Honouring a mother's passion for art

By Karmen Dowling
February 2010


Ted Hewitt, Western Vice-President (Research & International Relations), says no one should have regrets.

This is why after his mother’s death in 2008, Hewitt was inspired by his mother’s life regret and created the Bess A. Hewitt Scholarship in Visual Arts.

“After my mom finished high school she wanted to go on to university and pursue her passion for art and drawing, but instead she got married and had six kids,” says Hewitt. “She often said how she wished she continued on in school and art – not doing so was the one regret she always had.”

Even in her 90’s, Bess was still drawing sketches with her charcoal, some of which Ted made sure to keep. Soon after Bess’s death, Ted decided to use some of his inheritance as well as his own money to create a scholarship to honour his mother and help students who share his mother’s passion for art. The first recipient of the $1,000 scholarship, Rene Vandenbrink, is currently completing her BA in Visual Arts. Upon graduation in 2011, she plans to continue making art and actively participate in the regional art community.

Hewitt said when he met Vandenbrink in the fall he knew that creating the scholarship was the best way to honour his mother.

“It felt right,” says Hewitt. “Rene was the perfect fit, and she was about the same age my mom would have been when she made that decision to get married and raise a family rather then go on to school. Rene and her family were so grateful and I think my mom would be proud of that and the legacy that will last forever.”

While Hewitt says his mom would be happy to know her family is helping students pursue the same dream she had, he suspects she may have been angry with him for not spending his inheritance on himself (other than the suit he bought which he says would have made her very happy). But, he adds, this is one of those situations where not listening to your mother is a good thing.

“By investing in our own university we are improving the quality of education and helping our students to achieve and reach their dreams,” notes Hewitt. “Nobody should have regrets in life and if this is one way to contribute to make sure some of our students have a leg-up and don’t have those regrets, then I made the right decision in how to honour my mom.”

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