Concordia's Thursday Report

Vol. 29, No.18

July 28, 2005

 

Sir George grads celebrate ties

Ceremony at Place des Arts attended by 700

 

Dr. Rita Shane, who was the only woman in the first graduating class of Sir George Williams University in 1937, accepts her honorary certificate from outgoing President Frederick Lowy. The handful of students in Dr. Shane’s class were called the Guinea Pigs, because as the first SGW university students, they were considered to be part of an experiment.


Dr. Rita Shane, who was the only woman in the first graduating class of Sir George Williams University in 1937, accepts her honorary certificate from outgoing President Frederick Lowy. The handful of students in Dr. Shane’s class were called the Guinea Pigs, because as the first SGW university students, they were considered to be part of an experiment.

Photo by Luigi d'Astolofo

More than 700 alumni of Sir George Williams University received Concordia University commemorative certificates on June 8 in a ceremony in Théâtre Maisonneuve of Place des Arts.

To quote John O’Brien, Sir George Williams University’s last principal and Concordia’s first rector, Sir George crammed a lot of history into its 45 years, and left an indelible mark on its graduates.

The alumni and 400 guests heard heartfelt speeches from Chancellor Eric Molson, outgoing President Frederick Lowy, Robert Barnes, president of the Association of Alumni of Sir George Williams University, John Aylen, president of the Concordia University Alumni Association, Vice-President of Advancement & Alumni Affairs Kathy Assayag, Concordia governor Jonathan Wener and Provost Martin Singer.

It was Mr. Wener who conceived the ceremony, as well as a similar one held for Loyola College alumni on March 31.

As the June 8 valedictorian, he gave an emotional and entertaining address about his Sir George days, the impact that his former professors had on his life and career, and the way Concordia maintains the Sir George philosophy of accessibility, diversity and good teaching.