Five Honorary Degree Recipients Announced for 2006 Convocations
The University of Prince Edward Island is pleased to announce that it will confer five honorary degrees at two 2006 Convocations to take place on Saturday, May 13. The honorary graduates will be Elaine Campbell, Suzanne Land#233;vesque, David W. Rodd, Joseph Fenwick (Fen) Watkin, and Patterson (Pat) Webster. Pat Webster will deliver Convocation address in the morning and Elaine Campbell will deliver the afternoon address.
"Our 2006 recipients are excellent role models for our graduates. By honouring the outstanding achievements of these five individuals, and their connections to Prince Edward Island and UPEI, we honour our entire community," says UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan.
Elaine Campbell, lyricist and mother of five, is an exemplary artist and arts patron. Her first glimpse of PEI was from the air while serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War Two. In 1965, she returned as one of the lyricists to attend the world premiere of "Anne of Green Gables, the Musical" written by Donald Harron, with music composed by Norman Campbell. This production has played every summer for forty years on the Confederation Centre stage, has toured across Canada many times, and played in London, New York, and Tokyo. Elaine Campbell has written lyrics for three other musicals as well, which represents one of the highest accomplishments among musical theatre writers in Canada. She was also a writer and lyricist for The Karen Kane Superspecial, Christmas at Rideau Hall, and two royal galas. As Chair of the Coordinated Arts Services in Toronto, she founded an archive program for the five major performing arts groups in Ontario and she served for many years on the board of the National Ballet of Canada. She is a graduate of the University of British Columbia.
Suzanne Land#233;vesque has been President of the Fondation J.-Louis Land#233;vesque since 1982. In honour of her parents, the Foundation has established ten Jeanne and J.-Louis Land#233;vesque research chairs in medicine and bursary funds at universities in Quand#233;bec, and a chair in business management at Universitand#233; de Moncton. At UPEI, a $1.5 million gift from the Foundation has supported two research professorships in Nutrisciences and Health. This combines with earlier gifts providing matching funds for CFI grants, and with support from the Land#233;vesque family going back to the construction of the Alumni Gym in 1950. Suzanne Land#233;vesque has served on the boards of governors at Lakefield College School in Ontario and at Universitand#233; de Moncton, among others. She is governor emeritus at Universitand#233; de Montrand#233;al. In 1998, she was granted an Honorary Doctorate in Humanities from Universitand#233; de Moncton. She was awarded the Order of Canada in 2004. Her father, the late J.-Louis Land#233;vesque, was a graduate of St. Dunstan's University. He completed his BA studies in 1934, and was granted an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree by SDU in 1964.
David W. Rodd was born in 1940. From his early days, he assisted his parents in the operation of the family tourist business that they started from two cabins in Winsloe, PEI in 1935. He graduated from Mount Allison University in 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and returned to the family business in 1966. Under his leadership, it has grown into the largest privately-owned hotel chain in Atlantic Canada. David Rodd has dedicated much of his life to being a leader in the development of the hospitality industry in PEI and throughout Atlantic Canada. At peak season, Rodd Hotels and Resorts employ 1000 people at 11 properties. He has been active in community organizations, including serving as Chair of the Heart Fund Campaign for the PEI Division of the Canadian Heart Foundation, as a board member of the PEI Division of the Canadian Cancer Society, and Honorary Chair of Big Brothers/Big Sisters. He has been President of the PEI Tourist Association and a director of the Tourist Industry Association of Canada.
Joseph Fenwick (Fen) Watkin was born in Toronto; his grandfather, Frederick Henry Knight was born in Charlottetown. Watkin is a virtuoso pianist and a highly accomplished arranger, conductor and musical director who has been involved in more than 200 original Canadian productions. The Toronto Symphony, CBC variety shows and community theatre projects have all benefited from his talents. He served the Charlottetown Festival for 40 years; 12 years as Associate Music Director and 28 years as Music Director. He worked for 26 years as Music Director for Kitchener-Waterloo Musical Productions. He has been strongly supportive of musical, artistic, and theatrical initiatives in PEI, including recitals at St. Peter's Cathedral, UPEI, and Indian River Church. Recognizing the wealth of musical talent present in PEI, Fen Watkin worked to ensure that Islanders would have equal opportunity in employment with the Charlottetown Festival orchestra and cast. As a mentor and coach, he has inspired generations of amateur and professional performers. He was awarded the Order of Canada in 2005.
Patterson (Pat) Webster is a gifted advocate, organizer and enabler. She is an exemplary supporter of education and culture and has been entrusted with large fund-raising projects for educational institutions and ventures because she is persuasively passionate about learning. Pat Webster is the wife of Norman Webster, former Chancellor of UPEI. She was a gracious and powerful part of his highly successful chancellorship of the University and she has proved herself a shining advocate for Canadian university culture and work, literacy and language. She was founding President of Canadian Parents for French, for which she received France's Ordre National du Mand#233;rite, Chair of the Society for Educational Visits and Exchanges in Canada, a leading spirit of Montreal Blue Metropolis Literary Festival, a board member of the Stratford Festival, and has been active in many other community and philanthropic endeavours.
Honorary Degrees to be awarded to Suzanne Land#233;vesque and Patterson (Pat) Webster during the morning Convocation, and will be awarded to Elaine Campbell, David Rodd, and Joseph Fenwick Watkin at the afternoon Convocation.
