McMaster alumni appointed to Order of Ontario

Three people with connections to McMaster are among those who have recently been appointed to the Order of Ontario.

Michael Lee-Chin (BEng 1974, LLD 2003 honoris causa), Upton Allen (MSc 1990), and Robert J. Sawyer, one of Canada’s most celebrated science fiction writers, are among the 23 honorees for 2017.

Philanthropist and entrepreneur Michael Lee-Chin is the founder and chair of Portland Holdings, Inc. His support of the Royal Ontario Museum resulted in the creation of the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal, the museum’s iconic glass addition that opened in 2007. At McMaster, he supported the creation of the AIC Institute for Strategic Business Studies within the DeGroote School of Business.

Upton Allen is a pediatrician whose research focuses on infections in transplant recipients and other immunocompromised patients. He holds the Bastable-Potts chair in infectious diseases research at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.

Science fiction writer Robert J. Sawyer became connected with McMaster in 2013 when he donated his papers – 85 boxes of drafts, notes and other materials – to the university’s collection of Canadian literary archives. Sawyer is the only Canadian author to win all three top international awards for science fiction writing: the Nebula Award, the Hugo Award and the John W. Campbell Memorial Award.

“I am proud to welcome the 23 newest members of the Order of Ontario,” said Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell in announcing the awards. “They continue a tradition of excellence and represent the best of this great province. Their extraordinary achievements have contributed to making Ontario, and the world, a better place for us all.”