Former Dalhousie president among honorary degree recipients

October 13, 2004

Former Dalhousie president among honorary degree recipients

by Charles Crosby

During fall convocation ceremonies, October 16th and 17th, 2004, Dalhousie University will award honorary degrees to three prominent Canadians inrecognition of their significant accomplishments.

The following individuals will receive a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.

	Howard Clark

Howard Clark, Saturday, October 16th, 10:00 a.m., Convocation for: Architecture and Planning, Computer Science, Engineering, Health Professions, Medicine and Law. Howard Clark was the ninth President of Dalhousie. The positive effects of his stewardship from 1986 to 1995 are still being felt today. Dr. Clark is a distinguished chemist and administrator. Beginning as a lecturer, his academic career spanned three decades. He came to Dalhousie as President in 1986 and during his presidency he was well known for being fiscally responsible while still managing growth within the university. Dr. Clark is the author of "Growth and Governance of Canadian Universities", as well as many technical articles in publications such as the Canadian Chemical News. Dr. Clark's experience taught him the value of ensuring the widest possible access to university education. As President, he strongly promoted affirmative action and he led the University's efforts to establish the James Robinson Johnson Chair in Black Canadian Studies. This work also brought him many honours. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada for his scientific work and the Chemical Institute awarded him its greatest distinction, an HonoraryFellowship.

	Wilfrid Creighton

Wilfrid Creighton, Saturday, October 16th, 2:30 p.m., Convocation for: Arts and Social Sciences, Physical and Life Sciences, Master of Business Administration. Wilfred Creighton graduated from Dalhousie in 1926 and went on to become the Deputy Minister of the Department of Lands and Forests, holding that title longer than any other deputy minister within the province. He served in various capacities with the Canadian Institute of Forestry and wrote a book titled "Forest Keeping: a history of the Department of Lands and Forests in Nova Scotia, 1926-1969". But Creighton will be honoured for more than his forestry accomplishments. At a hundred years of age, he is to be celebrated for a full life that almost encompasses the whole 20th century. He survived the Halifax Explosion at age 13, when six members of his family did not. He bought his first car in 1935. To much fanfare, he bought his most recent Ford, his favourite brand of car, one month shy of his 100th birthday ­ which happened in May 2004. He's a cherished citizen, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. And as one of the storied Creighton family, he has been unfailingly generous, in both wordand deed, to Dalhousie, his first alma mater.

	Peter Godsoe

Peter Godsoe, Sunday, October 17th, 2:00 p.m., Convocation for: Management. Peter Godsoe has become one of Canada's most respected business leaders through his career in the banking industry, which has spanned over three decades. Mr. Godsoe held the position of CEO with the Bank of Nova Scotia from 1993 until his retirement in 2003. During this time he led it to being the second largest financial institution in Canada. He has led, or helped, a host of charitable and non-profit organizations. He was Director of Mount Sinai Hospital and a member of the Board of Governors of the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews and Junior Achievement of Central Ontario, among many other positions. For his work, he was given the Order of Canada. He believes in classic Canadian values -- protecting the poor and ensuring a social security blanket. And his many volunteer positions demonstrate those beliefs. Mr. Godsoe is currently Chair of the Board of Sobey's and is a member of the Canadian Business Hall of Fame as well as an Officer of theOrder of Canada.

Dalhousie's Class of 2004

Dalhousie's fall convocation ceremonies will be held in the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium of the Dalhousie Arts Centre where 1039 Dalhousie students will graduate. Dalhousie is a comprehensive, research-intensive university withan enrolment of more than 15,500 students.