Saint Mary’s University Celebrates Outstanding Business Success, Commitment to Nova Scotia and Community of Four Alumni with Honorary Degrees

Four outstanding Santamarians will be honoured with honorary degrees at May convocation ceremonies, with recipients reflecting leadership in North American business and significant contributions to Nova Scotian and Mi’kmaw communities.    

"In each of these honorary degree recipients, our students can see the dedication, passion and commitment to excellence that leads to success," says President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. "All of our recipients came to Saint Mary's University for their studies, and we are thankful for their continued dedication to our university. With great pleasure, we bestow our highest honour on these four accomplished alumni."  

Saint Mary's University is proud to recognize the achievements of: 

Karen Oldfield BA’82, Q.C., ICD.D 
 
After serving for more than 18 years as President and CEO of the Halifax Port Authority, Karen was recently named the Interim President and CEO of Nova Scotia Health (NSH). While seconded to Nova Scotia Health, she has also been appointed Deputy Minister of Priorities and Planning for the Government of Nova Scotia, a role fundamental to the strategic priorities of the province. Karen also previously served as Chair of the Saint Mary’s University Board of Governors.  
 

Roger J. Lewis BA’01 
 
Roger, a member of the Sɨkɨpne'katik First Nation, is currently the Curator of Mi'kmaq Culture and Heritage with the Nova Scotia Museum. For the past two decades, he has been working closely with Mi'kmaw communities to record important ethnographic information and stories. He is regularly invited to advise educators and to speak within the provincial school system about Treaty Rights and Mi'kmaw history.   

James “JC” Curleigh BComm’89 

JC is Gibson Guitar's President and Chief Executive Officer, where he leads the Gibson senior team of proven executives with broad experience in global brand building, finance and product development. Prior to joining Gibson, JC served as the President of the Levi’s brand at Levi Strauss & Co., and earlier with Keen footwear and Saloman brands. JC is a guitar enthusiast and has been a proud owner of both Gibson and Epiphone guitars over the years, including his latest addition – a Gibson 1960’s J-45 acoustic guitar. 
 

William (Bill) Linton BComm’75 
 
Bill is a corporate director, philanthropist, and investor with over 30 years of business experience. He comes from a family with a strong tradition of business excellence and giving back to their community through a commitment to volunteerism and philanthropy. Bill is a member of the Board of Directors of Empire Company Limited and serves as a director of Deveron UAS Corp. and TMX Group Limited, as well as a number of private companies. Over his career, Bill has held various senior executive-level positions, including Executive Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer at Rogers Communications Inc. 

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 About Saint Mary’s University 

 Saint Mary’s University is one of Canada’s top primarily undergraduate universities known for its international collaborations, leadership in entrepreneurship, and research that benefits local and global communities. Our programs in Arts, Science, Graduate Studies and the Sobey School of Business are among Canada’s best and feature professors who are committed to the success of their students. Saint Mary’s provides our more than 6,600 students with a place that fosters possibility, excellent research opportunities, and distinguished graduate and professional programs combined with a caring community. Nestled in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Canada’s east coast, Saint Mary’s University is marked by iconic buildings, green spaces and fresh ocean air. The Saint Mary’s University community is committed to a prosperous future for the world—a World without limits. 

Honorary Degree Recipient: Karen Oldfield

Karen Oldfield

Karen Oldfield BA’82, Q.C., ICD.D, was named President and CEO of Nova Scotia Health (NSH) on September 1, 2021. This appointment was made by Premier Tim Houston with a mandate to take immediate action to improve health care in Nova Scotia. While seconded to Nova Scotia Health, Karen has also been appointed Deputy Minister of Priorities and Planning for the Government of Nova Scotia, a role fundamental to the long-term strategic priorities of the province.

