MacGillivray, Marjorie Ellen MacLaggan

ENCAENIA, MAY, 1981
MARJORIE ELLEN MACLAGGAN MACGILLVRAY
to be Doctor of Science

It is an ancient and ill founded aphorism that woman's place is in the home, an aphorism whose weaknesses are made most apparent by the strengths of the charming and gracious lady whom the University of New Brunswick honors today.

Born Marjorie Ellen MacLaggan, in the quiet environs of South Devon, Dr. MacGillivray was introduced to the world of learning at the Devon Superior SchooI and the Fredericton High School; she did her undergraduate studies in the Faculty of Arts at the University of New Brunswick, progressed to a Master of Science degree at the University of Michigan and crowned her formal academic training with a doctorate in Science from the University of Leiden in the Netherlands.

When she joined Agriculture Canada in Fredericton, while still an undergraduate, she began an association which has blossomed into a lifetime of dedicated scientific research. It may be incongruous that this gentle lady has developed into the ruthless enemy of the aphid, an insect which she herself has described as "beautiful". Beautiful or not, she has pursued these potato infesting pests with deadly efficiency and has earned for herself an international reputation in this area of Biology.

Ellen MacLaggan's intellectual qualities were a bright, future promise when she was admitted to this university with an Alumnae Entrance Scholarship; today these same qualities are readily apparent and are often taken for granted as Ellen MacGillivray serves her alma mater as an Honorary Research Associate.

Service in various entomological societies, both in Canada and abroad, has earned for her the Entomological Society of Canada Service Shield and a Fellowship in that organization. It is highly significant that she has served as the first, and so far only, female president of the Entomological Society of Canada.

Nor have her interests been restricted to her specific area of scientific research. She has served the Canadian Forestry Association of New Brunswick; her long and dedicated affiliation with the Fredericton Tree Commission has allowed her to make a major contribution toward the unending battle to preserve Fredericton as the City of Stately Elms; she has played an important role in a diverse number of community enterprises, not the least of which is the Fredericton Society of St. Andrew of which she is currently president.

Marjorie Ellen MacLaggan MacGiIlivray is a renowned scientist, an eminent daughter of New Brunswick, a dedicated servant of community, national and international enterprises, the University of New Brunswick is proud to honor this distinguished and delightful alumna and, in so doing, to acknowledge to her its own debt as well as that of a much larger community.

Insignissime Praeses, tota Universitas, praesento vobis Margaritam Helenam MacLaggan MacGillvray ut admittatur honoris causa ad gradum Doctoris in Scientia in hac Universitate.

From: Honoris Causa - UA Case 70, Box 2