Toronto, June 12, 2013 – Business leader Serge Godin will receive an honorary degree from York University on Thursday, June 13 and speak to graduating students at their 10:30am convocation ceremony. Lawyer and human rights advocate Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, who will also receive an honorary doctorate degree, will address students at the 3:30pm convocation.
Serge Godin, Doctor of Laws, Thursday, June 13, 10:30am
Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, Social Responsibility Leader
Serge Godin is the founder and executive chairman of CGI Group, one of the largest global business consulting systems integration and outsourcing services companies, growing from two employees in 1976 to more than 72,000 in over 40 countries today. A highly successful entrepreneur and a Canadian pioneer in the field of information technology, Serge Godin is also a leading Canadian philanthropist. In addition to helping many organizations raise money for education, health care and youth, he established a family foundation, Foundation Jeunesse-Vie, which has provided support for more than 90 schools, hospitals and youth groups.
Under Serge Godin’s strong leadership, the task of being a responsible corporate citizen was embedded in CGI’s corporate values. Over the years, CGI has donated millions of dollars to various causes in the fields of education, health care and social services.
In recognition of his accomplishments, Serge Godin has received numerous honours, including the Order of Canada and the Ordre national du Quebec. He was also inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame.
Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, Doctor of Laws, Thursday, June 13, 3:30pm
Professor of Law, Judge, Children’s Rights Advocate
Well-known for her involvement in projects relating to access to justice, judicial independence and public outreach, Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond received her law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1985, before going on to complete her master’s degree in international law from the University of Cambridge and a doctorate of law from Harvard Law School. She was appointed to the bench in 1998. Currently on leave from the Saskatchewan Provincial Court, Turpel-Lafond is serving as British Columbia’s first Representative for Children and Youth.
She has brought dedication and commitment to each of the positions she has held throughout her legal career. From lawyer in private practice to professor of law, to judge to advocate for children’s rights, she is a true pioneer, particularly as the first Aboriginal tenured professor of law in Canada, and the first Aboriginal woman appointed to the judicial bench in Saskatchewan.
Her awards include being named one of Time magazine’s “Top 20 Canadian Leaders for the 21st Century” and the Perry Shawana Award for her leadership and advocacy for children’s rights.
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 helping to shape the global thinkers and thinking that will define tomorrow. York U’s unwavering commitment to excellence reflects a rich diversity of perspectives and a strong sense of social responsibility that sets us apart. A York U degree empowers graduates to thrive in the world and achieve their life goals through a rigorous academic foundation balanced by real-world experiential education. As a globally recognized research centre, York U is fully engaged in the critical discussions that lead to innovative solutions to the most pressing local and global social challenges. York U’s 11 faculties and 28 research centres are thinking bigger, broader and more globally, partnering with 288 leading universities worldwide. York U's community is strong − 55,000 students, 7,000 faculty and staff, and more than 250,000 alumni.
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Media Contact:
Joanne Rider, York University, 416 736 5593 / jrider@yorku.ca
Robin Heron, York University, 416 736-2100, ext.22097 / rheron@yorku.ca
