Mr. Chancellor, I have the honour to present to you Pierre Laurin, distinguished academic, noted author, successful university administrator, and now senior business executive.
In 1972, after his return from Harvard University where he earned a doctoral degree in administration, Dr. Laurin joined the faculty of l'Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales, and the following year he was named head of the department of Business Policy and Organizational Behaviour. Two years later, in 1975, he became Dean and Director of the school.
During his seven-year tenure as director of HEC, Dr. Laurin made it his ongoing objective to support and promote a close working relationship among the four universities in the Montreal area, and indeed, throughout the Quebec university system. He was instrumental, for example, in the development and implementation of the Joint Doctoral Programme in Administration which involves the participation of HEC, Concordia, McGill and l'Université du Québec à Montréal.
Tout en s'occupant de ses responsabilités administratives, M. Laurin a fondé en 1975 la Revue internationale de gestion qui porte à la connaissance de ses lecteurs, dont 5,000 au Québec, les développements les plus récents et les plus innovateurs dans le domaine de la gestion de l'entreprise.
He did all that before he turned 37 years old!
Dr. Laurin has justly earned a reputation as a champion of Canadian nationalism. He has spoken out publicly at every opportunity in favour of private enterprise in a unified Canada made up of 10 equal provinces.
In 1978 he was made a member of the Economic Council of Canada; he is a member of the board of directors of several Canadian corporations; and, last year, he was named a member of the Order of Canada.
Dr. Laurin is now vice-president and director of the Aluminum Company of Canada.
In honouring Dr. Laurin today, this university is recognizing the outstanding achievements of a man who has dedicated his professional life to developing a strong and vibrant Canadian identity. By accepting, Dr. Laurin has honoured Concordia University.
Mr. Chancellor, on behalf of the University Senate, and by the authority of the Board of Governors, I present to you Pierre Laurin that you may confer on him the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.
