Honorary degree citation - J. Clair Callaghan*
By: M.N.S. Swamy, June 1984
Mr. Chancellor, I have the honour to present to you J. Clair Callaghan, a very articulate and effective leader in the advanced technologies that are increasingly part of our lives. Here at Concordia, Clair Callaghan taught and was Dean of Engineering before becoming President of the Technical University of Nova Scotia. He took to Nova Scotia from Concordia traits of tireless worker and immense energy. These attributes have enabled him to build TUNS into a centre of excellence in advanced technologies which is recognized not only in Canada but in other countries.
Clair Callaghan's links with Concordia have remained very close over the years. We have welcomed his continuing interest in the University, just as we have taken pride in his adaptation at TUNS of the methodologies proved here.
Clair is a native of Prince Edward Island. He is a graduate of St. Dunstan's, of St. Francis Xavier and an honours graduate of the Technical University of Nova Scotia. He received his Master's degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is a Fellow of the Engineering Institute of Canada.
His experience has not been confined to the university world. He has a broad background as a consultant to both the private sector and to government, including a period as a consultant to CIDA in French Equatorial Africa in Dahomey, the Ivory Coast, Zaire and Niger.
Under his leadership since 1977, TUNS has more than doubled its enrolment at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and has also achieved status as a major centre of research in Atlantic Canada. The role and the reach of the University continue to grow swiftly.
His leadership and administrative skills have been drawn upon at both the regional and the national levels for projects within the academic community and for new government related programmes. He has, for example, been one of the driving forces behind the establishment of a functional tidal power project in Canada.
Clair Callaghan has been concerned not only with the specialities of engineering and technology. He has, in addition, a longstanding interest in literature and the fine arts. He has encouraged programmes relating the arts to technology at TUNS and, on the pattern of Concordia, has established and maintained a close and continuing relationship with the concerns of the community.
Mr. Chancellor, for his scholarship, leadership, and for promoting the pursuit of excellence in teaching and research, thus enhancing the stature of the university community in Canada, it is my honour and privilege to present to you, on behalf of the Senate and by the authority of the Board of Governors, J. Clair Callaghan, that you may confer on him the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.
* deceased
