2005 Fredericton Encaenia - Ceremony A
Comper, Francis Anthony
Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.)
Orator: Burge, Elizabeth
Citation:
ENCAENIA, MAY, 2005
FRANCIS ANTHONY COMPER
to be Doctor of Letters
The recognition of Francis Anthony Comper celebrates a long and successful relationship between BMO and UNB, as well as the accomplishments of a distinguished Canadian.
After joining the bank in 1967 and moving through many senior positions, he became Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the BMO Financial Group in 1999. He is now also its President. My privilege today is to present selected detail about a multi-faceted and highly respected community-builder and business leader.
Dr. Comper’s official biography shows a rise through many positions of leadership and sustained attention to infrastructural innovation and the advancement of women staff. One colleague refers to his qualities of dedication, “inexhaustible work ethic, building and supporting relationships and reinvesting in the community.” Another wrote “He has been successful in a caring and understanding way. He’s a pleasure to do business with his style in an inclusive one.” One more colleague explained how Tony Comper is well connected not just inside the banking community but beyond it; and brings a steady analytical and focused attention to any task to which he commits.
Consider his leadership in the wider society. Notable current examples are Vice Chair of the C D Howe Institute, Honorary Chair of the Board of Governors of The Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care in Ontario, one of only three men on the Advisory Council of Women in Capital Markets, Past Chair of the Governing Council of the University of Toronto and Chair of their recent and brilliantly successful fundraising campaign. He chairs the Canadian Board of Advisors for Catalyst, a North American non-profit organization dedicated to advancing women in business and the building of inclusive workplaces.
One example of his valuing of lifespan learning is his work as Chair of the Corporate Advisory Board of the Learning Partnership – a model of national programs for multiage students and delivered as partnerships between business, education, government and community leaders. Another example is the setting up of the Bank of Montreal National Scholarship at the University of Toronto: Dr. Comper expects that the recipients “excel academically but are also deeply involved in the life of their school and community.”
Public recognition of this principled business leader includes the B’nai Brith Canada 2003 Award of Merit and two honorary doctorates. One is worth noting for its gender significance: Mount Saint Vincent University has given 138 honorary degrees, with just 11 going to men.
Dr Comper’s interests in the arts, not to mention his literature background, indicate a well-rounded, quietly determined, and consistently gracious human being. He is just the kind of “Corporate Knight” that Geoffrey Chaucer would surely have welcomed for a pilgrimage. UNB looks forward to his companionship and wise counsel on its journey into the future.
From: Honoris Causa - UA Case 70, Box 2
FRANCIS ANTHONY COMPER
to be Doctor of Letters
The recognition of Francis Anthony Comper celebrates a long and successful relationship between BMO and UNB, as well as the accomplishments of a distinguished Canadian.
After joining the bank in 1967 and moving through many senior positions, he became Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the BMO Financial Group in 1999. He is now also its President. My privilege today is to present selected detail about a multi-faceted and highly respected community-builder and business leader.
Dr. Comper’s official biography shows a rise through many positions of leadership and sustained attention to infrastructural innovation and the advancement of women staff. One colleague refers to his qualities of dedication, “inexhaustible work ethic, building and supporting relationships and reinvesting in the community.” Another wrote “He has been successful in a caring and understanding way. He’s a pleasure to do business with his style in an inclusive one.” One more colleague explained how Tony Comper is well connected not just inside the banking community but beyond it; and brings a steady analytical and focused attention to any task to which he commits.
Consider his leadership in the wider society. Notable current examples are Vice Chair of the C D Howe Institute, Honorary Chair of the Board of Governors of The Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care in Ontario, one of only three men on the Advisory Council of Women in Capital Markets, Past Chair of the Governing Council of the University of Toronto and Chair of their recent and brilliantly successful fundraising campaign. He chairs the Canadian Board of Advisors for Catalyst, a North American non-profit organization dedicated to advancing women in business and the building of inclusive workplaces.
One example of his valuing of lifespan learning is his work as Chair of the Corporate Advisory Board of the Learning Partnership – a model of national programs for multiage students and delivered as partnerships between business, education, government and community leaders. Another example is the setting up of the Bank of Montreal National Scholarship at the University of Toronto: Dr. Comper expects that the recipients “excel academically but are also deeply involved in the life of their school and community.”
Public recognition of this principled business leader includes the B’nai Brith Canada 2003 Award of Merit and two honorary doctorates. One is worth noting for its gender significance: Mount Saint Vincent University has given 138 honorary degrees, with just 11 going to men.
Dr Comper’s interests in the arts, not to mention his literature background, indicate a well-rounded, quietly determined, and consistently gracious human being. He is just the kind of “Corporate Knight” that Geoffrey Chaucer would surely have welcomed for a pilgrimage. UNB looks forward to his companionship and wise counsel on its journey into the future.
From: Honoris Causa - UA Case 70, Box 2
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