For more than half a century, Dr. F.R. (Fred) MacKinnon was a leading figure in the development of social policy at the municipal, provincial and national levels. In his later years, he focused on issues relevant to aging Nova Scotians, holding the position of Director of the Senior Citizens Secretariat for 15 years.
Dr. MacKinnon was a founding member of the Nova Scotia Centre on Aging (NSCA), having facilitated its inception in 1992 in response to the need for a university-based centre that could blend academic strengths with community involvement in age-related issues. In his own words, “The Centre will be the loom that—through consultation with seniors, research and study—will weave social policy, as it relates to aging and the aged, into a fabric.” The concepts of excellence and relevance which have characterized his own work have been the guiding principles for the NSCA’s activities.
The Endowment Fund, established in 1996 to honour the retirement of Dr. MacKinnon from public sector service, is used to support the mission and mandate of the Nova Scotia Centre on Aging. The Fund supports research, promotes education on aging issues and provides an opportunity to consult with the senior community.
All donations to the Endowment Fund are tax deductible and may be made as follows:
Dr. F.R. MacKinnon Endowment Fund
University Advancement Office
Mount Saint Vincent University
Halifax, NS B3M 2J6