Previously, Karen served 18 successful years as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Halifax Port Authority. During her tenure at the Port Authority, revenues more than tripled, enabling the organization to make significant financial investments in strategic port and transportation infrastructure to improve port competitiveness and the livability of Halifax. Karen has global experience, particularly in trade development and the establishment of new markets, combined with deep expertise in supply chain management and logistics. Karen operates and achieves results in complex, multidisciplinary/stakeholder environments, particularly at the nexus of government and the private sector.

Karen continues to advise companies committed to growth, especially in Atlantic Canada. Companies such as Warehouse Transport Group, a growing transportation and logistics firm with offices in Cambridge, Ontario and Halifax, Nova Scotia, Vigilant Atlantic, a team of experts providing cost estimates, rapid cost monitoring and overall project delivery throughout Atlantic Canada and beyond, and Scotiaport, a 1600+ acre transportation and logistics park in planning for Truro, Nova Scotia.

Karen is the Past Chair of the Board of Governors of Saint Mary's University. She has served as President of the Canadian Chapter of the International Women's Forum, a global organization of female leaders with a stated mission to develop female executive and board talent further. Karen serves as Lead Director of Acadian Timber (ADN.TO), is Chair of the Nomination, Governance and Executive Compensation Committee and member of the Audit Committee.

Karen lives in Halifax with her husband Darren and their COVID-puppy Charli!

Honorary Degree Recipient: Roger J. Lewis

Roger J. Lewis

Roger J. Lewis BA'01, Sɨkɨpne'katik First Nation, is currently the Curator of Mi'kmaq Culture and Heritage with the Nova Scotia Museum. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Saint Mary's University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, and his Master of Arts from Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN), specializing in pre-contact Mi'kmaw cultural landscape and resource use. For the past two decades, he has been working closely with Mi'kmaw communities to record important ethnographic information and stories. He is regularly invited to advise educators and to speak within the provincial school system about Treaty Rights and Mi'kmaw history.   

Roger currently serves as the Vice President of the Board of the Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre, where he advises on a number of issues dealing with urban residing Indigenous peoples, cultural property rights, research protocols, and the mentoring of youth. He is a Keptin (Captain) of the Grand Council of Mi'kmaq. He is a part-time instructor at Saint Mary's University, co-teaching a course titled "Indigenous Peoples of Canada" with Dr. Trudy Sable from 2014 to 2022.  

An expert on Mi'kmaq culture and heritage, Roger has contributed to numerous publications, including Mi'kmakik Teloltipnik L'nuk - How the People Lived in Mi'kmakik, published in Native Peoples: The Canadian Experience, and Being and Becoming Indigenous Archaeologist, edited by George Nicholas. He is a mentor and valuable resource expert on the Ta'n Weji-sqalia'tiek: Mi'kmaw Place Names Digital Atlas and Website Project. Since its inception, he has offered his knowledge of the landscape of Mi'kma'ki to help contextualize and precisely locate each place name. In 2021, Roger was invited to serve as one of twelve curators as selected from across Canada to provide Interpretation of Contemporary Indigenous art at the new senate building in Ottawa.    

Honorary Degree Recipient: James “JC” Curleigh

James “JC” Curleigh

James “JC” Curleigh BComm’89 is Gibson's President and Chief Executive Officer, where he leads the Gibson senior team of proven executives with broad experience in global brand building, finance and product development. JC is a guitar enthusiast and has been a proud owner of both Gibson and Epiphone guitars over the years, including his latest addition – a Gibson 1960’s J-45 acoustic guitar.

Prior to joining Gibson, JC served as the President of the Levi’s brand at Levi Strauss & Co., where he guided strategic shifts, leadership team evolution and market execution for all brands within the Levi Strauss & Co. portfolio, including Levi’s, Dockers, Signature by Levi’s Strauss and DENIZEN by Levi’s. At Levi’s he returned the brand to its iconic status and grew the business profitably every year under his leadership. He has a proven track record from Levi’s of finding ways to leverage heritage and create modern solutions. JC (along with his team) is credited with being the driving force behind the Levi’s resurgence.

