UPEI to confer four honorary degrees at May convocation
The University of Prince Edward Island will confer four honorary degrees at this year's convocation ceremonies on May 11. Honorary graduands include business leader and volunteer Fred Hyndman; humanitarian and community activist Marie Burge; science educator and entrepreneur Regis Duffy; and environmental expert and researcher Diane Griffin.
The University's Senate approved the honorary graduands at a meeting earlier this year in accordance with University policy that states honorary doctorates of laws will be presented to individuals who display the highest levels of achievement in public and community service.
'I am pleased on behalf of UPEI to be presenting honourary degrees at this year's convocation to four distinguished individuals who have contributed to our university, our community, and to our country,' said UPEI Chancellor Bill Andrew. 'I believe that Marie Burge, Regis Duffy, Diane Griffin, and Fred Hyndman are outstanding individuals whose success has been matched with tremendous generosity and community service.'
Fred Hyndman, CM, managing director and CEO of Hyndman and Company Ltd., has made a significant contribution to the growth and success of the University over the past 10 years. Hyndman served as chair of the highly successful 'Building a Legacy' campaign for three years, and since 2006 was a member of the UPEI Board of Governors. Most recently, as board chair, he guided the University through its presidential transition when UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz assumed his role on July 1, 2011. Hyndman recently retired as chair on May 31, 2012. He is a member of the Order of Canada.
Marie Burge is a founding member and CEO of Cooper Institute of PEI where she works to advance its vision of empowering groups and individuals who are involved in social change. For over 40 years she has served disadvantaged individuals and families and continues to motivate communities to action. Burge is an alumna of St. Dunstan's University and has taught at UPEI as a sessional lecturer. She has also collaborated with the University on many research initiatives and projects. Burge was awarded the Order of Prince Edward Island award in 1998.
Dr. Regis Duffy, CM, is a UPEI success story. The St. Dunstan's University alumnus was the founding dean of science when the University was incorporated in 1969, and oversaw the melding of science educators and researchers from two institutions into one faculty. He is also Board Chair emeritus of the UPEI Board of Governors. Branching out from his work at UPEI, he became a leader in the PEI business community through his entrepreneurial endeavours-most notably with his first company, Diagnostic Chemicals, (DCL). As founding chair of the PEI BioAlliance, a sector-based bioscience consortium, Duffy was instrumental in assisting other companies to establish themselves in PEI. Through DCL and his more recent venture, BioVectra Inc., a remarkable number of UPEI and Holland College students have received valuable private-sector work experience in their chosen fields. Duffy is a member of the Order of Canada and the Order of Prince Edward Island.
Diane Griffin is a graduate of UPEI and St. Dunstan's University, a former PEI Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy, and is currently the PEI program manager of the Nature Conservancy of Canada. Griffin is passionate about preserving and protecting the environment, and is the recipient of many environmental awards. Griffin is also committed to volunteer work and has numerous publications and papers which she presents on a wide range of topics including agricultural and trade policies, eco-economics, national forest strategy, natural heritage, and protection and conservation. She is currently a councillor for the Town of Stratford. Griffin received the Order of Prince Edward Island in 2010.
The Convocation ceremonies will take place in the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre at 10:00 am and 2:30 pm, Saturday, May 11. Hyndman will address the morning convocation while Duffy will address the afternoon ceremony.
