This issue's handsome and distinguished cover person, Jake Eberts, BEng'62, was photographed backstage after receiving an honorary degree from McGill in October. Both the setting and the subject are very appropriate. As a film producer ­ and a most successful one ­ his work takes place behind the scenes, and as the person to embody our international theme (this is our "worldwide" edition, sent to all graduates and recent donors), Jake is an ideal choice. He lives in France, maintains his company's office in England, conducts some of his business in the U.S. and takes family holidays in his native Quebec, where his latest movie was shot.

Depending on the printer gods and where you live, you should receive this issue around December 10 -- a significant international anniversary and the inspiration for one of our articles. On that day in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. McGill graduate (of four different faculties) and law professor John Humphrey wrote the first draft of that remarkable document. As a result of childhood trauma -- he lost an arm at the age of six due to injuries suffered in a fire and was orphaned at 11 -- Humphrey learned compassion for the underdog, and his own struggles led to a lifelong crusade for the rights of the oppressed.

Another article tells of another 50th anniversary -- that of the Alma Mater Fund. The Fund broke records for money collected in its founding year -- little wonder with the likes of alumnus and businessman E.P. Taylor behind it. Taylor helped launch the Fund, bringing to bear his business savvy, considerable organizing skills (he had been responsible for the purchase and distribution of munitions and supplies during World War II) and his personal airplane.

Homecoming, too, is about anniversaries. This year, visitors from as far away as Australia and Nigeria were here to renew friendships and join the fun. One new event proved an instant hit. At "Lunch et Livres," guests dined at the recently opened caf&ecaute; on the second floor of the Bookstore and got to meet some McGill authors. The Leacock Luncheon, long a Homecoming highlight, was, as ever, a hoot. Vice-Principal and oxymoron (a humorous administrator) Derek Drummond hosted the event, which he billed as "politically incorrect, unilingual, irreverent and irrelevant."

Reminding his audience that "he who laughs last thinks slowest," and repeating Mark Twain's observation that "sacred cows make the best hamburger," he poked fun at the Queen, her family, most politicians and everyone at the head table. He then served up guest speaker Josh Freed, author, Montreal Gazette columnist and former Daily-ite, who said he was a little surprised to be there, since "most Montreal school reunions take place in Toronto."

This year was also a milestone for the Faculty of Law (150 years), the Faculty of Religious Studies (50), the Centre for Research and Teaching on Women (10), and the Hong Kong branch of the Alumni Association, whose members invited Principal Shapiro to join them in November as they celebrated 20 years of existence. For those who won't get the chance to talk with him in person, the

Principal shares some thoughts on new directions for McGill in this issue. His office recently published a short document tracing the strategic planning process at the University over the last few years. Interested readers can find it on the web at ww2.mcgill.ca/documents/thinking.htm.

With the new year just a few weeks away, the McGill News gets set to mark its own anniversary. The magazine's first edition -- with Stephen Leacock as head of the Editorial Committee -- was published in 1919. Like the current issue, it was mailed to all graduates and featured an article about an honorary degree recipient -- the 25-year-old Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII).

Some of the content is especially poignant, with lists of war dead and of faculty and students who succumbed to the influenza epidemic. Among the news items was the announcement that Dentistry had been "raised to the dignity of a Faculty," and there was a tribute to Sir William Peterson, principal for 24 years, who was retiring after being "stricken with apoplexy and paralysis" at a fundraising event.

But the war was finally over, there was a sense of optimism on campus, and editor Eric Leslie, BSc'16, LLD'61, wrote that the Editorial Committee hoped "this wonderful publication will find a warm welcome and a ready appreciation in the hearts of those to whom it directs its appeal." Happily, 80 years later, both Mr. Leslie and the News are still around.