York University will confer honorary doctorates on three distinguished individuals during its Fall 2008 convocation ceremonies, which run from Oct. 17 to19.
The recipients are: Anthony Arrell, Canadian business leader and philanthropist; David Broadfoot, humourist, writer, performer, producer and director; and Justice Harry LaForme, Ontario Court of Appeal judge and Aboriginal rights expert.
“In bestowing honorary doctorates on these three individuals, we’re recognizing their contributions to their respective disciplines and to Canadian society,” said York University President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri. “We hope they will inspire our graduates to approach their own careers with the same determination and passion, and to put what they have learned into practice for the betterment of all.”
Tony Arrell, Honorary Doctor of Laws
Friday, Oct. 17, 10am
Schulich School of Business EMBA
Tony Arrell (right), chairman and CEO of Burgundy Asset Management Ltd., has had a distinguished career in Canadian business and has made important contributions to Canadian society. Arrell has stayed active in the education community by serving as chairman of the board of The Bishop Strachan School from 1997 to 2001; trustee of the board of governors of the University of Guelph; and as a member of the dean’s advisory council at York’s Schulich School of Business.
Arrell is a member of the board of St. Michael’s Hospital and is chair of the St. Michael’s Foundation Board and the St. Michael’s Hospital Pension Committee. He has been active for many years with the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Canadian Opera Company.
David Broadfoot, Honorary Doctor of Letters
Saturday, Oct. 18, 10:30am
Faculty of Graduate Studies; Faculty of Arts; Faculty of Education; Faculty of Fine Arts; Glendon College
Dave Broadfoot (left) is an internationally-known comedian, comedy writer, performer and political satirist. He has enriched the cultural life of Canada by reflecting us to ourselves with wit and intelligence. Broadfoot is a veteran of the legendary CBC comedy show Royal Canadian Air Farce, and holds the distinction of officer of the Order of Canada.
He won a Juno for comedy recording and has received 14 radio and TV comedy awards. His performances for Canada’s military forces have taken him to Korea, Japan, Gaza, Germany, Cyprus, Egypt, the Golan Heights, Bosnia, Croatia and Afghanistan.
Justice Harry LaForme, Honorary Doctor of Laws
Saturday, Oct. 18, 3pm
Faculty of Graduate Studies; Faculty of Environmental Studies; Faculty of Health; Osgoode Hall Law School; Schulich School of Business; Faculty of Science and Engineering
Justice Harry LaForme (right) was appointed to the Ontario Court of Appeal in 2004 – the first Aboriginal person to be appointed to sit on any appellate court in the history of Canada. LaForme graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1977 and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1979. He soon commenced his own practice, specializing in Aboriginal law and focusing on matters involving the constitution and the Charter of Rights & Freedoms.
He has appeared before each level of court, travelled extensively throughout Canada and represented Canadian Aboriginal interests in Switzerland, New Zealand and to the British Parliament. He was a member of the Osgoode Alumni Board of Directors for almost 20 years.
York’s convocation ceremonies will be streamed live over the Internet. The live stream of Friday and Saturday’s ceremonies will be available on the York University convocation Web site.
All convocation ceremonies will be held at York’s Keele campus.