4 Concordians are appointed to the Order of Canada

Long-serving Concordia faculty member Marguerite Mendell (BA 72) has been appointed a member of the Order of Canada, along with three Concordia alumni: Peter McAuslan (BA 72), Mary Anne Eberts (LLD 93) and Michèle Stanton-Jean (LLD 95).

In an announcement on June 30, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston named 99 new appointments to the order, which represents one of the highest civilian honours in the country.

“I am delighted to recognize these new recipients of the Order of Canada on the eve of the 150th anniversary of Confederation,” said the Governor General.

“The individuals on this list, just like those appointed half a century ago, are truly inspiring. They have helped to build the smarter, more caring nation that we, as Canadians, are all so proud to call ‘home!’”
 

A dedicated social economist

For Mendell, a successful economist and professor, as well as co-founder and director of the Karl Polanyi Institute of Political Economy, the timing couldn’t be more meaningful.

“Not only does this announcement coincide with Canada Day, but also my 60th anniversary as a citizen of this country,” says the Paris-born academic who came to Canada in 1950 and became a citizen in 1957.

Since joining the university in 1984 as a postdoctoral fellow, Mendell has been a significant contributor to Concordia’s School of Community and Public Affairs.

Her collaborations with practitioners in community economic development, social economy and the social finance sector have resulted in innovations in public policy at the municipal, provincial and federal levels.

“I’m delighted, overwhelmed and filled with gratitude. It’s a joy to receive such wonderful recognition for a lifetime of work, research, engagement and teaching,” says Mendell, who was also awarded the Prix du Québec in 2013 — the highest accolade offered by the Government of Quebec.

“It’s important to see the work we do collectively as researchers, academics and scholars valued in our society.”

This coming year will be a busy one for Mendell, who currently teaches and is part of numerous international research partnerships. Right now, she’s looking forward to the 14th International Karl Polanyi Conference in Seoul, South Korea, as well as the upcoming fall release of a major study on socially responsible finance in Quebec.

A human rights advocate, a philanthropist and a public servant

Peter McAuslan was named a member of the Order of Canada for “his pioneering contributions to the development of Canada’s craft brewing industry and for his support of arts, heritage and culture initiatives in Montreal.”