Winter 2009 - Bishop's University

Nancy Knowlton (B.B.A. Honours '75) was a cornerstone of the Gaiters’
Women’s Basketball teams of the early 1970s. She was named Bishop’s University
Female Athlete of the Year in 1973-74, and was a four-time team MVP.
While at Bishop’s, she led the QUAA in scoring in 1972 and '73, and
was also a CIAU scoring leader. Knowlton led the Lady Gaiters to two
consecutive Quebec championships, and the Gaiters’ fi rst two appearances at
the CIAU National Championship.
In 1975, Knowlton led Quebec to a silver medal at the Canada Winter
Games and toured China as a member of the Canadian National Women’s
Basketball team.
Knowlton pursued graduate studies at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax,
where she again led the CIAU in scoring. She also accomplished the rare feat
of being named Athlete of the Year at two different universities.
Her dedication and leadership has been recognized by the Bishop’s
Women’s Basketball team naming their Team Award in her honour.
Professionally Knowlton has succeeded in the same way she did on the
court. Knowlton has won several awards for entrepreneurship, including
being named Canadian Woman Entrepreneur of the Year in 1999. She was
also awarded an honorary doctorate of commerce by Saint Mary’s University
in 2003.
The firm she founded with her husband David Martin – SMART
Technologies – is both the industry pioneer and market-segment leader in
easy-to-use interactive whiteboards and other group collaboration tools.
Your key to success? Bringing creativity and a
never-give-up attitude to all that I do.
Your proudest professional achievement?
Hearing a customer talk about how our products
have made a difference in what he or she does.
Your advice for young people? Do whatever
you do as if you want to be the best in the world
at it. Not only will you likely excel at your job, but
you will get more out of the experience than by
doing just enough to get by.
Bill Robson came to Bishop’s as a professor in 1983 and founded the Gaiters
Your key to success? Recognizing that you do not
succeed alone. You need to be able to identify and use
the skills and strengths of those you work with to create
the activities necessary to achieve common goals.
Your proudest professional achievement?
An event that occurs every year: our Graduation.
Your advice for young people? Take advantage
of opportunities to broaden and diversify your
knowledge, skill and experience base. You will need
to do so to survive and succeed in this increasingly
complex and dynamic world.
Men’s Rugby program that same year. In 25 years as Head Coach, he has led
the Gaiters to six provincial championships in ten finals appearances. His
tenure was highlighted by a 33-game winning streak from 1992-94, including
three straight provincial titles and a win in the 1992 New York Sevens
tournament.
In 1993-94, Robson was awarded the Ray Almond Award, presented for
his unselfish contribution to Bishop’s Athletics.
Robson enjoys a career as a well-liked and respected professor of
Management and Strategy in the Williams School of Business. He has served as
Dean or Chair in the School for 20 years. In his time at Bishop’s, Robson has
participated on nearly every committee at the University.
Robson also volunteered as an assistant rugby coach at Bishop’s College
School, where he helped lead the team to numerous titles, as well as on three
tours to Scotland. He refereed for 17 seasons at various levels.
Robson coached and played rugby at the University of New Brunswick
from 1977 to 1983.
Winter 2009 Bishop’s University News • Page 15