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(Wolfville,
NS) - Acadia University will grant honorary degrees to
three deserving individuals during convocation ceremonies on May 9
and 10.
On Sunday, May 9, a
Doctor of Letters will be given to Sheree Fitch before she delivers
the convocation address. Fitch is an educator, literacy activist and
author of award winning children’s books. Her first book, Toes in
My Nose, was launched in 1987, the same year she began her
graduate studies at Acadia.
For over 15 years,
Fitch has given readings of her books in schools, libraries, and
festivals throughout North America. She has received numerous awards
including the Mr. Christie’s Book Award and Vicky Metcalf Award. She
also received the Ontario Silver Birch Award for If You Could
Wear My Sneakers, a book on children’s rights commissioned by
UNICEF.
Fitch’s vocation as
poet and literacy advocate has taken her to the Arctic as eight-time
poet laureate for the Peter Gzowski Invitational Golf Tournaments
for Literacy. It has also taken her to Bhutan - where she taught
writing in that country’s first national reading week - as well as
Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Belize and Mexico.
Currently, Fitch is
the spokesperson for the Read to Me! Nova Scotia Family Literacy
Program that provides books for newborn babies and literacy
information to new parents. She is also the Honorary Patron for the
New Brunswick Coalition for Literacy which recently initiated the
Sheree Fitch Adult Learner Scholarships.
On May 9, Rev. Dr.
Andrew D. MacRae will also be honoured by Acadia when he receives a
Doctor of Divinity. Born and raised in Edinburgh, Scotland, MacRae
discovered a passion for teaching and evangelism while a teenager.
He studied theology at the University of Edinburgh in the 1950s and
went on to serve as a pastor in churches throughout Scotland with a
focus on urban ministry. In 1966, he took on the role of General
Secretary and Superintendent of the Baptist Union of Scotland.
During the 1970s he held several positions of leadership
internationally including president of the European Baptist
Federation.
In 1979, Acadia
Divinity College (ADC) asked MacRae to establish a chair in
evangelism and mission - the first in Canada. From 1980 to 1985, he
served as professor of evangelism and mission, as well as director
of supervised field education and continuing education. During this
time, he continued his own studies at the University of St.
Andrew’s, Scotland graduating with a PhD in 1984.
In 1985, MacRae was
appointed principal of ADC and named dean of the Faculty of Theology
by the Governors of Acadia University. During his tenure, MacRae
introduced Acadia’s only doctoral program – a Doctor of Ministry.
Since his retirement in 1998, he has continued to serve at ADC as
Professor-Emeritus and as Director of Doctoral Studies.
On Monday, May 10,
Wolfville resident, Dwight Bishop, will be honoured by Acadia
University with a Doctor of Civil Laws. Bishop, born and raised in
the Annapolis Valley, graduated from Acadia in 1969 with a commerce
degree and shortly after joined the RCMP.
Throughout his career
with the RCMP he held several significant positions across Canada
including legal advisor at headquarters in Ottawa and Officer in
Charge of the Financial Development and Analysis Branch in Ottawa.
In 1997, Bishop became
Commanding Officer of RCMP ‘H’ Division – the province of Nova
Scotia. During this time, Bishop was responsible for the delivery of
the RCMP federal, provincial and municipal law enforcement services
in Nova Scotia. He also managed many high-profiled events, including
the Swiss Air tragedy, and championed important initiatives
including enhancing relations with Nova Scotia’s African Canadian
and First Nations communities.
Bishop has received
many awards and honours including the Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002
and the Order of Merit in 2003 from the RCMP. He is also an Honorary Chief
with the Aboriginal First Nations, Indian Brook.
In January 2004, after
retiring from over thirty years of service to the RCMP, Bishop
became Nova Scotia’s Ombudsman. He and his wife, Patricia, reside in
Wolfville.
This spring 950
students will graduate from Acadia University in the faculties of
Arts, Pure and Applied Science, Professional Studies and Theology.
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