IN MEMORIAM

Miroslav Malik, 1931 - 1998

My dear friend and colleague of more than 27 years, Miroslav Malik, was laid to rest in a quiet Sutton, Quebec, cemetery on August 27. I share his loss with many in this university and the world over.

Miroslav was born in Czechoslovakia, graduated from FAMU, Prague, in film sciences, and came to Loyola in 1967 after his work on the extremely successful multi-media presentations at the Expo 67 Czech pavilion.

He co-operated on 34 international exhibitions during his lifetime. His expertise was recognized and sought across Canada, North America and, indeed, around the world. He delivered papers and participated in conferences and research projects on virtually every continent.

Dr. Malik was one of the founding pillars of Canada's first and finest department of communication studies. He established and designed courses for the department's Learning Centre. Through a major grant, he began the Myer Pollock Research Laboratory, one of the first research labs in the field of biometrics, which ran from 1974 until his retirement in 1988. He was internationally known for his definition of information and his discoveries in the field of biocybernetics.

Although retired for some 10 years, Miroslav kept in touch with many of us in the University -- Vlad Zeman, Dennis Murphy, Don Taddeo, Gail Valaskakis, Tilly Janowitz and many others. Miroslav was an extremely intelligent, sensitive man whose generosity, willingness and eagerness to guide, mentor and help individuals carried on to his very last days. He played a major role in my career and I will carry his memory with me always.

On behalf of the University, your colleagues and students from Communication Arts and Communication Studies, we will miss you, Miroslav. Rest peacefully.

Hal Thwaites,
Gifu, Japan