Church Point (N.S.), April 11, 2018 – Université Sainte-Anne is proud to announce that it will award an honorary doctorate in Acadian studies to Mr. Frank McKenna, during the graduation ceremony, to be held on Saturday, May 12, 2018.
Originally from Apohaqui, New Brunswick, Mr. McKenna is a graduate of St. Francis Xavier University, Queen's University and the University of New Brunswick's Faculty of Law. In 1982, he entered the provincial political scene and was elected Premier of New Brunswick in 1987, winning all 58 seats in the Legislative Assembly. In 1997, he resigned as Premier. His services subsequently became highly sought after in the private sector. He worked as a lawyer for two nation-wide law firms.
In 2005, he was appointed as Canada's Ambassador to the United States by Prime Minister Paul Martin. Since the end of his ambassadorial term, he has been the Deputy Chair of the TD Bank Financial Group, one of North America's largest banks. He is indisputably one of Canada's most respected political and business leaders.
In addition to his accomplishments in the private and public sectors, Mr. McKenna deserves to be honoured for the invaluable legacy that he passed on to the Acadian people, since it is under his tenure as Premier of New Brunswick that Section 16.1 was enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
This section guarantees equality between New Brunswick's French-speaking and English-speaking linguistic communities and since its adoption in 1993, it has been the cornerstone for several legal victories and court challenges related to linguistic issues for our neighbours in New Brunswick. As such, Mr. McKenna has demonstrated an exceptional understanding and heightened sensitivity of the aspirations of the Acadian and French-speaking communities. Moreover, his contributions to cultural and linguistic harmony led to him being awarded the 2016 New Brunswick Lieutenant-Governor's Dialogue Award.
Mr. McKenna also holds 13 honorary degrees. St. Thomas University's public policy school and St. Francis Xavier University's leadership centre have been named in his honour.
His commitment to charitable works, particularly in Haiti, earned him the Red Cross Humanitarian of the Year Award.
Mr. McKenna is a Queen's Counsel, as well as a member of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, the Order of New Brunswick and the Order of Canada.
He and his wife, Julie, have three grown children.
In recognition of his contribution to the public sector, the business world, and specifically the collective rights of Acadian communities, Université Sainte-Anne is proud to award an Honorary Doctorate in Acadian Studies to Mr. Frank McKenna.
The entire community and all media outlets are invited to attend this ceremony in honour of our students and the Honourable Frank McKenna, which will take place at Sainte-Marie Church on Saturday, May 12, at 2:00 p.m. For those who are unable to attend, the event will also be available as a webcast.
About Université Sainte-Anne
Université Sainte-Anne, the only French language post-secondary institution in Nova Scotia, offers university and college-level courses as well as a French immersion program and customized training in French as a second language. Recognized for its excellent programs as well as its unique and exceptional living environment, Sainte-Anne offers experiential learning opportunities that promote student engagement and success, and an atmosphere which encourages a culture of excellence in research and development. Solidly established in its community, Université Sainte-Anne is a partner of choice for all those who wish to strengthen the vitality of the regions surrounding its 5 campuses as well as all of Acadie throughout Nova Scotia.
For more information
Rachelle LeBlanc, Director of Communications and Marketing
Université Sainte-Anne
Tel.: 902-769-2114 Extension 7222
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