Highest
honours bestowed on brightest stars
By Grady
Semmens
Acclaimed
Canadian filmmaker Atom Egoyan, former Canadian Football League commissioner
Douglas Mitchell, Calgary arts patron and
community activist Mary Rozsa de Coquet and outgoing U
of C Students’ Union
President Bryan West are among the 16 respected and talented individuals
who will be conferred with the University of Calgary’s highest
honours in convocation ceremonies May 11 to June 9.
“We
have chosen to recognize some of the world’s brightest scholars,
devoted community members and talented artists,” says Chancellor
Bill Warren, who will preside over his last set of convocations
in the wrap-up of his four-year term as U of C chancellor. “Convocations
will be particularly special for everyone this year, since
they fall on the university’s 40th anniversary.”
The schedule
for May/June convocations and recipients of Honorary Degrees (HD)
and the Order of the University of Calgary (OTUC)
are as follows:
Thursday,
May 11, 2 p.m.
Faculties of
Medicine and Law
Dr.
Balfour Mount (HD): Identified as a father of palliative care, Mount is responsible
for Canada being recognized internationally
as a leader in the innovation and implementation of high-quality
end-of-life care.
Christopher
Levy (OTUC): In addition to his work in the Faculty of Law and several
community organizations, Levy has helped
make U of C a leader in research ethics across the country.
Monday, June 5,
2 p.m.
Schulich School of
Engineering Margaret
(Peggy) Simons (OTUC): Retired as associate dean of the Schulich School
of Engineering in 2002, she was instrumental
in developing the Minds in Motion program with a mandate
to bring young people enriched experience and knowledge in science,
engineering
and
technology.
Tuesday,
June 6, 9:30 a.m.
Faculties of
Kinesiology and
Science
Douglas
Mitchell (HD): This leader in the Canadian legal profession is also
a former professional football player, commissioner
of the CFL from 1984 to 1989 and an outstanding supporter
of inter-university athletics
in Canada for more than three decades. Past president of
the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, he has demonstrated keen interest
in post-secondary education through his service as chairman
of the board
of SAIT.
Norma
Klein (OTUC): Known for her exceptional work ethic as a counsellor and ambassador,
she held senior staff positions
with the Faculty of Science and the Department of Biological
Sciences.
Tuesday, June 6,
2 p.m.
Faculty of Science Dr.
Laszlo Lovasz (HD): Regarded as one of the greatest mathematicians and computer
scientists of our time, he is one of the founders
of the special international university program in mathematics
called “Budapest
Semesters,” which is a highly popular semester program in Budapest
introducing mathematics and research to future generations.
Dr.
Finley Campbell (OTUC): Recognized for his academic insight, managerial skills
and the successful relationship he built
with the professional geology community, he has dedicated
more than 30 years
of service to the U of C, including several vice-presidential
portfolios.
Wednesday,
June 7, 9:30 a.m. Faculty of Social
Sciences
Dr.
Martha Piper (HD): Piper has made a significant contribution to the improvement
of the post-secondary education system in
Canada through a distinguished academic career as a scholar,
teacher, researcher,
a vice-president of research, and most recently, as a university
president (at UBC.)
Judith
Romanchuk (OTUC): An outstanding advocate locally, nationally and
internationally as Honorary Consul of Finland, she is a
past member of the Haskayne School of Business advisory council,
and since 2001
has chaired the Faculty of Social Sciences’ Community Advisory
Board.
Wednesday,
June 7, 2 p.m.
Faculty of Social
Sciences
Sidney
Cyngiser (HD): Offered to groups in schools, colleges, universities
and service clubs, his personal talks about the
Holocaust have helped teach the tragedy of the genoside and
the lessons learned
in order to recognize and confront racism, hatred and intolerance
in society.
Thursday,
June 8, 9:30 a.m. Faculties of Fine Arts, Humanities and Nursing
Mary
Rozsa de Coquet (HD): A community leader, patron and developer of artistic
life, she has a deep interest in and loyalty to
the University of Calgary where she received a Bachelor of
Education degree and Diploma
in Education. Her quiet diligence has creatively advanced
the well being and civility of the community.
William
Laing (OTUC): A versatile researcher and teacher in the Faculty of
Fine Arts, he has gained exemplary recognition
over his 38-year career as a practicing printmaker and for
the development of
exchange programs offering students invaluable international
learning experiences.
Thursday,
June 8, 2 p.m.
Haskayne School
of Business
Frederick
Mannix (HD): A prominent Calgarian, Albertan and Canadian who has
also been a strong supporter of the University
of Calgary for many years, this man of vision is keenly interested
in the Canadian
military and has worked diligently and collaboratively to
promote an active defence program. His considerable initiative led
to the development
of a unique agreement between the Museum of the Regiments
and the U
of C ’s Information Resources department and University Archives.
Friday,
June 9, 9:30 a.m.
Faculties of
Communication
and Culture,
Environmental Design and Social Work
Atom
Egoyan (HD): One of the most respected and talented Canadian cultural icons
of our time, his films have explored issues
of identity, multi-culturalism, marginalization and the need
to establish human contacts
and create strong community ties in the face of an alienating
world.
Helen Holmes (OTUC): Her 25-year service to the university
included three years as the president of the Faculty Association
and president’s advisor on the status of women. Holmes
is currently with the Faculty of Communication and Culture
and serves as the senior associate dean for student affairs
in the Undergraduate Programs Office.
Friday,
June 9,
2 p.m.
Faculty of
Education
Bryan
West (OTUC): As Students’ Union president for two
consecutive years (2004–2006), his initiatives included
improved student and university finances, through renegotiation
of the student dental and health plan, funding for MacEwan
Hall and the successful establishment of “Quality Funds” from
the Board of Governors to support Students’ Union initiatives
and projects.
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