October 20, 2005 Source: St. Mary's University:
http://www.smu.ca/newsreleases/2005/20-10-2005.html Fall 2005 Honorary Degree Recipients Announced Three outstanding individuals representing a wide field of unique endeavors will be granted Honorary Degrees by Saint Mary’s University at its Fall 2005 Convocation. They are Hetty van Gurp, Michael (Mickey) MacDonald, and Sid Pobihushchy. These notable professional achievers, each in their own respect, will join students in the Faculties of Arts, Commerce, Science and Graduate Studies and Research – many of whom will cross the stage on Sunday, October 30 at the Halifax World Trade and Convention Centre (Port Royal Room) to receive their parchments from one of Canada’s oldest and leading institutions of higher learning, founded in 1802. The ceremony begins at 2:00 PM. Pobihushchy and van Gurp will both receive Honorary Doctor of Civil Law degrees, while MacDonald will be presented with an Honorary Doctor of Commerce. A person full of courage and determination is how most describe van Gurp. When her son died after an incident with a bully, the Halifax elementary teacher resolved to take action. She decided that she would try to get rid of school violence by teaching peace. Starting with her own students, she worked to foster a class atmosphere that discouraged all forms of aggression. At the time, she never imagined that her ideas would spread to schools in places like Northern Ireland and Russia. Today, she heads Peaceful Schools International, an organization that aims to end conflict among youth in schools. Incidents like the Colombine school shooting and the Reena Virk murder have brought youth violence to the forefront of the media in recent years. She started Peaceful Schools International in May, 2001 after a four-month tour in Asia where she led workshops for students and teachers. After giving workshops on peer mediation to nearly three hundred students and teachers in Macedonia, she had the idea to start a global network. MacDonald, who is nicknamed by many as "Mickey," is a person full of endurance, and always strives for success. He grew up in Halifax’s Fairview area, and was one of seven children whose father died when he was young. He left high school without completing Grade 9, and from there he ventured across Canada to work in various jobs, such as in Toronto and Vancouver. He has spent a number of years as a professional boxer, and when he came back to Halifax he worked as a Halifax city firefighter and ran three businesses in his spare time: a body shop, a used car lot and a snow clearing business. With a knack for business, he bought DownEast Cellular (now called DownEast Communications) in 1991. Under his leadership, the company expanded to over $100 million in sales by 2004, with 51 outlets across Atlantic Canada. In the Fall of 2004, he decided to sell his popular telecommunications business to Aliant. He has earned his General Education Degree (GED – which is high school equivalency), and has studied at Saint Mary’s University. He is a widely known advocate for literacy education and initiatives that provide direction and support for homeless people. Recently, he made a $1 million donation to the IWK Health Centre in Halifax. The gift he provided was made in memory of his mother and father, Belle and Colin MacDonald Sr. His support will allow the IWK Health Centre to make upgrades to its Neurosciences Unit as part of the redevelopment of the IWK children’s site. He has received a number of awards for his tireless work in business and community outreach efforts, and this is why he has been recognized by a number of prominent organizations like Atlantic Business Magazine who recently named him one of the region’s TOP 50 CEOs, and The Halifax Daily News who also recently recognized him as one of the top 25 Nova Scotians. Pobihushchy was born in Saskatchewan of farming parents for whom co-operation was a way of life. He has studied engineering at the University of Manitoba and subsequently worked for the British Columbia Forest Service, Stora Forest Products and Texaco Canada. He studied Political Economy at Saint Mary's University, University of Alberta and the University of Michigan. He joined the faculty of the University of New Brunswick in 1968 achieving the rank of Full Professor in 1982. He served as the chairperson of the Political Science Department for eight years and earned the Dr. Allan P. Stuart Memorial Award for Excellence in Teaching. During his teaching career, he researched and wrote on many topics with a particular interest in aboriginal peoples and co-operatives. He has been an active member of the Canadian Association for the Study of Co-operatives. He has sat on the Boards of Directors of the York Credit Union, Fredericton Direct Charge Co-operative and Co-op Atlantic. He has served as the President of Fredericton Co-op (the largest consumer co-operative in Atlantic Canada). He has served on the Co-op Atlantic Board for 14 years, two of them as President. Co-op Atlantic is the central wholesale co-operative for more than 150 consumer and agricultural co-operatives. He has also served on the Co-operators Atlantic Region Committee. He currently serves on the board of the Tucson Co-operative Warehouse. Saint Mary's University is known for its community outreach projects, both in Canada and around the world. Saint Mary's, founded in 1802, is home to one of Canada's leading business schools, a Science Faculty widely known for its cutting-edge research, a comprehensive and innovative Arts Faculty and a vibrant Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. -30- For More Information: Paul Fitzgerald
Public Affairs Officer
Saint Mary's University, Public Affairs
(902) 420.5514
E-mail: paul.fitzgerald@smu.ca
www.smu.ca
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