Headlines/August 24, 1993 Mircho Jakobow ARTIST AND TEACHER WILL BE REMEMBERED BY MANY Mircho Jakobow of the Fine Arts and Graphic Design departments, one of the first instructors hired by Fraser Valley College, died on July 7. He is survived by his wife, Graphic Design program — head Janina Jakobow. When Mircho Jakobow died, students, faculty and staff at UCFV lost a special friend and colleague. They also lost an exceptional instructor who inspired hundreds of students over the past 18 years. Mircho was a gifted artist who, together with his wife Janina, established and nurtured the highly successful Graphic Design and Fine Arts programs at UCFV. Mircho was born in Braila, Romania, in 1930 into a family of skilled boat builders. As World War II approached, Mircho suffered persecution from Radical Nationalist groups because his family did not have Romanian citizenship. Mircho was forbidden to attend school, his father was arrested and imprisoned, and the family was eventually deported to Bulgaria. Following the war, Mircho completed high school and enrolled in the art school in Sofia, Bulgaria. From there he travelled to Peking, China, to continue his studies in art and printmaking. Mircho received his master’s degree with honours from the Central Academy of Art. From 1953-58 he travelled extensively throughout China, drawing and painting everywhere he went, capturing in his brilliant and unique style both people and landscapes. His work was frequently published in prestigious magazines in China and elsewhere in the world. One of his special interests was in graphic art that promoted world peace. Many of his powerful woodcuts were published worldwide. In 1956 Mircho was awarded one of the two gold medals which were presented at an international graphics show in Germany. The other medal went to Pablo Picasso. During a one-man show at the Chinese Professional Artists Association, favourable comments by the last Chinese emperor’s brother, Po-Sue-Thai, himself a famous musician, elevated Mircho into the leading group of artists in China. Later his work was also recognized with medals from the Bulgarian government and grants from the Edward Munk Foundation and later the Canada Council. When he returned to Europe in 1959 Mircho was drafted into the Bulgarian army where he spent several years in an artillery unit and working at the war museum. He disliked this work except for the opportunity to make documentary drawings during naval exercises. Under increasing political pressures and intellectual repression, Mircho was finally able to flee to Canada in 1972. In 1975 he joined Fraser Valley College and began a quest to improve the quality of lithography for his students and all artists. He developed new methods for aluminum plate lithography and improved other printing techniques. In 1985 he built a printing studio in Maple Ridge where he could produce the highest quality artistic editions with minimum effort. The influence of Mircho’s childhood created a lifelong fascination with the wind and the human ingenuity to use its power in sailing ships. During his tenure as an instructor and artist at Fraser Valley College, his love of ships resurfaced as he began painting historic scenes incorporating magnificent sailing ships. His work was meticulously researched and detailed. He collected an extensive library on the subjects of lithography and naval vessels. His memberships in the World Ship Society, Maritime Museum Society and Printroom Craftsman Association showed his combined love of these subjects Mircho Jakobow will be remembered and missed by his wife Janina, his many students, colleagues and friends. Donations in his memory may be made to the Mircho Jakobow scholarship fund to be established at UCFV. Donors may send cheques, payable to the University College of the Fraser Valley, to the president’s office, and indicate that the donation is for the Mircho Jakobow scholarship fund. Thanks from Jocelyn Dear Colleagues, 1640. Jocelyn Cass I should like to thank all of you who contributed to the gifts I received at the Humanities/English dinner on May 27. The cheque was overwhelmingly generous, especially as in recent years I seem to have spent as much time in doctors’ surgeries as in the college — some of you have long memories! The cartoon will hang in my study at home and the money will help me to buy the three vastly expensive volumes of the Short Title Catalog of English Books Before I have enjoyed my time at UCFV and leave you with real regret. Thank you for your generosity and for the help and companionship of many years. Equity, continued impairments, such as braille signage, and visible fire alarms. Organizers plan to launch a drive to raise funds for the bursary. Anyone with ideas, suggestions, or offers to help should call Carol Hardy at local 4210. “We have really enjoyed the challenge of co-chairing the Equity committee and working closely with everyone involved — all members worked hard and contributed generously to make the year a success,” notes Carol Hardy, who co-chaired the Year of Equity committee with Susan Witter.