Noted Economist to Receive Honorary Doctorate at Winter 2014 Convocation
February 12, 2014 - News Release
A renowned economist and a respected entrepreneur will receive honorary doctorates from the University of Guelph during winter convocation, which runs Feb. 19 and 20 in War Memorial Hall.
More than 1,000 graduands will receive their degrees during the ceremonies.
Warren Jestin, an economist at Scotiabank, will receive his honorary doctorate during the College of Management and Economics (CME) ceremony, Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. Earle O’Born, a leading entrepreneur who built a printing company, will receive his honorary doctorate at the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences and Ontario Veterinary College ceremony Feb. 20 at 10 a.m.
Jestin, who graduated from Guelph with an MA in economics in 1971, has been a strong supporter of the University for a number of years, including serving as a frequent guest lecturer and the inaugural economist-in-residence.
He worked for the Bank of Canada and taught economics at several Canadian universities before joining Scotiabank in 1979. A member of the C.D. Howe Institute’s monetary policy council, he served on economic policy committees of the Canadian and Ontario chambers of commerce and the Toronto Board of Trade. He chairs Scotiabank’s sponsorship and donations committee and serves on the board of the Markham-Stouffville Hospital.
Jestin has served on the board of the University of Guelph Heritage Fund and the U of G Board of Governors, and has chaired the CME advisory board. He has created and supported several student scholarships.
O’Born will be recognized for his expertise in business and philanthropy. He was 22 when he and his brother bought a small print shop in Toronto and launched The Printing House (TPH). Today, TPH is one of the largest privately owned branch networks in Canada.
With his wife, Janice, O’Born founded the TPH Charitable Office, which has raised millions of dollars for charities across the country. Supporters of Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children, they co-chaired the Brazilian Ball for Sick Kids in 2009 that raised more than $2.9 million.
Three professors from the Ontario Agricultural College will be named as University Professors Emeriti for their service to the University: Steve Leeson, Lawrence Schaeffer and Jack Trevors.
Leeson started at U of G in 1977 and had a prolific research career, averaging 10 publications per year until semi-retirement in 2011. He is considered one of the world’s leading poultry nutritionists.
Schaeffer has received international acclaim for helping improve the genetics of dairy livestock. He was at U of G from 1975 until semi-retirement in 2011, and continues to provide leadership to the Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock.
Trevors has studied environmental microbiology at Guelph for 30 years. He has investigated the origin of genetic instructions, gene transfer in bacteria, soil bioremediation and pathogens in the environment. He has worked with more than 60 graduate students, research associates, post-doctoral fellows and undergraduate project students.
For a full listing of the winter convocation ceremonies, visit uoguelph.ca/convocation/timing/.
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt, 519-824-4120, Ext. 53338, or lhunt@uoguelph.ca; or Kevin Gonsalves, Ext. 56982, or kgonsalves@uoguelph.ca.
