Nolan, Roderick (Rod)

CONVOCATION, OCTOBER, 2004
RODERICK NOLAN
to be Doctor of Science

Of all the graduates of the University of New Brunswick, few can match Rod Nolan's lifetime of service to his alma mater and none surpasses his dedication to its well-being and growth. He was a member of the Board of Governors for nine years, vice-chair for two, and chairman of the board for five of the most productive years in the University's history.

But in honoring him today, the University does more than celebrate his service to this institution. Rod Nolan has had a distinguished career as a professional engineer and businessman, as chairman and CEO of one of the largest consulting and design engineering firms in Atlantic Canada, and as a community activist who has provided leadership in social, religious, and political organizations stretching back to his arrival in Fredericton to attend UNB.

He was born in rural Restigouche County where he spent his youth, graduating from Dalhousie High School as Class President. In 1952, he entered UNB as a Beaverbrook Scholar, and studied electrical engineering. At the same time, he enrolled in an officer training program as a Naval Officer Cadet, was chosen cadet of the year in his first year, and subsequently was chosen as one of forty Canadian cadets to attend the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. When he graduated, he received his officer's commission as a Sub-Lieutenant. He returned to UNB to complete his Master's degree, specializing in industrial systems control theory. He also took advanced courses at Case Institute of Technology in Cleveland, Ohio, and at the University of London's Imperial College, the latter as a Beaverbrook Overseas Scholar.

Rod's 40-year career as a consulting engineer revolved around the establishment and growth of Neill and Gunter. He was the firm's first full-time employee. From its modest beginnings in 1964, Neill and Gunter thrived in the field of design engineering in the pulp and paper industry. Besides his direct hands-on work as a design engineer for boiler installations, Rod served as a project design manager and design engineer for several major projects in the pulp and paper, food and beverage, petrochemical, mining and charcoal manufacturing industries. As the company grew to its present level of nearly 500 employees, he moved up the ranks in management, eventually becoming vice-chairman of the company, a director of its three subsidiaries, president, and ultimately chairman and CEO. In his profession, Rod Nolan is known as a leader and builder, and equally as a man of quiet demeanor with a genuine interest in other people.

His personal qualities have carried over into life in the community. He and his wife Dorina became active members of their church and together they shared an interest in provincial and federal politics, attending public meetings and working in elections. Rod eventually became head of fund raising in New Brunswick for the Liberal Party of Canada. Together, Rod and Dorina raised three lovely daughters, and their home was regularly filled with music and little people learning to speak French. Their family epitomized the ideal of a bilingual province and country. When Dorina's life was tragically shortened by breast cancer, Rod helped found the New Brunswick Breast Cancer Network. His dedication to this project followed what was already a vigorous involvement in community activities ranging from the Red Shield Campaign, Run for the Cure, and the United Way, to Portage Atlantic, a substance abuse rehabilitation centre for adolescents, of which Rod was founder and chairman.

We honour Rod Nolan tonight for his distinguished service to UNB, his community, his profession, and the country. But most of all we salute him as a dear friend whose ability to bring people together in the spirit of cooperation and commitment to high ideals has benefited many. On behalf of the Board of Governors and the entire University community, thank you Rod Nolan.

From: Honoris Causa - UA Case 70, Box 4