Honorary degree citation - Frederick G. Hubbard*
By: J.W. O’Brien, June 1973
Mr. Chancellor:
I have the honour to present to you Frederick Hubbard, former General Secretary of the Metropolitan YMCA and a member of the Board of Governors of Sir George Williams for sixteen years.
This University traces its origins back to the education courses established by the Montreal YMCA one hundred years ago; our concept of educational service to the community has been fashioned out of the original principles of the YMCA. Indeed, until quite recently Sir George Williams was an integral part of the YMCA operation. We became a university through the policy and support of that great organization. In our critical formative years this support was personified by Frederick Hubbard, in whom, as General Secretary of the Metropolitan YMCA, resided much of the creative and administrative authority.
Frederick Hubbard gave leadership to the fledgling university as it prepared to fly on its own wings, and interpreted the role of leader with much appreciated understanding and discretion. Indeed, as a member of the Board from 1952 to 1968, and as a member of the Advisory Board since, Frederick Hubbard has advised and assisted this University with notable wisdom and dedication.
His own career with the YMCA has been most distinguished. From 1920 to 1935 he was Acting General Secretary in Winnipeg. From 1935 to 1943 he was Executive Secretary of the Broadview Branch in Toronto. He then became Personnel Secretary of the National Council of YMCAs of Canada, and two years later was appointed General Secretary of the Vancouver YMCA. In 1952 Frederick Hubbard came to Montreal as General Secretary of the Metropolitan YMCA, a post he held until his retirement in 1968.
Mr. Chancellor, I am honoured to present to you, on behalf of University Council, and by the authority of the Board of Governors, Frederick Hubbard, long time .member of our Board of Governors and a distinguished YMCA executive, that you may confer on him the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.
* deceased
