Image: MP Blaine Thacker participating in the Third Annual Terry Fox Run held in Indian Battle Park, September 19, 1983. Courtesy Galt Museum & Archives.
Dr. Blaine Thacker (LLD ’06) was always fond of the University of Lethbridge. It is this fondness that inspires the Blaine Thacker Memorial Award, an endowed scholarship for graduate students conducting agricultural research at ULethbridge.
“That was his word, fond,” says Sue Evans, Blaine’s wife. Blaine’s emotional connection to the University was something that was very special to him, and the scholarship is a way of showing this support and passing it on to others.
The Blaine Thacker Memorial Award will provide assistance to a student to help them afford their education. Since Blaine had strong ties to the agricultural sector, the award is dedicated specifically to help students in an MA or MSc program who are conducting research related to agriculture.
Blaine’s life and his legacy are marked by his kindness and generosity, his willingness to help others and a sense of adventure. A lawyer by trade and serving as the second Chair of the University’s Board of Governors from 1974 to 1978, Blaine remained an avid supporter of ULethbridge, until his passing in early 2020 at the age of 79.
Blaine was born in Taber and raised on a farm near Burdett. Historically, his family were miners, but given the danger of the occupation, they decided to move to rural Alberta and run a farm. His ties to the farming community continued into his education, as Blaine attended Olds Agricultural College. He truly became a student when he went to college, excelling in his program and making his way to the University of Alberta, where he obtained his BSc in Agriculture.
Blaine kept close ties with his classmates, some of whom were his greatest friends. He began his career as a lawyer with Virtue and Co., later becoming a partner in the firm. Blaine was an admirer of Peter Lougheed, who sparked his interest in politics when he was at the University of Alberta. In 1979, Blaine ran for Member of Parliament with the Progressive Conservative Party and was elected, serving in that capacity until 1993. Jamie Christie, who worked for Blaine while he was an MP, says Blaine was upfront and honest in his work and made sure he did right by his constituents.
In 1993, after four terms in office, Blaine returned to the law profession and was appointed Queen's Counsel, and in 2006, the University presented Blaine with an honorary Doctor of Laws.
This love of learning is evident throughout Blaine’s career. Even in retirement, Blaine kept working hard, particularly in education. He connected with World University Services to teach in Vietnam, where he spent several semesters teaching English to law professors and students and Comparative Law at Can Tho University.
Blaine’s commitment to helping others, his enthusiastic spirit, and his dedication to his community was evident in all parts of his life. It is in this spirit of Blaine with which the Blaine Thacker Memorial Award was created, representing Blaine’s values, his ties to community and agriculture and his lifelong love of learning.
The Blaine Thacker Memorial Award has a fundraising goal of $25,000, which will create an endowed scholarship for students. The value of the award will be $1,000 and will be established in perpetuity in Blaine's name once the fundraising goal is met. All donations are greatly appreciated.
Or via mail to:
University of Lethbridge
Office of External Relations
Development Department
4401 University Drive
Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4
Please reference the Blaine Thacker Memorial Award on your cheque or within your correspondence.