Toronto, June 12, 2012 – Scholar Jean-Robert Pitte and politicians Barbara Jean McDougall Zimmerman will receive honorary degrees from York University on Wednesday, June 13. They will speak to graduates of the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies.
Jean-Robert Pitte, Scholar, Doctor of Laws, Wednesday, June 13, 10:30am
One of the world’s eminent historical geographers, Jean-Robert Pitte has written more than a dozen books and hundreds of articles on the history of the French countryside, the geography of wine and a historical geography of the chestnut tree, among others. He was the president of one of France’s most distinguished universities, Université Paris-Sorbonne, from 2003 to 2008.
He was an adviser to the former French prime minister on education and youth employment, responsible for creating a national plan to improve youth success in the education system.
Jean-Robert Pitte is the recipient of several honours, including Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur, Officier de l’Ordre National du Mérite, Officier de l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques and Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres.
Barbara Jean McDougall Zimmerman, Politician, PC, OC, Doctor of Laws, Wednesday, June 13, 3:30pm
Barbara Jean McDougall Zimmerman, PC, OC, was a Member of the Parliament of Canada for nearly 10 years. She held several cabinet posts, including minister of state for finance and the status of women, minister of employment and immigration, and secretary of state for external affairs.
After leaving Parliament, she used her extensive experience in international policy to promote growth, development and solutions to conflict around the world as the Canadian representative to the Inter-American Dialogue in Washington, the International Crisis Group in Brussels and the International Advisory Board for the Council on Foreign Relations in New York.
She is a member of the board of the Canadian Opera Company and is chair of the Patrons’ Council for the Toronto Association for Community Living. She served on York University’s Board of Governors for eight years and is now an honorary governor. She was made an officer of the Order of Canada in 2000.
Convocation ceremonies will take place at the Convocation Pavilion located at the Rexall Centre, 1 Shoreham Drive, at York University’s Keele campus (#8 on map).
Ceremonies will be webcast at the following link, which will become live when ceremonies begin: http://www.yorku.ca/mygrad/livewebcast.
York University is a leading interdisciplinary research and teaching university in Canada. York offers a modern, academic experience at the undergraduate and graduate level in Toronto – Canada’s most international city. The third largest university in the country, York is host to a dynamic academic community of 55,000 students and 7,000 faculty and staff, as well as 250,000 alumni worldwide. York’s 10 faculties and 28 research centres conduct ambitious, groundbreaking research that is interdisciplinary, cutting across traditional academic boundaries. This distinctive and collaborative approach is preparing students for the future and bringing fresh insights and solutions to real-world challenges. York University is an autonomous, not-for-profit corporation.
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Melissa Hughes, Media Relations, York University, 416 736 2100 x22097 / mehughes@yorku.ca
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