Over the years, JC has built a reputation as a brand building expert and has crafted uniquely tailored solutions for a variety of other well-known consumer goods companies, including as president and CEO of KEEN Footwear and of Salomon Sports NA. At KEEN, he steered a young company to years of strong growth and developed a unique brand identity for its future. Additionally, under his leadership at Salomon, he expanded the ski company into a leading innovative action sports brand.

JC holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and has furthered his executive education at both Stanford and Harvard. He also has delivered several keynote speeches around the world on progressive brand building, business solutions, and team dynamics. He is a triple citizen of the U.S.A., Canada and the U.K. and is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Waterkeeper Alliance. He loves to play music, surf, ski and travel extensively with his wife and three kids.

Honorary Degree Recipient: William (Bill) Linton

William (Bill) Linton

William (Bill) Linton BComm’75 is a corporate director, philanthropist, and investor with over 30 years of business experience. Currently residing in Toronto, he was born and raised in Halifax. Bill comes from a family with a strong tradition of business excellence and giving back to their community through a commitment to volunteerism and philanthropy.

Over the span of his career, Bill has held various senior executive-level positions, including a leading role with one of Canada’s largest publicly traded companies. From 2005 to 2012, he served as Executive Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer at Rogers Communications Inc. Bill has an outstanding record of achievement in the telecommunications and technology sector in North America. During his tenure as an executive vice president with Rogers, he assembled a best-in-class finance team and significantly strengthened the company’s balance sheet while delivering substantial shareholder value and implementing best practices in financial reporting and controls.

Before his time with Rogers, Bill held other senior executive positions, including President & Chief Executive Officer of Call-Net Enterprises Inc., Chair & Chief Executive Officer of Prior Data Sciences Inc. and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of SHL Systemhouse Inc.

Bill serves as a director of Deveron UAS Corp. and TMX Group Limited, as well as a number of private companies. An active investor and advisor, he has provided guidance to many highly successful start-ups in Canada. Along with his wife Marilynne, Bill has been a long-time supporter of St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Toronto and the Toronto Reference Library.

Bill holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Saint Mary’s University and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario.

Celebrated Business Leader, Mental Health Advocate, and Philanthropist to Receive Honorary Degree from Saint Mary’s University

Michael H. McCain

Celebrated business leader, mental health advocate, and philanthropist Michael H. McCain will receive the highest honour Saint Mary's University can bestow, an honorary degree. 

"Home to the Sobey School of Business, the largest business school in Atlantic Canada, Saint Mary's University is a national leader in teaching and studying ethical and values-based business practices and community engagement. These themes are essential to a bright, inclusive and sustainable future," says Saint Mary's University President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. "It is our honour to recognize the accomplishments of a leading Canadian business leader who focuses on ethical and sustainable business practices and is known for his philanthropy and advocacy for enhancing food security and mental health services—Michael H. McCain." 

Michael H. McCain is President and Chief Executive Officer of Maple Leaf Foods, one of Canada’s flagship food companies, with sales of $4.3 billion and employing approximately 13,500 people in Canada and the United States. McCain has devoted his career to the food industry, starting at McCain Foods in the late 1970s, where he held a variety of roles, including president and chief executive officer of McCain Foods USA. He joined Maple Leaf Foods in 1995. Since then, he has been instrumental in establishing Maple Leaf as a strong and sustainable, values-based company with leading brands and market share across its businesses and a bold vision for the future.

“I am deeply honoured to receive this Doctor of Commerce from the Sobey School of Business.  It is particularly meaningful given that we share so many values in terms of business ethics, sustainability and food security,” says McCain. “As we move forward into a new decade changed by recent worldwide events, the next generation of business and community leaders will light our way forward. I am confident that we are in great hands.”

