Press Release

Friday, May 12, 2017

Université de Moncton to bestow five honorary degrees at May graduation ceremonies

The Université de Moncton will bestow five honorary degrees upon prominent figures who have distinguished themselves in their respective fields. The distinctions will be given out during May graduation ceremonies on the three campuses.

At the Shippagan campus graduation ceremonies to be held on Friday, May 19, beginning at 1:30 p.m. at the sports pavilion, Chancellor Jean-Claude Savoie will bestow an honorary doctorate in medicine upon Stanley Vollant.

At the Edmundston campus, the chancellor will bestow an honorary doctorate in business administration upon Donald Bélanger. The ceremonies will take place on Saturday, May 20, at 2 p.m. at Cité des jeunes A.-M.-Sormany.

At the graduation ceremonies on the Moncton campus, the university will bestow an honorary doctorate in history upon Georges Arsenault. As well, Charles Bourque will become a professor emeritus in chemistry and Gemma Gallant will become a professor emeritus in nursing sciences. The ceremonies will take place on Saturday, May 27, at 1:30 p.m. at the Ceps Louis-J.-Robichaud.

Georges Arsenault
Honorary Doctor of History

The name Georges Arsenault is closely linked to the promotion and influence of Acadian culture and traditions on Prince Edward Island.

He received his Bachelor of Social Sciences from the Université de Moncton and his Master of Arts (popular arts and traditions) degrees from Université Laval.

Mr. Arsenault began his career in 1977 at the Société Saint-Thomas-d’Aquin as a cultural facilitator. In collaboration with the Department of Education, he led an ambitious project to develop pedagogical material on Acadian history and culture for the province’s schools.

From 1982 to 1986, Mr. Arsenault was a professor of Acadian studies at the University of Prince Edward Island. A great communicator, he then became a radio host for more than 15 years.

As well as having written more than 60 articles for various Canadian history publications and magazines, he has more than 30 books to his credit.

Mr. Arsenault currently serves as president of the Sister Antoinette DesRoches Historical Committee. As well, he sits on the Commission de l’Odyssée acadienne as well as the Société de promotion Grand-Pré.

Mr. Arsenault has received a number of honorary distinctions during his career, including the Ordre des francophones d’Amérique and the Order of Canada.

Donald Bélanger
Honorary Doctor of Business Administration

A native of Edmundston, Donald Bélanger received his Bachelor of Applied Computer Science degree from the Université de Moncton. He also holds a Certificate in Municipal Administration from Henson College at Dalhousie University.

During his career, Mr. Bélanger has worked in both public administration and the private sector. From 1984 to 2000, he worked for the City of Edmundston, where he served in various functions, including director of finance and general manager. He played a leading role in the current City of Edmundston’s amalgamation process which resulted in the coming together of four municipalities.

In 1991, he took part in the development and installation of municipal management software for the City of Garoua, Cameroon.

In 2000, Mr. Bélanger joined Enseignes Pattison Sign Group where he has since held a number of positions in the areas of business development, sales and development. In 2006, he became national president of Enseignes Pattison Sign Group.

Mr. Bélanger co-chaired the fundraising committee for the community amphitheatre in Edmundston in 2015-2016.

In November 2016, he was named the first honorary chair of the annual conference of the Sign Association of Canada in Toronto.

Charles Bourque
Professor Emeritus of Chemistry

Charles Bourque was a professor in the chemistry and biochemistry department at the Université Moncton’s Moncton campus from 1983 to 2009. During that time, he was a living example of excellence in teaching.

He holds Bachelor of Science (1971) and Master of Science (1974) degrees from the Université de Moncton. In 1984, he completed his post-graduate studies at Dalhousie University.

During his career, Mr. Bourque has held the positions of dean of the faculty of science, director of the chemistry and biochemistry department, as well as director of the research laboratory on industry and the environment.

Thanks in part to his efforts, the Université de Moncton today enjoys a reputation for excellence in research in the life sciences. He was also responsible for creating research chairs and establishing the master’s program in computer science and the doctoral program in life sciences. He also established the Bernard Vanbrugghe Award for excellence in teaching.

Environmental issues are close to his heart. Mr. Bourque was involved in the creation of a composting industry as a tool for solid waste management in Atlantic Canada. In fact, the Compost Council of Canada recognized him for this exceptional contribution in 1995.

Gemma Gallant
Professor Emeritus of Nursing Science

Gemma Gallant has contributed to the development of the nursing profession and the advancement of knowledge in nursing science in New Brunswick. She has stood out as much through her teaching excellence as through the pertinence of her research.

Mrs. Gallant holds a Bachelor of Nursing Science degree, Bachelor of Education degree and Master of Education degree from the Université de Moncton. She also holds a Master of Nursing Science degree and a Ph.D. in adult education from the Université de Montréal.

She began her career as a professor in 1979 at the Université de Moncton’s school of nursing science. She was a driving force in the implementation of the master’s program in nursing science.

Mrs. Gallant has worked on a number of health-related multidisciplinary research projects throughout her career. Notably, she led major research projects in the area of telemedicine. Between 2001 and 2003, she undertook a project related to the prevention and screening of cervical cancer among aboriginal women.

Retired since 2012, Mrs. Gallant has also made an impact on a number of national committees and organizations.

Stanley Vollant
Honorary Doctor of Medicine

Dr. Stanley Vollant is an Innu from Pessamit, a small community located on Quebec’s northern coast.

Dr. Vollant is very active among First Nations communities. He is passionate about enhancing health professions, promoting healthy life skills, encouraging youth to better themselves, and seeking to instill a sense of pride among his culture.

After graduating with a degree in medicine, he was proud to receive a degree in specialized general surgery in 1994, becoming the first aboriginal surgeon in Quebec.

Dr. Vollant worked in Baie-Comeau from 1994 to 2003. He then practised at the CSSS in Chicoutimi from 2003 to 2006, then Montfort Hospital in Ottawa from 2006 to 2008. He was also an associate professor of surgery and director of the First Nations program at the University of Ottawa’s faculty of medicine. Today, he is a general surgeon at the Dolbeau-Mistassini Hospital.

During his career, he has received a number of honours. He was named a National Native Role Model by the Governor General of Canada. As well, he received the National Aboriginal Achievement Award and the Prestige Award from the Quebec Medical Association. In June 2014, Dr. Vollant was made a knight of the Ordre national du Québec.



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