Provocative, Prolific Canadian Novelist Mordecai Richler Among Eclectic, Impressive Cast of Honorary Doctorate Recipients At York University Convocation Ceremonies

TORONTO, May 20, 1999 -- The provocative, pugnacious and highly prized Canadian novelist, journalist and essayist Mordecai Richler will be one of 11 outstanding Canadians awarded an Honorary Doctorate degree from York University during its Spring 1999 Convocation ceremonies, which run from Saturday, June 12 to Friday, June 18.

Richler, whose witty, rapier writing has immortalized Canadian characters like Duddy Kravitz, Joshua, and Barney and neighbourhoods such as Montreal's St. Urbain Street, will be recognized for his prominent role in defining Canadian literature through such works as The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz, Joshua Then & Now, Barney's Version and Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang. Richler, whose writing appears in leading North American and European magazines, will receive his Honorary Doctorate Degree Thurs., June 17, 1999, 6:30 p.m. at York University's Keele campus. The canopied Convocation site is east of the Centre for Film and Theatre.

"One of the great pleasures of convocation is recognizing the achievements of not only our newest graduates, but also of citizens whose singular contributions to their communities, their culture and to human understanding gives us proper pause and cause for reflection and high regard," said York University President Dr. Lorna R. Marsden.

Other distinguished Honorary Doctorate degree recipients who will address convocation are:

NEIL BISSOONDATH: Noted Canadian novelist, short-story writer, essayist, and York alumnus (B.A. `77 Glendon) has received acclaim for his books The Worlds Within Her (Knopf Canada, 1998/Montreal Gazette's best sellers list) The Innocence of Age, A Casual Brutality and for his short story collections Digging Up the Mountains, and On the Eve of Uncertain Tomorrows. He recently hosted Vision TV's documentary series "Vision World", and is a frequent contributor to CBC national radio programs as well as to magazines such as Saturday Night and The Idler.
Bissoondath will receive his honorary Doctor of Letters degree Sat., June 12, 2:30 p.m., on York's Glendon College campus, 2275 Bayview Avenue, on west quadrangle lawn.

LOUIS L. ODETTE: A philanthropist, art patron and businessman whose projects have included Roy Thomson Hall and the Toronto Eaton Centre, Odette has played an original, persuasive and generous role in bringing contemporary art to a wider audience. His interests in education and art led to the refurbishing of York's sculpture studio, including a resource centre for sculpture research. The resulting facility, now known as the L.L. Odette Centre for Sculpture, is unparalleled in this country and ranks among the best in North America. Odette's generosity extends as well to social welfare and educational concerns of communities, particularly to the needs of disabled children.
Odette will receive his honorary Doctor of Letters degree Mon., June 14, 2:30 p.m.

SHELDON LEVY: President of Sheridan College, former York University Vice-President, and one of York's most successful alumni (B.SC ë72, M.A. ë73)), Levy has achieved eminence as an academic administrator and leader, contributing to the innovative development of higher education throughout Ontario and Canada.
Levy will receive his honorary Doctor of Laws degree Mon., June 14, 6:30 p.m.

PETER CAMPBELL: Retired director of policy for the CBC, Campbell joined the Corporation in 1959 and held various positions in radio and television news and policy, including stints as CBC Ombudsman and the Head of Public Affairs during which time the famed program This Hour Has Seven Days was produced. Before that, he worked as diplomat, serving in the Philippines, China, Washington, Laos and Ottawa. In the mid-90's Campbell served as consultant to the critically acclaimed TV series "No Price Too High" commemorating the achievements of Canadians on the fighting fronts and at home during World War II.
Campbell will receive his honorary Doctor of Letters degree Tues., June 15, 10 a.m.

VALERIE GIBBONS: Former Ontario Deputy Minister (Community and Social Services, Consumer and Commercial Relations, Management Board), Gibbons was among the first women to rise to the Deputy Minister level. As an exemplar of the highest standard of public services, Gibbons made significant contributions to equity in the delivery of services to children and families with special needs. Now the head of a policy consulting firm, Gibbons continues to help the disadvantaged through her work with Covenant House.
Gibbons will receive her honorary Doctor of Laws degree Tues., June 15, 2:30 p.m.

ELIZABETH DOWDESWELL: During Dowdeswell's long and distinguished public service career in environmental management, she served as Director General for Environment Canada and assumed the most senior environmental position in the world as executive director of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). She played a leading role in global efforts to negotiate the treaty on climate change adopted in 1992 and while at the UN made clear her objections to French nuclear testing in the Pacific. She is also responsible for the UV Index which is part of our daily weather reports.
Dowdeswell will receive her honorary Doctor of Laws degree Tues., June 15, 6:30 p.m.

MARSHA HANEN: After more than nine years as president of the University of Winnipeg, Hanen is retiring, leaving a legacy of outstanding work in the areas of the philosophy of law and feminist theory as well as her mark in enhancing quality in teaching and higher learning in Canada. Perhaps most dramatic among her contributions, is her willingness to serve as mentor to others. Hanen was recently named to the Order of Canada.
Hanen will receive her honorary Doctor of Laws degree Thurs., June 17, 10 a.m.

ALAN G. MCNALLY: President and Chief Executive Officer of Harris Trust and Savings Bank of Chicago (a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank of Montreal) McNally is an alumnus of York University (MBA ë69) and a former member of the York Board of Governors. While in Toronto, he served as Treasurer of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation and director of Kids' Help Phone and the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business. McNally has risen rapidly through the ranks of the Canadian banking community and recently established himself as an aggressive player in a very competitive U.S. industry.
McNally will receive his honorary Doctor of Laws degree Fri., June 18, 10 a.m.

MADAM JUSTICE BEVERLEY MCLACHLIN: Appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada in 1989, McLachlin's achievements provide a model for women in the practice and study of the law. A strong supporter of legal education in law schools and within the profession, she serves on the bench with great distinction and is highly regarded as an outstanding member of the Court.
McLachlin will receive her honorary Doctor of Laws degree Fri., June 18, 2:30 p.m.

PETER SANDOR: A life-long learner and Hungarian immigrant who continued formal studies until he was 70, Sandor has made extraordinary contributions to the musical life of Toronto and Canada. In the late 1970's, he became active in the Mainly Mozart Festival and in 1984 founded the Toronto Mozart Society. He later endowed the Young Singers' Mozart Competition which gives a starting opportunity to young performers. He completed a Master's degree in business administration at York in 1974, and following his retirement began a second Master's degree in interdisciplinary studies focusing on Baroque Opera.
Sandor will receive his honorary Doctor of Laws degree Fri., June 18, 6:30 p.m.

Approximately 7,500 graduate and undergraduate students from 10 Faculties will be joining York's now 144,000-strong alumni at a pivotal time in the University's history. York, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary from March 26, 1999 to March 26, 2000, is Canada's third-largest university. It is nationally and internationally respected for its innovative research and award-winning teaching. With its combination of dedicated and talented faculty, opportunities for bright and ambitious students, dynamic curriculum and modern campuses in one of North America's most influential urban centres, York University is setting the modern standard in academic excellence.

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For more information, please contact:

Sine MacKinnon
Senior Advisor, Media Relations
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22087
email: sinem@yorku.ca

Ken Turriff
Media Relations Officer
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22086
email: kturriff@yorku.ca
YU/059/99