McCain and his team at Maple Leaf Foods are deeply committed to being the global leader in sustainable proteins, reflected in ambitious goals to improve nutrition, reduce antibiotic use in livestock, enhance animal care, advance environmental sustainability, and reduce food insecurity nationally and globally. McCain is a director of McCain Capital and Maple Leaf Foods. He is a member of the Richard Ivey School of Business Advisory Board, the Business Council of Canada, and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation. He is also the honorary chairman of the Maple Leaf Centre for Action on Food Security.

McCain will receive his honorary Doctor of Commerce later this month at the university’s fall convocation ceremony.

Honorary Degree Biography - Michael H. McCain

Michael H. McCain

Michael H. McCain is President and Chief Executive Officer of Maple Leaf Foods, one of Canada’s flagship food companies, with sales of $4.3 billion and employing approximately 13,500 people in Canada and the United States.

Mr. McCain has devoted his career to the food industry, starting at McCain Foods in the late 1970s, where he held a variety of roles, including president and chief executive officer of McCain Foods USA. He joined Maple Leaf Foods in 1995. Since then, he has been instrumental in establishing Maple Leaf as a strong and sustainable, values-based company with leading brands and market shares across its businesses and a bold vision for the future.

Mr. McCain and his team are deeply committed to being the global leader in sustainable proteins, reflected in ambitious goals in the advancement of nutrition, reducing antibiotic use in livestock, animal care, environmental sustainability, and enhancing food security nationally and globally.

Mr. McCain is a director of McCain Capital and Maple Leaf Foods. He is a member of the Richard Ivey School of Business Advisory Board, the Business Council of Canada, and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation. He is also the honorary chairman of the Maple Leaf Centre for Action on Food Security.

Born in Florenceville, New Brunswick, Michael attended Mount Allison University and received an Honours Business Administration degree from the University of Western Ontario. He also holds honorary degrees from Brock University, Carleton University and Guelph University. He is devoted to his five children and family, and lives in Toronto.

Immigration reformer and advocate to receive honorary degree from Saint Mary’s University

An immigration reformer and advocate will receive the highest honour Saint Mary's University can bestow, an honorary degree, on Friday, Jan. 24, 2020.

The university is recognizing the achievement, dedication and life's work of Gerry Mills, the former Executive Director of Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS).

Gerry Mills

"Saint Mary's University understands the importance of intercultural learning, and the advantages global perspectives bring to our university, province and country," said Saint Mary's University President Robert Summerby-Murray. "We are proud to honour Gerry Mills for her decades of commitment to supporting newcomers to Canada and for her work in shaping immigration to Nova Scotia. It is with great pleasure that we welcome her to the Santamarian family."

Born in Gravesend, England, Gerry Mills’s lifelong dedication to supporting newcomers and immigrants comes from her own experience moving to Canada in 1986. Despite knowing the language, it was a startling culture shock. Initially drawn to a career in teaching after earning a degree in German and English from Hull University in England, her own immigration story changed her plans. Mills would begin volunteering in literacy training and teaching part-time in English as a Second Language, but this quickly became a career. Within six months, Mills was the Executive Director of the Halifax Immigrant Learning Centre.

“We are proud to honour Gerry Mills for her decades of commitment to supporting newcomers to Canada and for her work in shaping immigration to Nova Scotia. It is with great pleasure that we welcome her to the Santamarian family.”

— Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, President of Saint Mary's University

Recognizing the benefits that a merger between the Halifax Immigrant Learning Centre and the Metropolitan Immigrant Settlement Association (MISA) could bring for immigrants, Mills led this process with MISA Executive Director Claudette Legault to create the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia. Mills regards this merger, bringing two of the city's most critical immigrant program associations together, as one of her most significant accomplishments. Mills was also crucial to the settling of thousands of Syrian refugees to Nova Scotia; another moment she considers one of the most important of her career.

"In receiving this honour, I want to stress the importance of and express thanks to all of my colleagues for their support, dedication and commitment to helping newcomers to Nova Scotia," said honorary degree recipient Gerry Mills. "None of this would have been possible without you."

• Full biography for January 2020 honorary degree recipient Gerry Mills.

