Concordia awards 6 new honorary doctorates

Christiana Figueres, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, has devoted her career to public service.

A native of Costa Rica, Figueres first participated in United Nations climate change negotiations in 1995. She has since directed four consecutive Conferences of the Parties, the convention’s supreme body, and now oversees the intergovernmental negotiations to deliver the 2015 Paris agreement on climate change.

Figueres founded the non-profit Center for Sustainable Development of the Americas in 1995; she has designed and helped establish national climate change programs throughout Latin America. She works extensively with governments and non-governmental organizations, as well as frequently acting as an advisor in the private sector.

Christiana Figueres addresses Concordia’s Faculty of Arts and Science via taped message at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, June 8.

Violinist Angèle Dubeau is being honoured for her success in making classical music accessible to a wider audience, as well as for her virtuosity as a player.

In the course of her long and distinguished career, Dubeau has won a wide range of competitions, played with international orchestras and performed in more than 40 countries. She also recorded 42 albums and sold more than half a million records, including three certified gold discs.

In 1997, Dubeau founded La Pietà, an all-female string ensemble that quickly gained a reputation for lively, highly skilled performances.

Dubeau’s career has been driven by the desire to reach wider audiences with her music. She hosts concerts and music television programs for CBC/Radio-Canada, as well as the popular Fête de la Musique de Tremblant.

Angèle Dubeau addresses Concordia’s Faculty of Fine Arts at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10. Photo by Luc Robitaille.

Journalist, educator and political activist Kenneth Deer is being celebrated for his many outstanding accomplishments in service to his community.

A member of the Bear Clan, Deer is secretary of the Mohawk Nation at Kahnawake. In his 16 years as an educator, Deer co-founded the First Nations Education Council and helped establish the Kahnawake Survival School, which focuses on Indigenous culture and heritage.

Deer founded the Kahnawake-based daily newspaper The Eastern Door in 1992, and served as its editor until 2008.

He began working with the United Nations in 1987; among other projects, he participated in the Working Group on Indigenous Populations and the Working Group on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Kenneth Deer addresses Concordia’s Faculty of Arts and Science at 3 p.m. on Monday, June 8. Photo by Martin A. Loft.

Emanuele (Lino) Saputo, founder and chair of the Montreal-based dairy company Saputo Incorporated, started out by producing only a few pounds of cheese a day.

Since then, he has built his company into a giant multinational corporation with 55 plants and thousands of employees all over the world.

One of the most successful businessmen in Canadian history, Saputo is also a visionary benefactor for many causes.

In 1979, he and his wife launched the philanthropic Fondation Mirella & Lino Saputo, which assists sick and handicapped children, disadvantaged women and the elderly. It also finances many hospital research projects.

Lino Saputo addresses Concordia’s John Molson School of Business at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 9.

K. G. Terry Hollands, a distinguished professor emeritus in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Waterloo, made outstanding contributions to the field of solar energy.

His successes supported many commercial projects, as well as the computer code used to design solar products.

An outstanding scholar, Hollands has authored or co-authored 120 journal articles, 100 articles in conference proceedings, three books and seven book chapters; his numerous awards and recognitions include the International Solar Energy Society’s Special Service Award. Currently, Hollands chairs the board of NSERC’s Smart Net-zero Energy Buildings Strategic Research Network.

In more than a quarter-century at the University of Waterloo, Hollands excelled in his training of graduate students, many of whom went on to make a mark in the field of solar energy.

K. G. Terry Hollands addresses Concordia’s Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10. 

Anne-Marie Hubert, managing partner of Advisory Services for Ernst and Young Canada (EY), has had a considerable impact on the national governance landscape.

Hubert is a world leader in promoting the diversity and advancement of women, minorities and diversified profiles: her efforts have convinced governments and organizations across Canada and abroad to change their governance models.

A member of EY’s Executive Committee since 2009, Hubert empowers organizations to rethink their business models to create more solid foundations for growth and long-term competitive advantage.

She also provides board members and senior management teams with strategic advice on governance, performance and risk management, while leveraging internal and external knowledge, experience and talent to drive change.

Anne-Marie Hubert addresses the John Molson School of Business at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9. 
 

Do you know a new graduate? Find out the details of Concordia’s 2015 spring convocation ceremonies.