It’s been nearly 20 years since Dr. Kevin Major was named Memorial’s Alumnus of the Year, but the award-winning author stills recalls receiving the honour as if it were yesterday. 

The recognition, he says, helped validate his career choice. 

“I was very pleased to be singled out and to be appreciated for the hard work that goes into being an author,” he said recently. “On a professional level, the award validated my choice of career. It had been an uncommon path to take, especially in the 1970s when I started as an author. It had it moments of doubt to be sure. The recognition was a chorus of thanks for making that choice.” 

An author of more than 15 books, Dr. Major is a graduate of the Faculty of Science and an honorary degree recipient from Memorial. He was selected as alumnus of the year in 1997. 

“I was humbled and delighted,” he said of receiving the award. “Especially so because the nomination came from the late Dr. Ronald Rompkey, the much-acclaimed professor and writer.”

Call for nominations underway
Nominations are currently being accepted for the 34th annual Alumni Tribute Awards and Memorial is encouraging anyone to submit nominations for outstanding graduates such as Dr. Major. 

There are four award categories: 

• Alumni of the Year honours individuals who’ve achieved an exceptionally high distinction and made an outstanding contribution to their field while remaining an active member of the Memorial community;
• J.D. Eaton Alumni Award recognizes outstanding volunteer contribution to the university;
• Alumni Horizon Award honours graduates 35 years of age or younger who’ve demonstrated exceptional distinction or contribution in a chosen field of endeavour;
• And, the Outstanding Community Service Award recognizes exceptional volunteer service locally or internationally that has made a positive difference to the well-being of others.

Dr. Major encourages other alumni and friends to consider nominating worthy individuals for awards.

“If you feel strongly that a graduate of Memorial deserves special recognition, then take the initiative to advance the nomination,” he suggested.

Memorial plays major role
Dr. Major has remained active within the Memorial community since his recognition. He is a former writer-in-residence; has written for Luminus, Memorial’s alumni magazine; delivered a speaker series in Labrador co-ordinated by the Office of Alumni Affairs and Development; and, in collaboration with the Faculty of Arts, took participants on a guided tour from the streets of St. John’s to the battlefields of France retracing the footsteps of the Newfoundland Regiment. 

“On a day-to-day level, the university continues to play an extremely important role in my career as a writer,” said Dr. Major, whose wife, Anne, along with his sons Luke and Duncan are all Memorial graduates. “The library, especially the Centre for Newfoundland Studies, has been a constant source of research material. Just this past year, I spend hour after hour in the archives for work I was doing in writing and curating a book to commemorate the 40th anniversary of St. Michael's Printshop. 

“When Memorial chooses to recognize individuals with its Tribute Awards, it does so with a great deal of class,” Dr. Major added. “It goes out of its way to make it a significant event, one that shines very positive light on both the institution and the recipient.” 

Nominations for the 34th annual Alumni Tribute Awards will be accepted until May 30. Forms and guidelines are available online.

The 33rd annual ceremony will take place Thursday, May 14, at 6 p.m. at R. Gushue Hall on the St. John’s campus. Learn more about this year’s honorees online.