During Convocation May 10 and 11, Acadia University will grant honorary degrees to four outstanding Canadians who have made significant contributions to our country through their work on stage, in courtrooms, and commitment to building stronger communities:  

• “Canada’s funnyman,” comedian, writer, and actor, Ron James (’79);
  
  

• Aboriginal faith leader and Christian scholar, Rev. Terry LeBlanc, PhD;
  
  

• Respected Mi’kmaw Elder and  addictions counsellor, Freeman Douglas Knockwood; and
  
  

• Esteemed jurist and community leader, New Brunswick Chief Justice David D. Smith (’66).
  
  

"It has long been a tradition at Acadia to ask our graduating class to reflect on how they can make a positive impact on the world,” says Ray Ivany, President and Vice-Chancellor of Acadia. “Our 2015 honorary degree recipients and this year’s Professor Emeritus, Dr. Tom Herman, stand as outstanding examples of how important it is that we instill an obligation in our graduates to build communities. Through creativity, resilience and empathy, our honorees have found ways to improve the lives of those around them. Their direct connection to Acadia makes it exceptionally satisfying for us to honour them and serves as a reminder to our graduates of the journey on which they are about to embark.”

Acadia’s Baccalaureate Service is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, May 10 in Convocation Hall. The cap and gown speaker, elected by his graduating class of 2015, will be Cameron Ashe. Cameron lives in Riverview, New Brunswick and will graduate with his BScH in Psychology with Neuroscience. The guest preacher at the service will be the Rev. John E. Boyd (’71). Reverend Boyd has recently completed 27 years in service to First Baptist Church Halifax, one of the founding churches of Acadia University. He possesses two degrees from Acadia and served for 15 years on the University’s Board of Governors. All are invited to attend this ecumenical service.

Acadia Chancellor Dr. Libby Burnham (’60) will preside over her fifth Convocation during the three ceremonies and each will be live-streamed on Acadia’s Alumni Affairs website.

Following each ceremony, participants and their guests are invited to join the Acadia community in the Sheldon L. Fountain Learning Commons for a reception.

Conferring of Honorary Degrees

Faculty of Theology and Faculty of Arts

Sunday, May 10, 2015 - 3 p.m.

Faculty of Pure and Applied Science

Monday, May 11, 2015 - 10 a.m.

Faculty of Professional Studies

Monday, May 11, 2015 - 2:30 p.m.

Ron James

A member of Acadia’s Class of 1979, Ron James has been called “a man of a million words and a million laughs” by the Globe and Mail. Ron’s political and social commentary combined with his energetic on-stage personality ensure his audiences leave his two-hour, non-stop performances exhausted from laughter. Ron has received a number of honours for his work, including a Gemini Award for comedy writing and the 2014 Dave Broadfoot Comedic Genius Award from the Canadian Comedy Awards for his impressive and inspiring body of work.

Rev. Terry LeBlanc, PhD

Full time in native ministry since 1979, Rev. Terry LeBlanc is Mi’kmaq/Acadian with family roots in Listuguj First Nation and Campbellton, New Brunswick. Founding Director of My People International and one of the founders of the North American Institute for Indigenous Theological Studies, Rev. LeBlanc seeks to build partnerships between traditional Christian and Aboriginal faith leaders to deepen the theological capacity within Aboriginal communities. Rev. LeBlanc has received numerous awards for his work, including the Dr. E.H. Johnson Memorial Award for Innovation in Mission from the Presbyterian Church of Canada. 

Freeman Douglas “Elder Doug” Knockwood

Elder Doug, as he’s known in his community, symbolizes triumph over adversity. A residential school survivor who reclaimed his Mi’kmaw language, Elder Doug has been an addictions counsellor for more than four decades after overcoming his own struggles with alcohol. Immersed in Mi’kmaw culture and traditions, Elder Doug received the Grand Chief Donald Marshall Senior Elder Leadership Award in 2003 and delivered the Aboriginal prayer during the 2014 visit to Nova Scotia by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.

The Honourable David D. Smith, QC

A 1966 graduate of Acadia, David D. Smith, Chief Justice of Court of Queen’s Bench for the Province of New Brunswick, set his sights early on a career in law. A judge since 1993 and Chief Justice since 1998, David has been a vocal and public advocate for preserving access to the court system.  He was also the presiding judge in the 2014 case of Justin Bourque, sentencing him to the longest prison term in Canada since 1967. Prior to his appointment to the Bench, David was a community leader in Moncton, playing  a key role in many organizations that have contributed to the city’s revitalization over the past 30 years.

For details about Convocation Weekend, visit our Convocation website.

For more, please see our photo gallery.

 

About Acadia University

Acadia University, in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, has long been recognized as one of Canada's premier post-secondary institutions. With its nationally and internationally recognized undergraduate and graduate research initiatives, small classes, and technology-rich teaching and learning environment, Acadia offers students an experience that includes academic achievement combined with personal growth and development. Acadia also offers distance learning, certificate programs, language training and other university extension programs through Open Acadia. For more information about Acadia University, visit our website at http://www2.acadiau.ca/.