Fall convocation today

default-hero-image

Nearly 1,500 students will receive their degrees at two convocations being held today in
Hamilton Place's Great Hall.

The morning ceremony, at 9:30 a.m., will include graduands from business, humanities,
social sciences and the Arts & Science Program. Graduands in engineering, science and
health sciences will receive their degrees at the afternoon ceremony, beginning at 2:30
p.m.

Anne Golden, president and CEO of the Conference Board of Canada, will receive an
honorary doctorate at the morning ceremony. She will address graduands on the subject
of how individuals can respond to diminishing confidence and trust in leaders and
institutions.

Business executive and philanthropist T. Robert (Bob) Beamish will receive an honorary
Doctor of Laws degree at the afternoon ceremony. Beamish is the co-founder and
chairman of the Woodbridge Group, an international business based in Canada that
produces and supplies products to the automotive industry. Beamish and his family are
founders of the WB Family Foundation, which supports medical research, mental health
programming, health care and education.

Gordon Guyatt, a professor in the Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics,
will receive the Distinguished University Professor Award. Guyatt coined the term
“evidence-based medicine” and is a leader in developing and fostering evidence-based
approaches to clinical practice.

Michael Lee-Chin, an entrepreneur and philanthropist who received his Bachelor of
Engineering and an Honorary Doctor of Laws from McMaster, will receive the 2011
Distinguished Alumni Award for the Arts. The award recognizes his business leadership
and his support of the arts, culture and education.

The Fall Convocation ceremonies will be broadcast live href=”http://registrar.mcmaster.ca/convocation/LiveConvocation/”>here.