2005 Saint John Spring Convocation
Weir, Elizabeth Jane
Doctor of Laws (LL.D.)
Orator: Maier, Sarah E.
Citation:
Elizabeth Jane Weir
to be Doctor of Laws
May 2005
It is my pleasure to introduce you to Elizabeth Jane Weir who is this day to be granted our University's prestigious honorary degree of Doctor of Laws.
It is in recognition of Ms. Weir's contribution to the life of our community that we honour her today. In the political arena, Ms. Weir is often at the very forefront of change. She is the first woman chosen to be leader of a political party in New Brunswick; she is the first woman leader elected to the Legislative Assembly, and the first elected Leader of the provincial New Democratic Party.
Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Ms. Weir is the daughter of Dorothy Wilkinson and George Weir, is married to James Stanley and is the proud mother of her daughter, Sarah. After graduating with her honours degree in Sociology from the University of Waterloo and her law degree from the University of Western Ontario, she was admitted to the law society of Upper Canada in 1978; indeed, she has taught courses in Industrial Relations and Employment Law at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton. Elected to the Legislative Assembly to represent the constituency of Saint John South in 1991, she has been re-elected in subsequent elections to the riding of Saint John Harbour.
Ms. Weir's passionate advocacy of the importance of health care and other issues of vital importance to the province's citizens, as well as her service to the international community - whether through tireless work on house committees, training parliamentarians or working on international democracy development projects in such countries as Mozambique, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, or Morocco - make her an exemplar of one who leads through action and integrity in a way that 'transcends partisan politics."
Honorary degrees are granted to individuals who exemplify those values cherished by our academic community. Elizabeth Jane Weir stands before you - today's graduands on the brink of a new journey - as a model citizen who lends her strength, skill and voice to the people and causes of our province.
to be Doctor of Laws
May 2005
It is my pleasure to introduce you to Elizabeth Jane Weir who is this day to be granted our University's prestigious honorary degree of Doctor of Laws.
It is in recognition of Ms. Weir's contribution to the life of our community that we honour her today. In the political arena, Ms. Weir is often at the very forefront of change. She is the first woman chosen to be leader of a political party in New Brunswick; she is the first woman leader elected to the Legislative Assembly, and the first elected Leader of the provincial New Democratic Party.
Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Ms. Weir is the daughter of Dorothy Wilkinson and George Weir, is married to James Stanley and is the proud mother of her daughter, Sarah. After graduating with her honours degree in Sociology from the University of Waterloo and her law degree from the University of Western Ontario, she was admitted to the law society of Upper Canada in 1978; indeed, she has taught courses in Industrial Relations and Employment Law at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton. Elected to the Legislative Assembly to represent the constituency of Saint John South in 1991, she has been re-elected in subsequent elections to the riding of Saint John Harbour.
Ms. Weir's passionate advocacy of the importance of health care and other issues of vital importance to the province's citizens, as well as her service to the international community - whether through tireless work on house committees, training parliamentarians or working on international democracy development projects in such countries as Mozambique, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, or Morocco - make her an exemplar of one who leads through action and integrity in a way that 'transcends partisan politics."
Honorary degrees are granted to individuals who exemplify those values cherished by our academic community. Elizabeth Jane Weir stands before you - today's graduands on the brink of a new journey - as a model citizen who lends her strength, skill and voice to the people and causes of our province.
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