Honorary Degree: Gerry Mills

Gerry Mills

Gerry Mills
Immigration reformer and advocate  

Born in Gravesend, England, Gerry Mills's lifelong dedication to supporting newcomers and immigrants comes from her own experience moving to Canada in 1986. Despite knowing the language, it was a startling culture shock. This experience would shape her passion and inform her understanding as she would go on to guide thousands of immigrants to their new home in Nova Scotia as the Executive Director of Immigrant Services Associations of Nova Scotia (ISANS) for 30 years. 

Initially drawn to a career in teaching after earning a degree in German and English from Hull University in England, her own immigration story changed her plans. Gerry would begin volunteering in literacy training and teaching part-time in English as a Second Language, but this quickly became a career. Within six months, Gerry was the Executive Director of the Halifax Immigrant Learning Centre – the start of a long and inspirational career in supporting immigrants to Nova Scotia.

Always stretching beyond her comfort zone, throughout her career, Gerry has been willing to face new challenges, initiating partnerships and working collaboratively to support the immigration and settlement of newcomers to the province. Recognizing the benefits that a merger between the Halifax Immigrant Learning Centre and the Metropolitan Immigrant Settlement Association (MISA) could bring, Gerry led this process with MISA Executive Director Claudette Legault to create Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia - ISANS. They not only made it work; they made it thrive. With their client-focused approach, they created an organization with lasting impacts on our province and beyond. ISANS now employs 300+ employees and is regarded both nationally and internationally as a leader for innovative and effective immigrant settlement services. The impact of ISANS is evident as immigrant retention has tripled since the year 2000, and Nova Scotia is now ready and able to effectively and appropriately support immigrants and refugees.

Gerry regards this merger, bringing two of the city's most critical immigrant program associations together, as one of her most significant accomplishments. Gerry was also incredibly vital to the settling of thousands of Syrian refugees to Nova Scotia; another moment she considers one of the most important of her career. 

In addition to her career at ISANS, Gerry was also active in the field of adult education, including five years teaching at Saint Mary's University. Well respected within her field, Gerry's opinions and insight have often been sought by others. Gerry has participated extensively in provincial, regional and national boards, committees and working groups on immigration, language and settlement, chairing many of them and addressing politicians and policymakers on various issues.  

An outspoken advocate for change, Gerry has been a champion for immigrants, refugees and accessibility to services for decades. Her impact as a leader in Nova Scotia will be felt for decades to come. Nova Scotia is a better and more diverse community due to the work of Gerry Mills.

Saint Mary’s recognizes two outstanding Canadians with honorary degrees

Fall Convocation

September 27-28

Ceremony Live Feed

Saint Mary’s University will recognize the accomplishments of two outstanding Canadians with honorary degrees at this year’s fall convocation ceremony.

“Honorary degrees celebrate individuals whose accomplishments are an inspiration to our students and people who are exemplars for our entire community,” said Saint Mary’s President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. “I am proud to bestow this honour to Gloria and John for their leadership, and the way in which they embody a key value of our institution, keeping community at the heart of all that we do.” 

The university is pleased to recognize the extraordinary achievements of:

• Gloria Borden, a trailblazer and champion for the arts. One of 18 children raised in New Glasgow, from a young age Borden grew to cherish music, community, sports and boxing. All of these interests represent areas in which she would excel. Borden was the first Black hematology specialist in Canada and participated in research related to the field. Borden was also the first female boxing promoter in Canada and was inducted into the Pictou County Sports Heritage Hall of Fame for her time as a student-athlete. In music, she has been involved in numerous productions and produced the acclaimed God’s Trombones and founded the Nova Scotia Mass Choir.
  

• John A. Young, Q.C., a community builder and legal advocate. Born in Saint John, New Brunswick, Young’s interest in commerce and law led him to pursue post-secondary degrees in both those fields in Halifax and England. After a time spent working on Parliament Hill, he joined three other young lawyers starting a small law firm in Halifax. Young became an important part the firm’s growth from four lawyers to the fourth-largest firm in Atlantic Canada. Young has balanced the needs of a growing law firm with his commitment to community service and volunteerism throughout his career.

