Honorary degree citation - James Robbins Kidd*

By: Henry F. Hall, June 1968

Mr. Chancellor,

On behalf of the University Council and by authority of the Board of Governors I have the honour to present to you Dr. James Rabbins Kidd, Head, Division of Adult Education, Ontario Institute far Studies in Education.

In some circles Dr. Kidd is best known as the father of one of Canada's leading athletes, Bruce Kidd. While this is true, he has, however, many other claims to distinction. Dr. Kidd was born in Saskatchewan, educated in British Columbia and in Quebec and has worked in several provinces of Canada. In the field of adult education he is facile princeps not only in Canada but in many parts of the world. For many years he served as an officer of the Canadian Association for Adult Education and for a full decade as its Director. He has also served as expert consultant in the field of adult education at universities as far afield as the West Indies, Alaska and India. He has spoken and written widely in this area, having at least ten books to his credit, some of which have been published not only in English and in French but in at least six other languages. He is a graduate of Sir George Williams University and has higher degrees from McGill University, Columbia University and the University of British Columbia.

Mr. Chancellor, by a striking coincidence it was thirty years ago this day, on June 2, 1938, that I had the honour of presenting Roby Kidd for his first degree of Bachelor of Arts. Today, history is repeated and history is also made in that Dr. Kidd is the first graduate of our University to receive an honorary degree from his alma mater. If one may use the vernacular of the day: "It couldn't happen to a nicer guy."

Mr. Chancellor, it is with pride and pleasure that I present to you James Robbins Kidd, outstanding Georgian, dedicated educator, distinguished Canadian and citizen of the world, that you may admit him to the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.

* deceased