In Memoriam: Myer Horowitz

Donate to the Myer Horowitz Student Awards

Dr. Myer Horowitz, Research Fellow and founding member of the Centre for Youth & Society (CFYS), passed away peacefully on October 24th, 2022, at the age of 89.  

Dr. Horowitz contributed to the establishment of the Centre in 2002. He was the first Chair of the CFYS Advisory Board and a great supporter of the Centre. He will be remembered as a strong advocate for interdisciplinary and community-engaged research and as an established scholar in early childhood development, education, and policy. 

Under his name, the Centre has established two Student Awards to support community-engaged research and conference presentations to enrich graduate student training and create opportunities for learning beyond the university setting and across disciplines. The Myer Horowitz Student Awards have helped countless students to pursue community-engaged research.  

It is with an extreme sense of both loss and gratitude that we celebrate the life of Dr. Myer Horowitz and his role in the establishment of the Centre for Youth & Society (CFYS). The Centre’s mission, vision and our continuing work with Victoria’s youth-serving agencies grew up with the generosity of his enduring support. He kept in touch with, nourished, and mentored each one of the three Centre’s directors (Dr. Grouzet, Dr. Marshall and Dr. Leadbeater). He was there as a wise listener and advocate at the best of times and worst of times. He was devoted to our graduate students and lent his name to a research and travel award that continues to offer funding to CFYS students. His strong voice for promoting collaborative research, community engagement, and education will without doubt reverberate in our leadership and students for many years.  

— Dr. Bonnie Leadbeater

We acknowledge that Dr. Horowitz's legacy extends well beyond the CFYS and that many other communities have been affected by his passing. Indeed, his journey began in Montreal, where he attended the School for Teachers at McDonald College, now McGill University, and became an elementary school teacher at Victoria School in 1952. In 1956, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Sir George Williams College, now Concordia University, followed by a Master's degree from the University of Alberta and a Ph.D. in education from Stanford University.  

From 1979 to 1989, he served as the President of the University of Alberta and is remembered for his outstanding leadership, campus engagement, and commitment to teacher education. He was also a former faculty member of McGill University and a beloved mentor to many. After his retirement, he and his wife Barbra relocated to Victoria in 1998. Shortly after, he became associated with Royal Roads University, the University of Victoria, and the Centre for Youth & Society.

Last May, Dr. Horowitz gave an inaugural talk at our first Flourishing Children & Youth Program Fair that marked the 20th anniversary of the Centre. His speech was memorable for all attendees, including research fellows, students, and community partners. We will remember him for the many Program Fairs to come.

We are truly grateful for all that he has done for the Centre and our ability to work with the community, children, youth, and families.