Entrepreneur, new chancellor and former United Way CEO honoured
One's an entrepreneurial icon, one's a visionary and the other helped make Canadian constitutional history. Royal Roads University is recognizing all of them at the university's 28th convocation at Victoria's Royal Theatre today.
Honorary Doctor of Laws degree recipient W. Brett Wilson is a respected business leader who has distinguished himself as both an innovative investment banker and a dynamic philanthropist. He is also a panelist on CBC's Gemini-award winning show Dragons' Den.
"With his flair for innovation, elevated sense of ethics and compassion for community, W. Brett Wilson is a tremendous example of the quality of businessperson operating in western Canada," said Royal Roads University president Allan Cahoon. "Many budding entrepreneurs have had the privilege of being mentored by Brett, which is positively impacting the face of Canadian entrepreneurship."
"I am delighted to receive this honour because the ideals of Royal Roads University - promotion of life-long learning, dynamic entrepreneurship and inspired leadership - are ideals that I share and have committed much of my life toward achieving," Wilson said.
Maureen Duncan is the former chief executive officer of the United Way of Greater Victoria and her Chancellor's Community Recognition Award celebrates her role in making Greater Victoria a better place to live. Under her leadership, the United Way of Greater Victoria worked more closely with the community and, over 14 years, raised $64 million.
"I am very humbled," Duncan said of the award. "Working in the community is second nature for me.... The fact of being nominated by your colleagues really makes you feel that you are appreciated. Achievements in the non-profit sector are not usually done for recognition; the work is part of giving back to the community, but awards such as this offer encouragement for people to keep doing the excellent work they do.
Peter Meekison, a respected federalist and constitutional expert, will be installed as the university's fourth chancellor. He assumes the position after Peter Robinson, a member of the university's Board of Governors since 2004, completed a full six-year term - the last three as chancellor.
"Peter Meekison has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to innovative thinking in matters of significant national interest," Cahoon said. "As a valued mentor and educator, his contribution to Canada and the world make him a timely fit to lead the next period of growth at Royal Roads."
Meekison served as a constitutional advisor to the Government of Alberta, a member of a Royal Commission in Canada and a consultant to emerging national federations in other parts of the world. He was recognized by former prime minister Pierre Trudeau and former Alberta premier Peter Loughheed as one of the creators of what is now the amending formula in Canada's Constitution.
Meekison is a distinguished university Emeritus professor of political science at the University of Alberta. He has also held the positions of vice-president (academic) from 1984 to 1991, the Belzberg Chair in Constitutional Studies (Faculty of Law) from 1991 to 1995, chair of the political science department, and associate dean of graduate studies.
This year's convocation ceremonies will be held at the Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton St., in Victoria. The morning ceremony, in which Meekison will be officially installed, is scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. The afternoon ceremony, where Wilson and Duncan will be honoured, is scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m.
The ceremonies are followed by an open house on the grounds of Royal Roads University at Hatley Park National Historic Site, 2005 Sooke Rd., from noon to 6 p.m.
For media queries, contact:
Communications Officer, Phil Saunders
phil.saunders@royalroads.ca 250-391-2526, cel 250-812-5065
