A. Jean de Grandpré to be named Chancellor Emeritus at McGill

Only second former chancellor to receive emeritus status in University’s history

McGill University will honor Governor Emeritus and McGill alumnus A. Jean de Grandpré with the title of Chancellor Emeritus during the Fall Convocation on Friday, November 9, at 2 p.m. in Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier at Place des Arts in Montreal. Mr. de Grandpré will be only the second chancellor in McGill’s history to receive the honour. The first was Mrs. Gretta Chambers, who served as McGill Chancellor from 1991 to 1999 and was named Chancellor Emerita in 2001.

A. Jean de Grandpré graduated from McGill in 1943 with a Bachelor of Civil Law and as a Faculty of Law gold medalist. In 1966 he began a long association with Bell Canada and BCE Inc. Joining Bell as general counsel, he eventually became its vice-president (law), executive vice-president (administration), president and, finally, its chairman and chief executive officer. Director of a number of national and international companies, Mr. de Grandpré has also served the federal government in several important capacities, ranging from legal counsel to the Royal Commission for Broadcasting to chairman of the Prime Minister’s Advisory Council on Adjustment, created to advise on the effects of the Canada-US Free Trade Agreement.

His many accolades include being named a companion of the Order of Canada and induction into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame. In 2000, the A. Jean de Grandpré family provided generous support to the Montreal Neurological Institute to create the de Grandpré Communications Centre in the MNI’s Brain Tumour Research Centre. Today, the facility provides a high-technology communications interface for brain tumour researchers in Canada and around the world.

In recognition of his dedication and contributions to McGill, Mr. de Grandpré was awarded a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa in 1981. He served as McGill University’s 15th Chancellor from 1984 to 1991 and was named Governor Emeritus in 1992.