Honorary degree citation - William I.M. Turner, Jr.*
By: A. Rahman, June 1989
Mr. Chancellor, I have the honour to present to you, William I. Turner, Jr., an individual who has had an outstanding business career; has provided inspired leadership in the area of higher education, and continues to serve the wider community with unswerving dedication.
Mr. Turner was educated at the University of Toronto, where he graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and holds an M.B.A. degree from the Harvard Business School. He also holds an honorary LL.D. from Mount Allison University and the D.CL. from Bishop's University.
Mr. Turner has had quite a remarkable career in the corporate world. Beginning as Comptroller of Ingersoll Rand (Canada) in 1954, Mr. Turner rose to President of Power Corporation of Canada Limited in 1966, and then to President and C.E.O. of Consolidated Bathurst in 1970. In 1982, he became Chairman and C.E.O. of this particular corporation and then, in 1988, he assumed the position of Chairman of Power Industrial Corporation, a division of Power Corporation of Canada.
Mr. Turner holds several directorships, including: A. Johnson and Company Incorporated, Bombardier Incorporated, Canadian Marconi Company, Celanese Canada Incorporated, Power Corporation of Canada Incorporated, and Schroder's and Provigo Incorporated.
Mr. Turner is very active in the wider community as well. A recipient of the Order of Canada, he is currently Chancellor of Bishop's University. He also serves as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Royal Victoria Hospital, the British North American Committee and Wells Fargo International Advisory Council. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and a Governor of the Stratford Shakespearean Festival Foundation.
Mr. Turner has been an avid supporter of Concordia University. It was through his efforts that the Consolidated Bathurst Distinguished Visiting Lectureship was established at the University. In honouring Mr. Turner, we pay tribute to his exceptional career as a businessman and entrepreneur, in addition to his varied and important contributions in support of the cause of higher education in Québec.
William I. Turner is an outstanding role model for our graduates here today. Without a doubt, he is a distinguished Canadian.
Mr. Chancellor, it is a privilege to present to you, on behalf of the Senate and by the authority of the Board of Governors, William I. Turner, Jr., so that you may confer on him the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.
* deceased
