Winters College

The Honourable Robert H. Winters (College Founder) was a vital component in the early years of York University. From 1959 to 1965, he served as the first Chairman of the Board of Governors. During this time, he helped generate the funds necessary to purchase and build both the Glendon and Keele Campuses, and the York Room on the 9th floor of the Ross Building. Additionally, he worked tirelessly to acquire much of the artwork found at the Keele Campus today.  

Winters came to York with a wealth of experience. He had served as a Lieutenant-Colonel in WWII, and shortly thereafter he became the Liberal representative of his hometown constituency of Queen’s-Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. Later, in the years between 1948 and 1957, he held several cabinet posts, including The Minister of Resources and Development, and The Minister of Public Works. In 1965, Winters returned to the political arena; from 1966 to 1968 he served as Minister of Trade and Commerce, receiving critical accolades for the success of Expo ’67. He then went on in 1968 to challenge Pierre Trudeau for the Liberal Leadership. It wasn’t an easy race for Trudeau. Indeed, it was so close that a leader wasn’t chosen until the fourth ballot. One can only imagine what the face of Canada might have been had Robert Winters become the Prime Minister.  

Following his defeat in the Liberal election, Winters retired from politics for the last time. He moved seamlessly into the world of business and served on numerous boards of governors until his death in 1969; he was only 59. His memory was kept alive through the generosity of his widow Eleanor Winters (after whom our art gallery is named), a dedicated Winters College Fellow, and the unique reputation and success of all Winters College students. A biographical video was made years ago to honour the life and times of our college namesake, and was shown to an enthusiastic audience of Robert Winters family members, students and faculty. 

The Master of Winters College (later renamed College Head) was a unique senior administrative and academic leadership position. Unlike a traditional department chair, a Master focused on the "whole student" experience, bridging the gap between a student's academic faculty and their life on campus. The role of Master of Winters College existed for over 50 years and was held by many notable AMPD faculty members.  

Donald S. Rickerd 1968 – 1969 
Tom Hockin (acting) 1969 – 1970 
Desmond Maxwell 1970 – 1979 
Michael Quealey (acting) 1972 – 1973 
Maurice Elliot 1979 – 1989 
J. Ceri Stephens (acting) 1979 – 1980 
Don Newgren 1989 – 1995 
Nicholas Elson (acting) 1991 – 1993 
Andrew Tomcik 1995 – 2000 
Gottfried Paasche 2000 – 2003 
Marie Rickard 2003 – 2014 
John Mayberry (interim) 2014 – 2015 
Peter McKinnon (interim) 2015 – 2016 
John Mayberry 2016 – 2021