Honorary degree citation - Robert A. Boyd*

By: Andreas Antoniou, June 1978

Mr. Chancellor, I have the honour to present to you Robert A. Boyd.

Born in Sherbrooke, Mr. Boyd received his Bachelor of Applied Sciences degree in mechanical and electrical engineering from Ecole Polytechnique de Montréal in 1943.

Very early in his career, Mr. Boyd recognized the importance of energy and decided to make his career in this field. He joined Hydro-Quebec as Junior Engineer in l944 he became Supervisor of Operators in 1947, Superintending Engineer in 1954: Assistant Chief Engineer in 1958, and Chief Engineer in 1962.

In 1963, Mr. Boyd became General Manager of the Distribution and Sales Department and, subsequently, in 1965 he was named General Manager of Hydro-Québec. In the latter capacity, he had considerable influence on the creation and development of the Hydro-Québec Institute of Research.

In 1969, he was appointed a commissioner of Hydro-Québec and later in 1972, he became the commissioner responsible for the vast hydroelectric project at James Bay. In August of 1972, he was appointed Director and soon after he was elected President of the James Bay Corporation. In this capacity, he was concerned not only with the organization and efficient running of the world's largest construction site but also with the ecological impact of this project.

Mr. Boyd was appointed Vice President in May 1976 and soon after, in August of 1977, he was appointed President of Hydro-Québec. To this position he has brought his well known concern for the total energy resources of the Province of Québec.

Mr. Boyd has been active in numerous other organizations. For example, he played a major role in the area of standardization of electrical equipment through the Canadian Electrical Association. He has also contributed to the community in many other ways. For example, he was chairman of the organizing committee for the International Athletic Competitions held in Montreal in 1975.

He is a member of the Conference Board of New York, a member of the Order of Engineers of Quebec, and an honorary member of the Engineering Institute of Canada.

In honouring Mr. Boyd, Concordia University pays tribute to an engineer whose endeavours have had considerable and beneficial impact on Canada in general, and on Quebec in particular.

Mr. Chancellor, I am honoured to present to you, on behalf of the Senate and by the authority of the Board of Governors, Robert A. Boyd, that you may confer On him the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.

* deceased