University of Regina to award three honorary degrees at 43rd Spring Convocation
News Release Release Date: June 6, 2017 11:30 a.m.
The University of Regina is honouring three exceptional individuals with honorary doctorate degrees at the University of Regina’s 43rd Spring Convocation ceremonies, taking place June 7-9 at the Conexus Arts Centre.
On June 7, businessperson and philanthropist Kenneth Levene will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.
On June 8, business executive Timothy Hearn will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.
On June 9, former RCMP Commissioner Beverley Ann Busson will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.
Ken Levene
When Ken Levene learned that he was receiving an honorary degree, his first reaction was “Why me?” Since then he has come to see the honour as a family one.
“It not only honours me but also my mother and father and my grandparents and the influence they had on me. If my grandfather hadn’t left the old country, none of this would have happened,” he says.
His grandfather left Russia in 1911 for a better life in North America. After arriving in New York and working in a dry cleaning shop, he decided to pursue a better life in Canada. He began by peddling dry goods in Manitoba and later bought a general store in Southey, Saskatchewan. In 1929 he moved to Regina and set up Crescent Furniture. After his untimely passing in 1943, his son took over the business.
Ken Levene earned business degrees at McGill University and Harvard and in 1962 he became the third generation operator of Crescent Furniture. He decided to close it in 1984.
In 2005, he made a $4-million donation to establish the Kenneth Levene Graduate School of Business.
Tim Hearn
Tim Hearn, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Imperial Oil Limited from 2002 to 2008, says growing up in Regina is a big reason for his success – and being presented with an honorary degree by the University of Regina.
“In accepting this award, for me it is truly an acknowledgment that much of my success in career and life directly emanates from my Saskatchewan roots and upbringing,” Hearn says.
Hearn graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1967 with a bachelor of science degree.
He joined Imperial Oil as a marketing representative and held a variety of positions during his career. He was vice president of Human Resources at Imperial’s parent firm, Exxon Mobil, and then was president of Exxon's Asia-Pacific operations.
Since retiring, Hearn has served on a number of boards, including the C.D. Howe Institute, the Calgary Homeless Foundation and Viterra. He is currently a director with ARC Resources and CGI Group.
Beverley Ann Busson
Beverley Ann Busson was in the first class of female RCMP members training in Regina in 1974. At the time, she says she was unaware that she was part of a group of “trailblazers for the next generations of female members.”
Her career culminated upon being named the first female Commissioner of the RCMP in 2006.
She says she was “surprised and humbled” when she found out she was receiving an honorary degree from the University of Regina. “I have made it my life’s work to try to make a difference and in my journey had the opportunity to do it at many different roles within the RCMP.”
Busson says times have changed for the better.
“I take great pride in the number of female officers and leaders in the RCMP and how their roles are accepted without a blink. That is real progress – and how it should be.”
As well as the honorary degree recipients, 2,088 students are graduating at the 43rd Spring Convocation and will join the ranks of more than 70,000 University of Regina alumni.
NOTE: Media are invited to attend Spring Convocation beginning at 2:00 p.m. on June 7, 8 and 9, 2017, at the Conexus Arts Centre. Row AA is available for media.