At this weekend's Convocation, UVic will confer an honorary doctor of laws on Bridget Moran for her life-long commitment to social justice and dedication to First Nations history.
A gold-medal graduate of the University of Toronto, Moran began her career in social work in 1951 with the B.C. government, first in welfare offices in Haney, Salmon Arm and Vernon before settling in Prince George, and then as district supervisor of welfare services for a large section of the central interior.
Her career with the public service came to an end, however, in 1964 when the outspoken supporter of child welfare in B.C. was suspended by W.A.C. Bennett's government for her public criticism of welfare services.
"Her honesty and professional commitment to those who were most disadvantaged became a role model for others," says Barbara Whittington, director of the School of Social Work.
Although she was reinstated after her suspension, Moran was not provided with a job by the government. She eventually moved into hospital and educational work with the Prince George School District, then retired in 1989 after publishing her first book. Stoney Creek Woman received the B.C. Historical Federation's Lieutenant-Governor's Medal in 1989 and is now in its ninth printing. Stoney Creek Woman and other books by Moran are read in high schools, colleges and universities and open learning institutes across Canada. Moran now lectures and gives workshops.
Victoria native Richard Margison will receive an honorary doctor of music. Now a much sought-after tenor with a world-wide reputation, Margison was born and raised in Victoria and graduated from the Victoria Conservatory of Music. In his youth, Margison made extra money by playing guitar and singing in coffee houses around Victoria
He will perform at the Convocation ceremony Nov. 30 at 2:00 p.m.
Margison began his career with appearances with the leading opera companies in Canada including the Canadian Opera Company, Vancouver Opera, Calgary Opera, National Arts Centre, L'Opera de Montreal, Edmonton Opera and Manitoba Opera. He made his European debut in 1989 at the National Opera in London as Riccardo in The Masked Ball and a year later performed for the first time in the U.S. in the title role in Gounod's Faust with the Houston Opera. He debuted at the Metropolitan Opera in New York in 1995 as Pinkerton in Madame Butterfly . This year he will perform in Chicago, Brussels, Seattle, San Diego and Munich. Margison, who now makes his home in Toronto, also appears frequently as soloist with orchestras and recordings.
He has received critical acclaim around the world. The London Times called his Don Jose "fresh and athletic...with a thrilling heroic delivery" and The Los Angeles Times exclaimed with pleasure, "At last, another tenor."
Dr. Herman Vaartnou will receive a posthumous honorary doctor of laws at UVic's Fall Convocation. Vaartnou was a key architect of UVic's Finnerty Gardens.
A native of Estonia, he escaped to Sweden during the Second World War where he studied and received a bachelor of science degree in agriculture. He and his wife, Hella, moved to B.C. in 1950 and he worked first as a laboratory assistant at UBC, then as supervisor of UBC's grounds. In 1966, he completed a PhD in plant ecology and taxonomy from Oregon State University.
Vaartnou developed a keen interest in rhododendrons and began propagating and collecting species and hybrid rhododendrons, creating and registering more than 50 new varieties. He brought this expertise to UVic' Finnerty Gardens where he was involved with the planning of phase two of the Gardens, the area outside the Ring Road.
"The Gardens are the home to many of the plants he propagated. He always had the ability to look at the long picture, and some of the vistas in the Gardens are the result of his vision...many of our gardens are more beautiful because [of him]," says Dr. Betty Kennedy, president of the University Finnerty Garden Friends.
Vaartnou died in July at the age of 79. His son, Peter, will accept the honorary degree on his father's behalf.