April 16, 2008
McMaster announces honorary degree recipients
Hamilton, ON. – An Oscar-nominated Canadian director, a noted CBC science journalist, and the doctor who helped steer a frightened public through the SARS outbreak five years ago are among the distinguished list of those being awarded honorary degrees at McMaster University’s spring convocation.
Approximately 4,000 students will graduate in May and June this year. Honorary degree recipients are recognized for their contributions in such areas as public service, education and scholarship, creative and performing arts, and for their work within the McMaster community.
Please note: Convocation will take place at Hamilton Place, unless otherwise noted below. Where two or more people are listed as honorary degree recipients, an asterisk indicates the recipient will address convocation.
Divinity College
Tuesday, May 20, 8 p.m. (Convocation Hall, McMaster University)
- Art and John* Hurlburt, home builders and longtime supporters of the Baptist church, Doctor of Laws (LLD)
Faculty of Health Sciences
Friday, May 23, 2:30 p.m.
- Dr. Donald Low, microbiologist-in-chief at Mount Sinai Hospital, Doctor of Science (D.Sc.)
Faculty of Humanities/Arts & Science (Art, Art History, Communications Studies, Comparative Literature, Drama, Multimedia, Music, Peace Studies, Philosophy, Theatre and Film Studies, Women’s Studies)
Monday, June 9, 9:30 a.m.
- Deepa Mehta, Oscar-nominated film director and screen writer, Doctor of Laws (LLD)*
-Louise Dompierre, president & CEO, Art Gallery of Hamilton, Doctor of Laws (LLD)
Faculty of Humanities (Graduands in all other Humanities programs not included in the morning ceremony)
Monday, June 9, 2:30 p.m.
- Frank Iacobucci, retired Supreme Court justice, Doctor of Laws (LLD)*
- Ian Hacking, is a university professor and philosopher, Doctor of Letters (D.Litt)
Faculty of Science (Biochemistry, Biology, Computational Biology, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Geography, Geology, Geoscience, Kinesiology, Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Psychology)
Tuesday, June 10, 9:30 a.m.
- William Leggett, professor of biology and former Principal of Queen’s University, Doctor of Science (D. Sc.)*
- Shepard Siegel, Distinguished University Professor of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour at McMaster University, Doctor of Science (D. Sc.)
Faculty of Science (Graduands in a single or combined program with majors in Science programs not included in the morning ceremony)
Tuesday, June 10, 2:30 p.m.
- Bob McDonald, science journalist and CBC personality, Doctor of Science (D. Sc.)*
- Mary Anne White, professor of chemistry, Doctor of Science (D. Sc.)
Faculty of Business
Wednesday, June 11, 3:00 p.m.
- Donald J. Johnston, international business lawyer and former Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation, Doctor of Laws (LLD)*
- Donald Green, director of the Board of Governors at McMaster University, Chair & CEO of private investment firm, Doctor of Laws (LLD)
Faculty of Social Sciences (Geography, Gerontology, Health Studies, Psychology, Social Welfare Policy, Social Work, Social Work Practice, Sociology)
Thursday, June 12, 9:30 a.m.
- Nigel Fisher, president and CEO of UNICEF Canada, Doctor of Laws (LLD)*
- Frank E. Jones, professor emeritus of sociology at McMaster University, Doctor of Laws (LLD)
Faculty of Social Sciences (Graduands in a single or combined program with majors in all other Social Sciences programs not included in the morning ceremony)
Thursday, June 12, 2:30 p.m.
- Emoke Szathmáry, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Manitoba and former provost and vice-president (academic) at McMaster University, Doctor of Laws (LLD)*
- Frank Denton, professor emeritus of economics at McMaster University, Doctor of Laws (LLD)
School of Nursing/Faculty of Science (Medical Radiation Sciences Program)
Friday, June 13, 9:30 a.m.
- Dorothy Pringle, dean emeritus/professor emeritus of the School of Nursing, University of Toronto, Doctor of Science (DSc)
Faculty of Engineering
Friday, June 13, 2:30 p.m.
- William Pulleyblank, vice-president for IBM Business Consulting Services, Doctor of Science (D. Sc.)
McMaster University’s guidelines for the awarding of honorary degrees are available at http://www.mcmaster.ca/univsec/policy/HonoraryDegrees.pdf
McMaster University, a world-renowned, research-intensive university, fosters a culture of innovation, and a commitment to discovery and learning in teaching, research and scholarship. Based in Hamilton, the University, one of only four Canadian universities to be listed on the Top 100 universities in the world, has a student population of more than 23,000, and an alumni population of more than 131,000 in 128 countries.
-30-
For more information, please contact:
Jane Christmas
Manager, Public & Media Relations
McMaster University
905-525-9140 ext. 27988
Michelle Donovan
Public Relations Manager: Broadcast Media
McMaster University
905-525-9140 ext. 22869