_Companions_of_the_Order_of_Canada&oldid=957725043), *Wikipedia*, 2020-05-20, retrieved 2020-05-23

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Fralic, Shelley (2017). Peart, Danny (ed.). *The Age of Walter Gage: How One Canadian Shaped the Lives of Thousands*. Kate Bird (contributor). Vancouver, British Columbia: Friends of Walter Gage. pp. 81, 83. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-9949329-3-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-9949329-3-8). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [1022172584](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/1022172584).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Fralic, Shelley (2017). Peart, Danny (ed.). *The Age of Walter Gage: How One Canadian Shaped the Lives of Thousands*. Kate Bird (contributor). Vancouver, British Columbia: Friends of Walter Gage. p. 89. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-9949329-3-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-9949329-3-8). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [1022172584](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/1022172584).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Fralic, Shelley (2018-01-12). ["Book excerpts: 'The Age of Walter Gage' at University of B.C."](https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/the-age-of-walter-gage-how-one-canadian-shaped-the-lives-of-thousands-book-excerpts) *Vancouver Sun*. Retrieved 2019-11-15.

## External links

- Media related to [Walter Gage](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Walter_Gage) at Wikimedia Commons

Authority control databases International VIAF National United States Academics Scopus zbMATH MathSciNet

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