It has been a busy fall for York University President Emeritus H. Ian Macdonald.
H. Ian Macdonald
The Quarter Century Club of the Ontario Public Service ( OPS) has created a celebratory quilt, know as the Legends of the OPS Quilt. Eight “legendary figures” of the Ontario Public Service have been honoured with blocks on the quilt, including Macdonald, in recognition of his years as Deputy Treasurer of Ontario. His award was presented at a ceremony on Oct. 22, and the quilt is now on display in the Macdonald Block at Queen’s Park.
Always known for his interest and participation in sports, Macdonald was at the Hockey Hall of Fame on Nov. 6 for a ceremony recognizing his contribution to York hockey and Hockey Canada.
On Nov. 14, Macdonald was honoured by the University of Toronto, as one of 10 Alumni of Influence at a gala event and dinner in the Fermenting Cellar in the Distillery District in Toronto.
The Legends of OPS Quilt
An economist and academic who has held senior posts in the Ontario government, Macdonald was York University’s third president & vice-chancellor, serving from 1974 to 1984. Currently, he is the program director of the Master of Public Administration Program at York’s Schulich School of Business.
Among his many honours and awards, Macdonald has received a Rhodes Scholarship, Vanier Medal for Public Service, Citation of Merit from the Court of Canadian Citizenship, Award of Merit from the Canadian Bureau for International Education, Governor General’s Medal, the President’s Award of Recognition from the Simcoe Chapter of Lambda Alpha International: The Honorary Society for the Advancement of Land Economics, the Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of Canadian Confederation and Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal. In addition, Macdonald is an officer of the Order of Canada and a Knight of Grace of the Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem.