Access
Ramp and auto door entrance to the rear of the building near the Science Complex
Elevators
Elevator located near accessible entrance
Washrooms
P44 off Winegard Walk
Parking
Accessible unisex washroom on first floor near accessible entrance
President aptly describes John MacLachlan’s (1906-1987) role on campus. After completing his PhD in plant pathologyMacLachlan came to Guelph as an assistant professor of botany at the Ontario Agricultural College. He became head of the Department and following thatPresident of OAC. Without MacLachlanit is possible the University would not exist todayfor he was the driving force that encouraged the integration of the three founding colleges.
In 1964after much government resistancethe University of Guelph was created and MacLachlan was named its first President. He believed strongly in balancing the roles of the founding colleges with the need to be at the forefront of change – a vision that is still represented at the University todaymore than 40 years later. The building was originally built in 1902 for biologygeologyphysics and the College Museum.
John Douglas MacLachlan 1906-1987
PresidentOntario Agricultural College1950-1962
PresidentFederated Colleges1962-1964
PresidentUniversity of Guelph1964-1967
John Douglas MacLachlan was born in 1906 on a dairy farm near Burrit's RapidsOntario. After completing his BA in chemistry and biology at Queen's Universityhe attended Harvard Universityreceiving an MA in 1933 and a PhD in plant pathology in 1935. He returned to Canada in 1939 to take up the position of assistant professor of botany at the Ontario Agricultural College. An inspiring teacher and a brilliant researcherMacLachlan rose quickly through the ranks to head the Department of Botany in 1948. In 1950he was named president of the Ontario Agricultural College.
During MacLachlan's tenurethere was an increased emphasis on rural societya deepened commitment to scienceresearch and intellectual growthand growing internationalism. He proposed integration of the Ontario Agricultural Collegethe Ontario Veterinary College and Macdonald Institute. The Federated Collegeswith MacLachlan as presidentwere created in 1952with a dean for each college and a Board of Regents to oversee the federation.
For many yearsthe government had resisted the pursuit of university status for the Ontario Agricultural College. Finallyin 1964the government introduced the bill to create the University of Guelph and named MacLachlan its first president. In 1956the University of Toronto conferred a Doctor of Laws degree on MacLachlan in recognition of his role in directing the founding colleges to university status with wisdom and tact.
The contributions MacLachlan made both as an academic and president were numerous. At his installation as the first president of the University of Guelphhe spoke of the need to balance the traditional role of the founding colleges with the need to be at the forefront of change. MacLachlan's skill and vision in finding this balance assured a strong beginning for the University of Guelph.
MacLachlan Building 1902
This plaque is located outside to the right of the entrance of MacLachlan Building.
For more information about the Historical Walking Tourplease contact:
Alumni Affairs & Development
(519) 824-4120 ext. 56934
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