1962 Fredericton Convocation

Wardell, John Michael Stewart

Doctor of Laws (LL.D.)

Orator: Cattley, Robert E.D.

Image
Image Caption
L to R: Colin B. Mackay, John Michael Stewart Wardell, C.L. Mahan
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Source: UA PC-5 no.5(2); Photo by Joe Stone & Son Ltd.

Citation:

CONVOCATION, OCTOBER, 1962
JOHN MICHAEL STEWART WARDELL
to be Doctor of Laws

Bred in Wales of good English stock, Eton and Sandhurst might have moulded him into a fine professional soldier. Soldier he was, distinguished in two world wars, but his profession was to be decided by the stronger gravitational pull of Lord Beaverbrook.

In that cosmic field he learned, as was to be expected, more than journalism. He learned of New Brunswick. The Indian magic in the words Restigouche and Miramichi was doubtless reinforced by these turning up as the names of two of his Lordship's racehorses. It needed but the invitation of our Chief justice to overcome the attractions of Mawddach and Wnion, Wardell's own Welsh waters. He came here to fish and he stayed to fight -- but not our New Brunswick salmon. Diverted from our radiant countryside to our far from radiant economy, his eye and immediate sympathy were enlisted for the whole Maritime condition.

To make the cause of these provinces more truly his, he settled in Fredericton. He acquired our paper and founded a magazine with a title that sits equally well on its founder. The Atlantic Advocate has taken its rightful place among our national organs; its publisher has won ultra-national recognition.

Twelve years of unwavering dedication, twelve years to which he has devoted the resources of modernized presses, superb colour-printing, and his own considerable talents of brain, pen, and tongue, have gone into bringing Ottawa to recognize that the welfare of the Maritimes is the welfare of Canada. Seven days ago these twelve years were crowned when the Atlantic Development Board was foreshadowed.

Few speakers could hope to address you at a prouder moment in their own careers, or a more auspicious one in our own; and none with wider knowledge and (as I think you will find) in more compelling words on a more acceptable subject.

From:
Cattley, Robert E.D. Honoris causa: the effervescences of a university orator. Fredericton: UNB Associated Alumnae, 1968.

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