Honorary degree citation - Myer Horowitz

By: J.W. O’Brien, June 1982

Mr. Chancellor, I have the honour to present to you Dr. Myer Horowitz, President of the University of Alberta, and distinguished teacher and educator.

Although Dr. Horowitz comes to us today from Alberta, where he went in 1969, his early. life and career were centred on Montreal. Like many hundreds of teachers at the time, he started out with an Elementary Teaching Certificate from Macdonald College, and his first appointment was at Victoria School on de Maisonneuve Blvd. which, as it happens, is today occupied by Concordia's Centre for Continuing Education. As a part-time student he then studied in the evening at Sir George Williams, and received the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1956. Thus, Mr. Chancellor, Dr. Horowitz earned his first degree as one of our part-time students, and so is representative of many of those graduating here today.

After eight years experience teaching in elementary and secondary schools, he joined the Faculty of Education at McGill University, where he rose to the rank of Professor and also served as Assistant Dean. In 1969 he moved to the University of Alberta as Chairman of the Department of Elementary Education. He became successively Dean of the Faculty of Education, Vice-President (Academic) and in 1979, President of the University of Alberta.

Mr. Chancellor, I could set out before you the expected list of honours, publications, research interests and offices that accompany an academic and administrative career of distinction and accomplishment, but I would rather say something of the kind of man we are honouring. I am told by those who knew him as a teacher, which I did not, that he was greatly liked by his students and highly respected by his colleagues. I can say of my own knowledge that he has a keen mind that quickly grasps the point at issue, and an excellent ability to speak his mind in ways that illuminate the issue. His listeners risk having their views reorganized when he rises to speak. And, lest you should miss another side of his character, may I also describe him as sincere, kind and helpful in his relationships with those who pass his way.

Mr. Chancellor, on behalf of the Senate and by the authority of the Board of Governors, I present to you Myer Horowitz, that you may confer on him the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.