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For
more information contact:
Sheri
Woodland
Office
of Public Affairs
Acadia
University
Phone:
(902)
585-1362
Fax:
(902) 585-1072
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Acadia
University honours accomplished Canadians
For Release: May 8, 2003
(Wolfville,
NS) - At spring convocation, May 11 - 12, Acadia will
honour its most recent graduates. Joining this year's graduating
class are eight honourary degree recipients who have made
outstanding contributions to Canadian society.
During convocation
ceremonies on Sunday, May 11, a Doctor of Civil Laws will be
bestowed on James, Arthur, and John Irving, and Reverend Dr. Samuel
Mikolaski will receive a Doctor of Divinity. On Monday, May 12, Dr.
David Schindler will receive a Doctor of Science, and John Dobson,
R. Gail Fraser and Bruce Galloway will receive a Doctor of Civil
Laws.
James K. Irving has
spent over 50 years of his life working in the woods of New
Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Maine. It was his perseverance that
resulted in the first reforestation efforts in Atlantic Canada and
the planting of over 600 million trees. Under his leadership, the
Irving company has also been a pioneer in the area of forest
genetics and the cross-breeding of hardy, disease resistant trees.
Irving has also been recognized for his long-standing efforts to
protect the wild Atlantic salmon, an association that began in his
youth.
Arthur Irving attended
Acadia before joining Irving Oil in 1953. Under his leadership,
Irving Oil built Canada's largest oil refinery and grew to be the
leading marketer in Eastern Canada and New England. An avid
sportsman and outdoor enthusiast, Irving served on the Board of
Directors of Ducks Unlimited and as president from 1986 to 1988. In
1996, Irving became Chancellor of Acadia. In 2002, the three
brothers James, Arthur and John and their families gave Acadia an
unprecedented gift, the K. C. Irving Environmental Science Centre
and Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens, named in honour of their
parents.
From an early age,
John E. Irving established a reputation as a diligent and
hardworking team player. His special area of interest has been
building and construction where his attention to detail has resulted
in innovative advancements to Irving's various facilities, improving
workplace efficiency and productivity. Irving has developed a keen
interest in conserving areas of ecological and cultural
significance, and is also a strong supporter of the Arts in the
Maritimes.
Reverend Dr. Samuel
Mikolaski, born in Serbia and raised in Canada since the age of
four, is a recognized and highly respected scholar in his field of
theology and ethics. He is a graduate of Oxford University where he
received his D.Phil. Mikolaski has served at several universities
throughout North America including the North America Baptist
Theological Seminary and Atlantic Baptist University, in Moncton,
NB.
Dr. David Schindler, a
Rhodes Scholar, is recognized internationally for his research in
freshwater ecology. He has changed the nature of freshwater science
and the way systems are managed. Currently, he is the Killam
Memorial Professor of Ecology at the University of Alberta.
Schindler received the 2001 Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for
Science and Engineering, considered the highest honour for Canadian
researchers.
Born in Montreal, John
Dobson graduated with a MBA from the Harvard Business School. He is
founder of The Formula Growth Fund, one of Canada's earliest and
most successful long-term mutual funds. Dobson has also spent many
years devoting resources and energy to university work, primarily in
the area of business education and entrepreneurship. In 1997, he was
bestowed the Order of Canada.
R. Gail Fraser, an
Acadia graduate, is a well-known community volunteer and Nova Scotia
business woman. Living in Chester, NS, Fraser has played an active
role with several community groups including the Children's Aid
Society and the Chester Arts Guild. In 1978, she was elected
president of the Associated Alumni of Acadia University, later
receiving the Exceptional Volunteer Award. She has also served
twenty years on Acadia's Board of Governors.
Bruce Galloway, a
native of Montreal, graduated from Acadia with a Bachelor of
Commerce degree. Galloway spent a successful career with the Royal
Bank, holding many significant roles including Vice-Chairman. He,
along with four other members, was responsible for setting overall
strategic direction for the Royal Bank Group. Galloway was chair of
the Acadia Advantage campaign and currently serves on the Board of
Governors.
During spring
convocation, over 900 students will graduate from Acadia University
in the faculties of Arts, Pure and Applied Science, Professional
Studies and Theology.
-30-
For more information contact:
Sheri Woodland
Communications Manager
Office of Public Affairs
Acadia University
(902) 585-1362
Acadia
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