November convocation
TV host, oil pioneer honoured at convocation
By Meghan Sired
George Stroumboulopoulos, the host of Canada’s popular late night talk show The Hour, and pioneering energy leader Gwyn Morgan will receive honorary degrees from the University of Calgary at its November convocation.
“The University of Calgary is extremely proud to honour these two well-known Canadians, each leaders in their own right,” said U of C chancellor Joanne Cuthbertson.
“Gwyn’s passion for our country and commitment to a world-class business community here in Canada is well-established. George’s connection with Canadian youth and his ability to provoke young peoples’ interest and capabilities in national and global events is unique and vital to our country,” she said.
The honorary degree is the university’s highest accolade, bestowed on those individuals who have made extraordinary achievements and done a great service to the community.
“I’m very excited to receive this degree, it’s such an honour for me, but I’ve got to tell you, I’m totally stoked to finally get a degree and not have to pay off a student loan,” said Stroumboulopoulos.
The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos is unlike any program on television. It is a hybrid of news and celebrity, reflected through in-depth conversations and dynamic production. Now in its fourth season, the program has won two Gemini Awards—one for best talk series in Canada, the other for best host in a talk program or series.
Also receiving an honorary degree is Gwyn Morgan, who led the creation of EnCana Corporation from the merger of Alberta Energy Company and PanCanadian Energy in early 2002, serving as founding president and chief executive officer until retiring at the end of 2005.
He was voted Canada’s most respected CEO for 2005 in a national survey of 250 chief executive officers and named Canada’s outstanding CEO of the Year of 2005 by the Financial Post Business Magazine and CTV.
In addition to the honorary degree recipients, four people will become part of the Order of the University of Calgary this fall, which recognizes those who have a record of distinguished service to the university. Those to be initiated include: U of C senator Carol Gilchrist; U of C researcher and professor Thomas Keenan; U of C volunteer and past employee Gloria Davis; and U of C PhD candidate and student leader Christine Johns, BFA’06.
This November, approximately 1,306 students will graduate. Joanne Stalinski, BSW’74, MBA’90, senior vice-president of wellness at the Calgary Health Region, will lead the graduation pledge in the morning, and Brent Devost, BEd’97, founder, president and CEO of Edge School, an independent school in Calgary for student athletes, will lead the pledge in the afternoon. (See profile.)
Convocation November 13
Jack Simpson Gymnasium
Open to the public
9:30 a.m.
Honorary degree: Gwyn Morgan
Order of U of C: Carol Gilchrist and Thomas Keenan
Degrees conferred: Schulich School of Engineering, the Faculty of Environmental Design, the Haskayne School of Business, the Faculties of Kinesiology, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Science, Social Work and
Graduate Studies.
Doors open at 8:30 a.m.
2 p.m.
Honorary degree: George Stroumboulopoulos
Order of U of C: Gloria Davis, Christine Johns
Degrees conferred: Faculties of Communication
and Culture, Education, Fine Arts, Humanities,
Social Sciences and Graduate Studies.
Doors open at 1 p.m.
Faculty members wishing to participate in the Academic Procession should register before Nov. 6 at
www.senate.ucalgary.ca/procession/.