Kent Nagano and Ruth Goldbloom set to receive honorary degrees from McGill
Famed music director and groundbreaking fundraiser will receive honorary doctorates at fall convocation
Two outstanding leaders are being recognized for their achievements by McGill University at fall convocation. Kent Nagano, Musical Director of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, will be awarded an honorary Doctorate of Music at a special convocation ceremony on Thursday, October 27, at Pollack Hall at 10:30 am. Philanthropic fundraiser and Pier 21 Foundation Chair Ruth Goldbloom will be awarded an honorary Doctorate of Laws on Thursday, October 20, at 2:30 pm at Place des Arts. Nagano and Goldbloom will be honoured at the same time that approximately 1,700 students graduate from McGill.
Ruth Goldbloom
An Officer of the Order of Canada, Mrs. Ruth Goldbloom has earned many honours for her contributions, including the Human Relations Award from the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews, Heritage Canada's Achievement Award for contributions to heritage conservation, the Volunteer of the Year prize from the Centre for the Advancement and Support of Education, and the Tourist Industry of Nova Scotia Ambassador Award. Her latest project, Pier 21, was realized as a result of her unmitigated enthusiasm and leadership. Through her efforts, the pier that served as the port of entry for one million immigrants to Canada was transformed into a national symbol of hope.
Kent Nagano
Kent Nagano has established a reputation as a gifted interpreter of both the operatic and symphonic repertoire. A popular guest conductor with many of the world's leading orchestras, Nagano is Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Deutsches Sinfonie-Orchester Berlin and Principal Conductor of the Los Angeles Opera (a position he holds until 2006). In 2006 he will take over from Zubin Mehta as Music Director of the Bavarian State Opera, and also become Music Director of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, for whom he will serve as Music Advisor this season and next. He also maintains his long association with the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra in California, where he has held the position of Music Director since 1978.
About McGill University
McGill University is Canada's leading research-intensive university and has earned an international reputation for scholarly achievement and scientific discovery. Founded in 1821, McGill has 21 faculties and professional schools which offer more than 300 programs from the undergraduate to the doctoral level. McGill attracts renowned professors and researchers from around the world and top students from more than 150 countries, creating one of the most dynamic and diverse education environments in North America. There are approximately 23,000 undergraduate students and 7,000 graduate students. It is one of two Canadian members of the American Association of Universities. McGill's two campuses are located in Montreal, Canada. Read more on the McGill website.
Fall 2005 convocation ceremonies take place on Thursday, October 20, in Salle Wilfrid Pelletier, at Place des Arts.
