Ward, David G.

CONVOCATION, October, 2007
DAVID WARD
to be Doctor of Letters

David Ward’s connection to this province and this region runs deep. Although born in Montreal, David grew up knowing his father’s relatives in Shediac and Moncton and his mother’s in Cape Breton. What’s more, his father Vance attended UNB from 1916 to 1918, interrupting his studies to serve in the First World War. He then went on to earn a medical degree at McGill University.

So it was no surprise when David decided to follow in his distinguished father’s footsteps and enroll in UNB Fredericton in 1958. Here, he showed an early indication of the two interests that would be the cornerstones of his adult life: finance and volunteerism. While still an undergraduate at UNB, he donated his talents to the business management of Student Union activities such as Winter Carnival, Red and Black and the Student Directory.

After receiving a Bachelor of Business Administration from UNB in 1962, David returned to central Canada. He earned his chartered accountant designation in 1965 and rapidly achieved success with Coopers and Lybrand and its successors. During this period he was a member and Chairman for several years of the Accounting Standards Committee of the prestigious Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, and twice spent a year on sponsored assignments in the United Kingdom. His chosen specialty became mergers and acquisitions and he joined Nesbitt Burns as Managing Director of that division. Subsequently he left to form Newcrest Capital where he was partner and Managing Director. This successful venture was purchased by TD Securities, resulting in David’s appointment as Vice Chairman, Investment Banking. Since his retirement from TD, he has continued his involvement in corporate financial planning as Chairman and Managing Director, Mergers and Acquisitions, of Cormark Securities Inc.

David’s abilities were recognized by his peers more than 25 years ago when he was named a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario, the highest distinction offered by the Institute. The Globe and Mail has referred to him as a man who spent his career “putting together corporate jigsaw puzzles” and he was particularly involved in many of the major corporate restructurings of the 1980s and 1990s. He has been described as a visionary, decisive and forthright, who is able to see the larger picture while accurately fitting in the m ore detailed elements. He is master financial strategist whose knowledge of his craft has earned him one of the highest reputations in his field.

Then there is other important side to David’s life: his role as a volunteer, fund raiser and philanthropist. His considerable energy and passion have made him particularly effective as Director and Chairman for Ontario of the Trans Canada Trail Foundation, which is well on its way to meeting its goals of $200 million by 2010.

Healthcare is another of his interests and he has generously supported the Bloorview MacMillan Children’s Centre, Canada’s largest children’s rehabilitation centre; Providence Centre which specializes in the treatment of persons with complex geriatric conditions; and the Princess Margaret Hospital. He has also been involved with UNICEF and has served on the Board of Director of the Hospital for Sick Children Foundation. In addition, David has been a benefactor to education, making significant gifts to the University of Toronto and to his alma mater in support of our libraries and scholarships.

Just as important to UNB, David eagerly offered his assistance to the highly successful Forging Our Futures Campaign as a member of the Campaign Cabinet, graciously making use of his influence and his own network of contacts for the benefit of our fund raising efforts. He has been an active advocate for the University for the part two decades.

In his spare time, David, true to his Maritime roots, loves the water and enjoys boating along the eastern coast of Maine and points south. I am told he may be the only investment banker who is not a golfer, but he does enjoy other land based activities, notably riding both on horseback and on tractor.

The Faculty of Business Administration realized the magnitude of his accomplishments some years ago, awarding his a Certificated of Achievement in 1988. Today we accord him our highest honour, recognizing him not only as a proud and dedicated alumnus, but as a respected businessman and committed philanthropist whose generosity has touched so many areas of Canadian Society.

From: Honoris Causa - UA Case 70, Box 4