Concordia Journal Home > Archives > May 13, 2010 issue >

Concordia to recognize Canada’s finest 

Seven honorary doctorates will be awarded

Arts and Science
Robert Charlebois, OC, OQ
Singer, Songwriter

Robert Charlebois is a commanding presence in Quebec show business: successful singer, songwriter, actor, performer, multimedia creator and groundbreaking innovator. Known for his epic shows, Charlebois has an enduring capacity to move and entertain audiences for the past 40 years. In recognition of numerous achievements, he is featured on a Canada Post stamp for recording artists. He was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1999 and the National Order of Quebec in 2008.

Arts and Science
Eleanor Wachtel, CM
CBC Radio Broadcaster

As the host of CBC Radio’s award winning Writers & Company, Eleanor Wachtel is Canada’s preeminent voice in literary conversation, fostering appreciation for writing, culture and the arts. She has interviewed the world’s greatest novelists, poets, essayists, biographers, critics, filmmakers and playwrights and redefined journalism about literature. In 2002, Wachtel was named winner of the Jack Award for the promotion of Canadian books and authors. She was appointed Member of the Order of Canada in 2005.

Arts and Science
Richard W. Pound, OC, OQ
Founding Chair, World Anti-Doping Agency former Vice-President, International Olympic Committee

Lawyer, Olympic athlete, author, university leader, Richard W. Pound is best known internationally for his fearless defense of ethical standards in amateur and professional sports. A member of the International Olympic Committee since 1978 and founding Chairman of the World Anti-Doping Agency, Pound has embodied the spirit of voluntary public service in a distinguished career in public and sports administration. Among his honours, Time Magazine selected him as one of the 100 most influential people of 2005.

John Molson School of Business
Laurent Beaudoin, CC, FCA, OQ
Former CEO and current Chair of Bombardier Inc.

Throughout his extraordinary 45-year career at Bombardier Inc., Laurent Beaudoin has influenced the shape of transportation on five continents. He became president and CEO at 28. Under his leadership, the company constantly diversified in response to market shifts. Today, Bombardier is a global leader in rail equipment manufacturing and servicing as well as aerospace, with 62 900 employees worldwide. He has been widely recognized for his success and was inducted into Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame in 1999.

John Molson School of Business
Jean Chrétien, PC, OM, CC, QC
Former Prime Minister of Canada

Among his many accomplishments as Canada’s 20th Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Jean Chrétien has truly contributed to the advancement of post-secondary education in Canada. His government launched numerous programs which have had a profound impact nationwide, including the Canada Research Chairs programs, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Trudeau Foundation Fellowships and the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation. For his outstanding efforts, he received the Order of Merit from Queen Elizabeth II last year.

Engineering and Computer Science
Julie Payette, CQ
Astronaut, Engineer

Julie Payette is an accomplished astronaut, engineer and representative of Canada, having spent 25 days in orbit. At the age of 29, she beat out 5 000 applicants to become one of four astronauts at the Canadian Space Agency. She became the first Canadian to work aboard the International Space Station and was Chief Astronaut of Canada from 2000 to 2007. Payette has also sung with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal and is a Knight of the National Order of Quebec.

Fine Arts
R. Murray Schafer
Composer and Music Educator

Internationally acclaimed composer R. Murray Schafer has achieved recognition for his prolific work as an educator, researcher, writer, ecologist and visual artist. As one of Canada’s preeminent composers, he has produced works in every musical genre. His 10 string quartets serve as reference points for the evolution of music and musical thought in the last century. Schafer received the Canada Council Molson Prize for the Arts and the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award among others.

June 21
Arts and Science
10 a.m. Robert Charlebois
3 p.m. Eleanor Wachtel
7 p.m. Richard W. Pound

June 22
John Molson School of Business
10 a.m. Laurent Beaudoin
3 p.m. Jean Chrétien

June 23
Engineering and Computer Science
10 a.m. Julie Payette

June 23
Fine Arts
3 p.m. R. Murray Schafer

For more details about Convocation, see the website.