Goodenough College celebrates its 80th anniversary in 2011. We are pleased to let you know about a very interesting upcoming project to celebrate this special occasion. The College has arranged to publish The World in a London Square: A Portrait of Goodenough College with the editorial assistance of Janet Sacks, a London-based author, and Third Millennium Information, a London publishing house well-known for high quality books of a similar nature. This anniversary book will be an excellent illustrated history of Goodenough College, a place that Canadians know well as the pre-eminent residence for international graduate students in London, and as a very special place whose diverse and collegial environment enriches our lives.

Coincidentally, 2011 is the LGAC’s 60th anniversary. Canadians have been central to Goodenough College from the beginning, from Walter Bilbrough in 1931 to the fifty-three Canadians resident in the Square this year. Every day, Canadians lead, organize and participate in College life to a degree unmatched by any other national group. On returning home, we have continued our connection to and support for the College by building the LGAC into the College’s most successful alumni group.

We expect the stellar contribution of Canadians to life in Mecklenburgh Square to shine through in the portrait of the College, but this will depend in part on you. The College has asked the LGAC to engage the Canadian alumni in this project in two important ways. First, the book needs the benefit of your reflections, anecdotes and photographs in order to paint the picture of life at the College in your time, whether last year or decades ago. If you have material that you believe others would find interesting, you can contribute it to the book project. Please send this material to the College by 16 March, 2010. Regrettably, not everything can be reflected in the book, but all of it will be preserved in the College’s archives and the LGAC plans to create a special section of its new website to feature this historical material. Second, the College is offering a pre-publication price at a discount of £10 if you subscribe for your copy of the book by August 31, 2010. The names of all early subscribers will published in the book.

We are confident that The World in a London Square: A Portrait of Goodenough College will be a project of lasting value, and we hope that you will take the time to contribute your material and support the project by purchasing an early subscription. Please see the enclosed supporting letter from Sir Anthony Goodenough, whom many of you will remember as the former British High Commissioner to Canada, and have a look at the enclosed brochure for more information. We would be pleased to know if you have any comments or questions.

With our best wishes,

Andrew Gray
Chair, LGAC

Robert Douglas
Canadian Governor, Goodenough College
Hon. Secretary & Treasurer, LGAC