BCIT Broadcast founder Hugh Palmer passes

Stories and info about those no longer involved in the industry

BCIT Broadcast founder Hugh Palmer passes

Postby radiofan » Wed Jun 06, 2012 7:55 am

From Brian Antonson ...

One of the three Vancouver broadcasters who came together in the early 1960s to found BCIT's Broadcast Communications department has died just short of his 98th birthday.

Hugh Palmer was the director of CBC Television in British Columbia from 1955 to 1975. When BCIT was created in the early 1960s, the broadcast industry was asked if training for that field would be desired, and they embraced the opportunity. Hugh Palmer from the CBC, Hal Davis from CKNW, and John Ansell from CKWX came together as one of the earliest advisory committees for the Institute and designed the department and training programs that continue to flourish today. They recommended hiring long-time Vancouver broadcaster Laurie Irvine as the founding department head, and Laurie built a team of broadcast professionals who would provide instruction. When BCIT opened its doors to its first students in September 1964, the Broadcast Communications department was one of seven original programs in place.

Hal Davis passed away in 1998. John Ansell lives today in White Rock, in his mid-80s.

BCIT's was the second post-secondary broadcast training program in Canada, the first being Ryerson's which was founded in Toronto in 1948. Over the years, BCIT's Broadcast department has played a significant role in broadcast and media education across the country, including a leadership role in creating the Broadcast Educators Association of Canada. Thousands of graduates have been trained over the past 48 years, thanks to the founding work of Hugh Palmer and his colleagues.

Hugh Palmer had a storied career in various fields, first as a lawyer, then with the CBC, then in the Canadian Navy during WW2, and then again with the CBC until his retirement. He was involved in various community groups in Vancouver and published several books.

RIP for a man who did very good work.

brian
Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who couldn't hear the music.
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