WATERLOO, Ont. (Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2010) - David Johnston, Governor General Designate, is among four people being honoured during the University of Waterloo's fall convocation to be held next month.
At convocation on Saturday, Oct. 23, Johnston, ranked among the most respected and admired educators and public servants in Canada, will receive an honorary doctor of laws degree. As a former president of the University of Waterloo (Johnston takes office as Governor General on Oct. 1), he will also be recognized as a president emeritus. He will address graduating students in the faculties of applied health sciences and arts. The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. in the Physical Activities Complex.
During his 11-year tenure at Waterloo, Johnston oversaw unprecedented growth in the university’s reputation, teaching and research resources, as well as its leadership capabilities. He is credited for putting the university and the surrounding region on the national map as a centre for talent, ideas and innovation through his vision of a knowledge capital that raised the sights of Waterloo to aspire to world leadership.
He also demonstrated the value of collaboration among academics, government, philanthropists and business to boost community building and economic development.
At the same ceremony, Catharine Scott, former associate provost, human resources and student services, will be made an honorary member of the university. In a career spanning more than 36 years at Waterloo, Scott made significant contributions through her long-standing participation on university-level committees on staff relations, staff compensation, and pensions and benefits.
To provide a safe and healthy environment for students to study and grow, Scott created a framework for first-year orientation. Student Life 101 in the summer and special campus days during the year allowed parents to come to Waterloo and learn about the university and the many services available to their sons and daughters.
In convocation's afternoon ceremony, Ronald Graham, who holds the Irwin and Joan Jacobs Endowed Chair in Computer and Information Science at the University of California at San Diego, will receive an honorary doctor of mathematics degree. Graham is one of the world’s most eminent scholars in the field of discrete mathematics and his contributions have had a major impact on the development of computer science, combinatorics and optimization.
In 1978, he was granted a Guinness World Record for the largest number ever used in a mathematical proof, known as “Graham's number.” He will address graduating students in the faculties of engineering, environment, mathematics and science. The event starts at 2 p.m. in the Physical Activities Complex.
Also at the ceremony, Pingkai Ouyang, president of the Nanjing University of Technology in China, will receive an honorary doctor of engineering degree. He is one of the most prominent researchers and educators in biochemical engineering in the world, as well as a pioneer and leader in Chinese biochemical engineering. Under his leadership, Nanjing University of Technology has formed a formal collaborative research and education relationship with the University of Waterloo.
About Waterloo
The University of Waterloo, located at the heart of Canada's Technology Triangle, is one of Canada's leading comprehensive universities. Waterloo is home to 30,000 full- and part-time undergraduate and graduate students who are dedicated to making the future better and brighter. Waterloo, known for the largest post-secondary co-operative education program in the world, supports enterprising partnerships in learning, research and discovery. For more information about Waterloo, visit www.uwaterloo.ca.
Contact:
John Morris, Waterloo media relations, 519-888-4435 or jmorris@uwaterloo.ca
Waterloo release no. 72
