Published by Communications and Public Affairs (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338
News Release
February 14, 2000
Two to receive honorary degrees at convocation
The University of Guelph will award two honorary degrees and 680 degrees and diplomas during winter convocation Feb. 23 and 24. Ceremonies to be held in War Memorial Hall.
Honorary degrees will be presented to Alan Cox, director and CEO of the National Tropical Botanical Garden in Hawaii, and Jocelyne Bourgon, president of the Canadian Centre for Management Development in Ottawa.
Convocation begins Wednesday, Feb. 23 at 10 a.m. with ceremonies for the College of Biological Science. Cox will receive a doctor of science degree and will address students.
Cox studies the medicinal and health effects of chemical compounds produced in plants. His experiments have led to the identification and patenting of two nutraceutical compounds, including treating AIDS. He conducts much of his research in Polynesia, where he works to support the culture of indigenous people. He holds academic positions at Brigham Young University and Uppsala University.
Bourgon will receive a doctorate of laws Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. during the ceremony for the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences and will address students. She was named the 17th clerk and the first woman to hold the position of Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet. She served in this capacity and as head of the Public Service of Canada from 1994 to 1999. As president of the Canadian Centre for Management Development, she is addressing the challenge of rebuilding public service leadership.
On Thursday, Feb. 24, ceremonies will be held for the College of Arts and the College of Physical and Engineering Science at 10 a.m. Prof. Emeritus Jim Hunt, Physics, will address graduates. Hunt received the Medal of Merit in 1999 and an award from the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA) for his innovative teaching methods. He is collaborating with colleagues at the University of Surrey in England on a novel approach to teaching astronomy.
At 2:30 p.m., ceremonies will be held for the Ontario Agricultural College and Ontario Veterinary College with Prof. Ian Duncan, Animal and Poultry Science, addressing graduates. Duncan holds the University Chair in Animal Welfare, and teaches courses in animal behaviour, animal care and welfare, and ethics for veterinary students.
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