2007 Fredericton Encaenia - Ceremony C
Gordon, Robert A.
Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.)
Orator: Mason, Gordon
Citation:
ENCAENIA, CEREMONY C, 17 MAY 2007
ROBERT A. GORDON
to be Doctor of Letters
Today we recognize Dr. Robert A. Gordon—known by faculty, students and colleagues alike as "Squee"—for his very significant contributions to post-secondary education.
Picture this: A small university gymnasium in which the playing area of the basketball court under the nets extends right to the wall. A player comes racing up the court, and releases an over-the-shoulder hook shot as he runs out of bounds, his momentum taking him through a doorway that has been conveniently let open, and down the stairs. By the time the ball swishes through the basket, the scorer has completely disappeared from sight. This is not only a snapshot from the life of Squee Gordon but, I submit, a metaphor for his subsequent career: unorthodox but highly successful.
Squee was born in England, grew up in Canada and attended Bishops University for his undergraduate degree. He holds three Master’s degrees, including an M.P.A. from Harvard, and a doctorate in Educational Administration- Higher Education from the University of Massachusetts. After holding several positions in Quebec schools and colleges he arrived at Humber College (or to give it its full title "Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning") where he has been President for 25 years.
Squee was an ardent supporter of the late Anne Bender, Humber’s former Dean of the School of Health Sciences, in her efforts to require a bachelor’s degree as entry to practice for the profession of Nursing in Ontario. In 1999 the Government of Ontario agreed, and amended the Nursing Act with implementation scheduled for January 2005. Since Ontario colleges were not authorized to grant the baccalaureate credential, the government intended that nursing education be provided under a collaborative relationship between colleges and universities in Ontario. Unable to negotiate a satisfactory arrangement with an Ontario University, and finding that bureaucratic regulations stood in the way of an out-of-province partnership, Squee used his considerable powers of persuasion to obtain a Ministerial Exemption. That this unprecedented approval was granted was due in part to the more than 25 years of excellence in nursing education at Humber.
Under this agreement, the same UNB Bachelor of Nursing program is offered to Humber students as in New Brunswick, delivered on site at Humber using Humber faculty. Unorthodox? Yes. Successful? Definitely. In fact, the external review by the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing in January 2006 granted the Humber-UNB site a seven-year accreditation, the most that can be accorded.
Known for his open door policy, his accessibility and his hallway consultations, Squee is among the most approachable educational administrators in the country. He is sometimes controversial, but is a very effective leader because he is so engaged with everyone, easy to talk to and open to dialogue on the toughest issues.
As mentioned previously, he is known for his skill on the basketball court (he once held the Quebec University League scoring championship) and often takes time to play a couple of practice rounds with the Humber Hawks who have been provincial champions many times. He is President and Chair of the Board of Canada Basketball.
Squee has been awarded honorary degrees by the University of Guelph and his alma mater, Bishops University. More recently, he was recognized by The Learning Partnerships for his long standing support of Canadian Public Education. He has served on numerous boards and committees locally, nationally and internationally. He was first elected Chair of the Committee of Presidents of Ontario in 1990 and was re-elected chair an unprecedented three times. He has been a consultant for CIDA in Africa and South East Asia, and a special policy advisor to the federal Secretary of State and to a council on standards in higher education in the U.K. He is the author of numerous publications. To balance all this high-minded seriousness, Squee has also been on the Board of the Canadian Comedy Awards since 2001.
Dr. Gordon’s vision, leadership, and pursuit of excellence have been instrumental in the success of many enterprises, including the mutually beneficial partnership with us at the University of New Brunswick. Today we recognize his achievements with the highest honour we can bestow.
From: Honoris Causa, UA Case 70, Box 4
ROBERT A. GORDON
to be Doctor of Letters
Today we recognize Dr. Robert A. Gordon—known by faculty, students and colleagues alike as "Squee"—for his very significant contributions to post-secondary education.
Picture this: A small university gymnasium in which the playing area of the basketball court under the nets extends right to the wall. A player comes racing up the court, and releases an over-the-shoulder hook shot as he runs out of bounds, his momentum taking him through a doorway that has been conveniently let open, and down the stairs. By the time the ball swishes through the basket, the scorer has completely disappeared from sight. This is not only a snapshot from the life of Squee Gordon but, I submit, a metaphor for his subsequent career: unorthodox but highly successful.
Squee was born in England, grew up in Canada and attended Bishops University for his undergraduate degree. He holds three Master’s degrees, including an M.P.A. from Harvard, and a doctorate in Educational Administration- Higher Education from the University of Massachusetts. After holding several positions in Quebec schools and colleges he arrived at Humber College (or to give it its full title "Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning") where he has been President for 25 years.
Squee was an ardent supporter of the late Anne Bender, Humber’s former Dean of the School of Health Sciences, in her efforts to require a bachelor’s degree as entry to practice for the profession of Nursing in Ontario. In 1999 the Government of Ontario agreed, and amended the Nursing Act with implementation scheduled for January 2005. Since Ontario colleges were not authorized to grant the baccalaureate credential, the government intended that nursing education be provided under a collaborative relationship between colleges and universities in Ontario. Unable to negotiate a satisfactory arrangement with an Ontario University, and finding that bureaucratic regulations stood in the way of an out-of-province partnership, Squee used his considerable powers of persuasion to obtain a Ministerial Exemption. That this unprecedented approval was granted was due in part to the more than 25 years of excellence in nursing education at Humber.
Under this agreement, the same UNB Bachelor of Nursing program is offered to Humber students as in New Brunswick, delivered on site at Humber using Humber faculty. Unorthodox? Yes. Successful? Definitely. In fact, the external review by the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing in January 2006 granted the Humber-UNB site a seven-year accreditation, the most that can be accorded.
Known for his open door policy, his accessibility and his hallway consultations, Squee is among the most approachable educational administrators in the country. He is sometimes controversial, but is a very effective leader because he is so engaged with everyone, easy to talk to and open to dialogue on the toughest issues.
As mentioned previously, he is known for his skill on the basketball court (he once held the Quebec University League scoring championship) and often takes time to play a couple of practice rounds with the Humber Hawks who have been provincial champions many times. He is President and Chair of the Board of Canada Basketball.
Squee has been awarded honorary degrees by the University of Guelph and his alma mater, Bishops University. More recently, he was recognized by The Learning Partnerships for his long standing support of Canadian Public Education. He has served on numerous boards and committees locally, nationally and internationally. He was first elected Chair of the Committee of Presidents of Ontario in 1990 and was re-elected chair an unprecedented three times. He has been a consultant for CIDA in Africa and South East Asia, and a special policy advisor to the federal Secretary of State and to a council on standards in higher education in the U.K. He is the author of numerous publications. To balance all this high-minded seriousness, Squee has also been on the Board of the Canadian Comedy Awards since 2001.
Dr. Gordon’s vision, leadership, and pursuit of excellence have been instrumental in the success of many enterprises, including the mutually beneficial partnership with us at the University of New Brunswick. Today we recognize his achievements with the highest honour we can bestow.
From: Honoris Causa, UA Case 70, Box 4
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