The honorary degree recipients will receive their degrees at convocation on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019.

Honorary Degree: John A. Young, Q.C.

John A. Young, Q.C.
Community builder and legal advocate

John A. Young, Q.C.

Born in Saint John, New Brunswick, John Young’s interest in commerce and law would lead him to pursue post-secondary degrees in those fields in Halifax. He would later travel to England where he received a Master of Laws from the University of London. 

After graduating from law school at Dalhousie University, Young would spend the next four years working as a political aid on Parliament Hill. It was there that he first heard about three young lawyers starting a law firm in Halifax. After his time in Ottawa, and after he had completed his Master of Laws, he returned to Halifax and remembered what he had heard about that ambitious new firm. Young would choose the new firm, BOYNECLARKE, over a larger firm, becoming their fourth lawyer in the mid-1970s.

Young would be an essential part of the firm’s growth, as they focused on the specialization that allowed them to develop skills that set them apart from larger firms. During this growing period, the firm would go on to win a case in the Supreme Court of Canada over a much larger firm. They were the upstart in some respects, the only new firm in that period when most Halifax firms had been around for a while. Young was an important part of the firm’s growth from four lawyers to the fourth-largest firm in Atlantic Canada today.

Young was most recently Counsel at BOYNECLARKE LLP, having served as the firm Chair from 2012-2018. He acts on behalf of a wide variety of businesses, government agencies, institutions and not-for-profit organizations and advises their senior management in the creation, operation and expansion of their activities.

He is currently serving as a Chair of the Canadian Forces Liaison Council (NS), Chair of the Canadian Maritime Heritage Foundation, Director of the Royal Nova Scotia Tattoo Society, and Trustee of St. Andrews United Church, Halifax. He recently completed a term as Director of the Nova Scotia Health Authority and has served on a wide variety of boards of Canadian corporations.

Young enjoys golf, politics and community service.

Honorary Degree: Gloria Borden

Gloria Borden
Trailblazer and champion for the arts

Gloria Borden

Gloria Borden grew up as one of 18 children in New Glasglow, Nova Scotia. From a young age, Borden grew to cherish music, community, sports and boxing. After years of success as a student-athlete, Borden would leave New Glasgow for Halifax. 

In 1958, she joined the staff at the Victoria General Hospital as an assistant lab technologist, a position she held while she raised two sons. She would become the first Black hematology specialist in Canada. During this time, she researched a series of tests related to lymphomas that could be used as indicators on patients in or out of remission. Under the direction of Dr. O.A. Hayne, she would go on to have an abstract article published in the New England Journal of Medicine 1987. 

With a successful career in healthcare, Borden also dedicated time to the sport she grew up loving, boxing. In 1970, she founded the Halifax Recreational Amateur Boxing Club. In 1971, Borden became the first female boxing promoter in Canada. She would go on to manage and help train 150 amateur boxers, four of which went on to participate in the 1976 Olympics in Montreal. While she was a successful boxing promoter, it was Borden’s time as a student-athlete in New Glasgow that led to her induction into the Pictou County Sports Heritage Hall of Fame. 

Borden also excelled as a music producer. In 1989, she produced the acclaimed God’s Trombones. She founded the internationally-known Nova Scotia Mass Choir in 1991. Borden produced the first international gospel festival in North America in 1992. She went on to be the founder and President of the Kangee Production Society and the Managing Director of the Jongleur Intensive Performing Arts Academy, the Jeri Brown Touring Youth Choir and the Jeri Brown Theatre Company. She was also a board member for the Charles Taylor Hall Society in 2010. 

Borden is currently looking forward to the next project she plans to produce: a play telling the story of Black Nova Scotia from 1783 to 2010.