Honorary degree citation - Neil Barron Hutcheon*
By: P. Fazio, June 1975
Mr. Chancellor, I have the honour to present to you Neil Barron Hutcheon, Professional Engineer, Fellow of the Engineering Institute of Canada, Fellow of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineering, recipient of ASHRAE's Distinguished Service Award, recently director of the National Research Council of Canada's Division of Building Research.
Neil Hutcheon graduated in engineering from the University of Saskatchewan and with a Doctorate of Philosophy from the University of London. Returning to Saskatchewan as a Professor of Mechanical Engineering he remained there until 1953, when he moved to the National Research Council as Assistant Director of the Division of Building Research. He became Director in 1969.
Dr. Hutcheon's farsightedness and his significance in the development of building studies in this country, have been described by his colleagues: "Twenty five years ago building research was virtually non existent in Canada and Dr. Hutcheon was one of very few doing research in the subject. (His) contribution to the Division's effectiveness was perhaps most notable in his recognition of the need for a broad approach ... to solve complex building problems. His multi disciplinary view of building has spilled over to his interest in the education of those who will be concerned with future building in Canada".
There can be no doubt that in Canada the substantial, significant contribution to building research and thus to engineering and building studies - has been made by the internationally respected organization in whose development Dr. Hutcheori played such a crucial role.
In his recent report on Research for Construction, Dr. Hutcheon calls for greater involvement of universities in building studies and recommends that consideration be given to the establishment of a new applied science called building engineering. This discipline would embrace the application of the sciences of building and materials to building design together with knowledge of structures, fire, codes, the construction process, economics of building and management techniques.
Over the last 7 years, the building research group at Concordia has been working towards the implementation of major programmes in building engineering and building research. The scope and rate of development of these programmes would not have been achieved had it not been for the continued interest, encouragement, support and valued advice of Dr. Hutcheon and his colleagues at the Division of Building Research.
For his contribution to international building research, to building in Canada, and to the development of building science in engineering education, I am honoured to present to you, Mr. Chancellor, on behalf of the University Senate, and by the authority of the Board of Governors, Dr. Neil Barron Hutcheon, that you may confer on him the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.
* deceased
