UOIT's founding president and chancellor to receive honorary doctorate degrees

Doctor of Laws degrees to be conferred upon Dr. Gary Polonsky and Ms. Lyn McLeod during the 2010 convocation ceremonies

OSHAWA, ON. - In recognition of the instrumental roles they played in the establishment and growth of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) and for their outstanding contribution to the university and community, Dr. Gary Polonsky, founding president, and Ms. Lyn McLeod, founding chancellor, will be presented with honorary Doctor of Laws degrees at the 2010 convocation ceremonies.

"It is a great honour that one of the first honorary doctorate degrees I confer at UOIT will be to my predecessor as chancellor," said the Honourable Perrin Beatty, UOIT's chancellor and president and chief executive officer of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. "A true advocate for education at all levels, and a dedicated leader, Lyn McLeod exemplifies the qualities we strive to instill in all our graduates - leadership, benevolence and true engagement with the societal and political challenges that confront us. I look forward to the opportunity to pay tribute to the key role she has played in making UOIT the excellent institution it is today."

In June 2004, Ms. McLeod was formally installed as the founding chancellor of UOIT and served in the role until 2008. During that time, the university grew from a startup institution to a mid-sized university with a flourishing research program, a diverse array of undergraduate and graduate programs and a proven track-record of attracting and retaining some of the very best faculty, staff and students. In her role as chancellor, Ms. McLeod was unwavering in her commitment and devotion to building a solid foundation for the institution to ensure its long-term success.

Ms. McLeod was voted into the Ontario Legislature in 1987 as the member for Fort William, which later became the riding of Thunder Bay-Atikokan. She was a member of the Peterson cabinet from 1987 to 1990, and held the portfolios of Minister of Colleges and Universities, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister of Energy. In 1992, Ms. McLeod became the first woman to be elected to the leadership of a political party in Ontario. Ms. McLeod is presently the Ontario government representative on the Health Council of Canada, chair of the Ontario Health Quality Council and vice-chair of the Ontario Power Authority board of directors.

Also being celebrated is Dr. Gary Polonsky, an instrumental and inspirational leader involved in the creation of UOIT, who worked closely with a group of community volunteers and business leaders and spearheaded the drive to create more post-secondary options for the citizens of Durham Region and Northumberland County. This vision was realized on May 9, 2001 when the government announced its plans to establish the first new Ontario university in 40 years. For the next five years, he worked toward achieving the unique mission of UOIT, which is to provide market-oriented and career- focused programs that are innovative and responsive to the needs of student and employers. During this time, seven faculties were created, more than 70 faculty members were recruited, 20 undergraduate programs were developed and by September 2005 some 3,000 students had joined in the extraordinary journey of studying at a university as it was being built from the ground up.

"For his remarkable leadership and exceptional professional achievement, for his dedication to his community and creating new opportunities within it, and for his steadfast devotion to innovation and education at every level, I look forward to presenting Dr. Polonsky with an honorary degree from UOIT," said Beatty. "His legacy is evident in the more than 1,000 students who will graduate in June and the thousands who will follow in the years to come."

Prior to the establishment of UOIT, Dr. Polonsky served as Durham College president for more than 17 years. During this time he championed numerous campus developments to enhance student success and provide an exceptional educational experience. Before moving to the Durham Region, he also served as a faculty member at Confederation College in Thunder Bay, later as vice-president at Lakeland College in Vermilion, Alberta and Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, and president of Red River College in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Dr. Polonsky currently serves as honorary patron of the Ontario Philharmonic and honorary chair of the Multiple Sclerosis Walk, and he recently led the successful campaign to raise $1,000,000 for the Oshawa Community Health Centre. Over the years, he has received several distinguished honours for his contributions to educational and community-based initiatives and charities, and was recently granted a permanent place on the City of Oshawa's Walk of Fame. His recent appointment as chairman of the board of trustees for the Canada Museums of Science and Technology is further evidence of the esteem in which he is held within the broader community.

In recognition of his tremendous leadership and long-time contributions to Ontario's college system, he was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Ministry of Training, College and Universities and the Distinguished Service Award from the Association of Canadian Community Colleges. Upon his retirement in June 2006, Dr. Polonsky observed, "In total, I will have spent 43 years - my entire adult life - in the service of students and have loved every minute of it."

UOIT's 2010 convocation ceremonies will be held on Friday, June 4 at the General Motors Centre in Oshawa, Ontario. The honorary degrees will be conferred upon Ms. McLeod at 10 a.m. and Dr. Polonsky at 2:30 p.m.

About UOIT

As an innovative university, UOIT delivers a leading-edge learning environment that uniquely combines academic knowledge, research opportunities, hands-on skills and a vibrant student life. UOIT's more than 6,500 undergraduate and graduate students are taught by professors who are experts in their fields from around the world. As Ontario's first laptop-based university, the university offers a diverse array of challenging undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its faculties of Business and Information Technology; Criminology, Justice and Policy Studies; Education; Energy Systems and Nuclear Science; Engineering and Applied Science; Health Sciences; and Science. UOIT's commitment to research excellence has resulted in millions of dollars in grants and awards, including six Canada Research Chairs. To find out more, visit www.uoit.ca or call 905.721.8668.

About Ontario Tech University
A modern, forwarding-thinking university, Ontario Tech advances the discovery and application of knowledge to accelerate economic growth, regional development and social innovation. We inspire and equip our students and our graduates to make a positive impact in a tech-focused world. For us, it’s not only about developing the next tech breakthrough. Understanding and integrating the social and ethical implications of technology differentiates us as university. Learn more at ontariotechu.ca.

Media contact
Melissa Levy
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
905.721.8668 ext. 2513
289.928.0268
melissa.levy@uoit.ca