MONTREAL/October 2, 2003—
Each year, the Concordia University Alumni Association takes great joy in bequeathing a great distinction to an unfortunate soul. The Honorary Life Membership is awarded to someone who is not an alumnus or alumna of Concordia, Sir George Williams or Loyola and who has demonstrated a long-term commitment of outstanding service to the Association and university. This year's recipient is the Honourable Colonel Pierre SÈvigny, P.C., O.C., V.M.
Pierre SÈvigny's rÈsumÈ is truly striking: graduate of Laval and Columbia universities, war hero, cabinet minister, successful businessperson, award-winning writer, revered teacher, proud and honoured Canadian. But even without knowing his CV, anyone meeting Pierre for the first time would immediately be impressed by the power of his personality. He may not be a graduate of Concordia or its founding institutions, but it's been to our advantage that he lent that presence to our school for many, many years.
Pierre began teaching business administration at Concordia in 1967. Although he had no teaching background, he immediately took to it, and learnt it's first lesson: information is not sold; it's given. He is a natural teacher: enthusiastic, inspiring, engaging, and able to revel in his students' successes. He eventually was appointed to the position of Executive-in-Residence with full-time teaching duties in 1982. Though he retired from teaching in 1995, he couldn't stay away, and he returned to Concordia two years later as visiting assistant professor.
Pierre's academic career is just the tail end of a distinguished lifetime of service to his country. In 1945, toward the end of the war in Europe, he lost a leg in the battle of Hochwald Forest, and received many military decorations, including the Virturili Militari from Poland and the Croix de Guerre from France and Belgium. He wrote a book about his experiences, Face ‡ l'ennemi, which won the Prix FerriËres de l'Academie FranÁaise in 1948. He was named to the Order of Canada in 1995.
Pierre went on to a successful career in international trade and real estate. He also was elected a member of parliament from 1958 to 1963, and he served as Associate Minister of National Defence in the Diefenbaker government. He played an important role in the Canadian bid for the world's fair, what eventually became Expo 67. (I suppose Hazel and Chuck Mah, who met there, should thank Pierre SÈvigny tonight for helping bring Expo to Montreal!)
One of Pierre's lasting legacies at Concordia is the JMSB's Awards of Distinction, an idea he put forward in 1987 to publicly honour business excellence. It has evolved into an Annual Awards of Distinction Luncheon, regularly attended by more than 400 members of the business and university community. Pierre still chairs the awards committee, which considers candidates for their notable business accomplishment, affiliation or service to Concordia, community service and lifetime professional achievement. Past recipients have included such business luminaries as AndrÈ Desmarais, Serge Savard and Heather Reisman.
To recognize Pierre for his exceptional service, two years ago the JMSB named its international undergraduate scholarships in his honour.
Pierre has other legacies as well, including his daughter, Pierrette, Loyola BA 67, a Quebec superior court justice, sons Albert, BA 75, BA 02, and Robert, and four grandchildren, who have all continued the path into higher education. And if you ever have a question about Victor Hugo, Pierre SÈvigny is the man to ask.
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