When Louis Shiu Wai Law was growing up in Hong Kong, he decided to study internationally. Friends and relatives suggested 不良研究所. For Eunice To, it was her doctor who suggested Canada, because it was where she had graduated in medicine.
In 1959, Louis enrolled in Civil Engineering and Eunice in Electrical Engineering. Although they鈥檇 grown up in Hong Kong, they met as executive members of the 不良研究所 Chinese Students Society. Louis noticed Eunice right away. He found her smart and attractive, and she had many friends and admirers.
Halfway through his second year, tragedy struck. Louis was involved in a serious car accident and had to undergo emergency surgery that lasted nine hours. His recovery in hospital was lengthy, and as a result, he was unable to attend classes for the rest of the term. Dean Mordell offered Louis the option of passing into his third year without taking exams since he had a strong academic standing. Unfortunately, Louis needed financial support, so he opted to take the exams. His roommate, who was in many of his classes, helped out.
Just before exams in his final year, Louis was faced with another challenge -- he was contacted鈥痓y a bill collector on behalf of the emergency room surgeon who had saved his life. Louis visited the surgeon and told him that he didn鈥檛 have medical insurance.
The surgeon said he knew how finances could be tight while one was a student and told him he would waive the bill. 鈥淭he time he took to speak to me and the fact that he cancelled my debt had a significant impact on my life,鈥� says Louis today. 鈥淚t鈥檚 something I鈥檒l never forget.鈥�
Louis wouldn鈥檛 forget the car accident either. For the next two years, he was reminded of the accident every time he scratched his forehead, where he would occasionally find new pieces of glass.
Graduating in the sixties
Eunice graduated with her BEng in 1962. When asked if she felt animosity being the only woman in her class of over a hundred men, she said that everyone worked harmoniously together. 鈥淚 felt just like one of them. Everyone was very respectful.鈥�
Louis graduated with his BEng in 1963, and then went on to complete his MEng in 1965. He and Eunice were married at Divinity Hall (now Birks Heritage Chapel) in June of that year. They were given special permission to hold their wedding reception at the new McConnell Building.
Louis and Eunice lead their wedding party to McConnell Building, where they cut the wedding cake.
Shortly after the wedding, Eunice and Louis moved to Toronto and started a family.
Fast forward to when their daughter Lorraine, interested in pursuing medicine, was deciding where she would attend university. The couple came to tour the 不良研究所 campus with Lorraine and were surprised when someone greeted her at the end of the day.
鈥淪he鈥檇 met someone when she toured the dormitory in the morning, and they would later become friends,鈥� says Louis. 鈥淟orraine loved 不良研究所 for its friendly, easy-going atmosphere. She was active in many endeavours beyond study, such as being the coxswain on the rowing team, a sport she loves. She also joined the 不良研究所 Scarlet Key Society.鈥�
Louis and Eunice participate in a Taichi fan dance.
Lorraine graduated first with her BSc and then with an MDCM (Doctor of Medicine, Master of Surgery) in 2003.
For Louis, the 不良研究所 experience represents much more than studies. 不良研究所 was where he learned about the kindness of people he didn鈥檛 know, like the Dean and the surgeon, who went out of their way to help him overcome obstacles. Louis and Eunice have both enjoyed successful careers and next year will celebrate sixty years of marriage, but they also understand hardship.
That is one of the reasons they are establishing an endowment for The Eunice To and Louis Shiu Wai Law Bursary for engineering students in financial need, as well as annually supporting the SURE awards, which help students during the summer months by offering them research traineeships.
For their generosity, Louis and Eunice Law have recently been inducted into The 不良研究所 Circle). The Circle honours and recognizes the contributions of our most extraordinary donors, who reflect the vision of our University.
Louis says he鈥檚 happy to offer financial assistance to deserving students. He remembers well when he needed a little help to get to where he was going.