Concordia University to grant eight honourary doctorates at Spring Convocation Ceremonies

Montreal, May 21, 2014 - Eight distinguished individuals will be awarded honourary degrees during Concordia University’s spring convocation ceremonies (June 9, 10, 11) at Place des Arts’ Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier (175 Ste-Catherine Street W.). The recipients will join more than 4500 students from Concordia’s four Faculties and the School of Graduate Studies graduating this spring.

The honorees are:

Stuart McLean, O.C.,for his distinctive contribution to Canadian cultural life and his devotion to the education of young journalists.

McLean is an author, award-winning journalist and humourist, host of CBC Radio’s The Vinyl Café, professor emeritus and former director of the broadcast division of the School of Journalism at Ryerson University.

Monday, June 9 at 10 a.m. – Faculty of Arts and Science

Chantal Hébert, O.C., for her reasoned and insightful analysis of the Canadian political landscape in both official languages.

Hébert is the national affairs writer with the Toronto Star and guest columnist for L’Actualité, a member of CBC The National’s political panel “At Issue” and Radio-Canada’s Les Coulisses du pouvoir, and former parliamentary bureau chief for Le Devoir and La Presse.

Monday, June 9 at 3 p.m. – Faculty of Arts and Science

Bryan Kolb, for his pioneering work in neuroscience. His work analyzes how brain neurons respond to developmental factors such as hormones, stress, drugs and injury, and how these responses relate to behaviour.

Kolb is a professor in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Lethbridge, the inaugural director of the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, Killiam Fellow of the Canada Council and member of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research progam in the Child Brain Development program.

Monday, June 9 at 7:30 p.m. – Faculty of Arts and Science

Louis R. Chênevert, for his leadership in the field of aeronautics and his philanthropic engagement.

Chênevert is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of United Technologies Corporation, Chairman, École des hautes études commerciales (HEC) Montreal, former President, Pratt & Whitney, member of The Business Council and the Executive Committees of the Business Roundtable, Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautic and Astronautics (AIAA), Chairman of the Yale Cancer Center’s Advisory Board and member of the Board of Directors of the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation.

Tuesday, June 10 at 10 a.m. – Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science

Gregg Saretsky, for his dynamic and innovative leadership in the airline industry, most recently with WestJet.

Saretsky is President and Chief Executive Officer of WestJet, formerly Senior Vice-President, Marketing & Planning and Executive Vice-President, Flight Operation and Marketing, Alaska Airlines, also Vice-President, Airports and Vice-President, Marketing, Canadian Airlines.

Wednesday, June 11 at 10 a.m. – John Molson School of Business

Michal Hornstein, O.C., G.O.Q, and Renata Hornstein, for their cultural and philanthropic activity spanning several decades.

Renata and Michal Hornstein have brought their dynamic talents and generosity to  a range of organizations in the cultural, health services and education fields. In 2012, they were the first couple named Great Montrealers by the Board of Trade for Metropolitain Montreal for their contributions to culture in the city.

Wednesday, June 11 at 3 p.m. – John Molson School of Business

Chantal Pontbriand, for helping advance the exploration and understanding of issues surrounding globalization, artistic heterogeneity and contemporaneity in the art world.

Pontbriand is a contemporary art critic and curator, a founding editor of PARACHUTE, co-founder, Festival International de Nouvelle Danse (FIND), founder, PONTBRIAND W.O.R.K.S. (We_Others and Myself_Research_Knowledge_Systems), Associate Professor of curatorial studies at the Sorbonne-Paris IV, and was formerly Head of Exhibition Research and Development at Tate Modern.

Wednesday, June 11 at 7:30 – Faculty of Fine Arts