Seneca College RED 2020 - 44

BACK IN THE DAY

IN MARCH 2020, Seneca lost alumnus Marv Southcott (pictured above,
For his extraordinary contributions to the Seneca community, Mr.
left), the first-ever elected student president in our history.
Southcott was named a Senecan of Distinction in 2019 and attended
Mr. Southcott, who studied Electronics Engineering Technology, the ceremony at Newnham Campus with his beloved wife, Mary.
was the owner of some other notable Seneca firsts, including first
While he obtained the education he needed to launch a successful
student recipient of the Seneca Cup (the highest student honour
career building broadcast audio tuners and receivers, Mr. Southcott
available) and the first convocation speaker at the ceremony for
was also instrumental in building Seneca's identity. He worked
Fashion Arts students in 1968.
closely with founding President Dr. William T. Newnham to
In his later years, these accomplishments were still fresh in Mr.
establish a strong relationship between students and administrators
Southcott's memory and close to his heart. He took a chance on
and even conducted interviews with visiting dignitaries for the
Seneca - a new experiment in Ontario postsecondary education - Seneca TV station.
as a 27-year-old coming off a short-lived career in law enforcement.
At Seneca, Mr. Southcott realized the most important thing you
Mr. Southcott was in need of a way forward and a place to belong.
can do in life is to educate yourself and obtain the insights and
Seneca provided both.
tools to be successful.
" Seneca changed me, indelibly, for the rest of my life, " he said.
" My education opened so many doors for me, " he said in 2019.
" It took me by the horns. It shook me. "
" It brought me what I was missing. "

RED

2020

PHOTO: SENECA ARCHIVES

Mourning an early
Seneca leader

Seneca College RED 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Seneca College RED 2020