UNB News
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Grammy and Juno winner Anne Murray, Olympic champion Clara Hughes, former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Phil Fontaine among event’s distinguished guests On Thursday, Sept. 23, the University of New Brunswick, Canada’s oldest English-language university, will celebrate 225 years of achievement with an exciting and memorable ceremony honouring five outstanding Canadians at Toronto’s Royal Conservatory TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning, Koerner Hall. Co-hosted by two of UNB’s most prominent and distinguished alumni Grammy and Juno winner Anne Murray and former Premier of New Brunswick and Deputy Chair of TD Financial Group Frank McKenna, the evening will honour: Clara Hughes, Olympic champion, volunteer and philanthropist; Phil Fontaine, former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations; Carolyn Acker, Canadian pioneer in poverty reduction; Purdy Crawford, business leader and dean emeritus of Canada’s corporate bar; and Alan MacGibbon, UNB alumnus, global strategist and corporate visionary. This diverse group of distinguished Canadians will share their thoughts on a national issue of personal importance. The highly anticipated festivities will celebrate the achievements of both the honourees and the university, an institution nestled in the beauty of Canada’s Maritime provinces that has been quietly changing the world for 225 years. UNB Chancellor and Canadian business icon Richard J. Currie will preside over the recognition ceremony. “Like UNB, Canada has relied on the contributions of many to build a great nation,” said Eddy Campbell, president and vice-chancellor of UNB. “As a result, there is no better way to celebrate this milestone than to recognize five distinguished Canadians who have played an important role in shaping our country.” Forged out of the New Brunswick wilderness by United Empire Loyalists and established in 1785, UNB is celebrating the spirit and commitment of its founders and builders, and the contributions they have made toward creating the world-class university it has become. UNB invites Canadians from across the country to join in the celebration at Toronto’s Royal Conservatory, 273 Bloor St. W, on Sept. 23, at 8 p.m.. Doors open at 7 p.m. For more information on UNB or its 225th anniversary, please visit www.unb.ca/225. For more information on A Celebration of Canadian Spirit or interview requests with the hosts, honourees, and Dr. Campbell, contact Winston Ma at winston@lotusleaf.ca or (416) 928-1978, or Julia Che at julia@lotusleaf.ca or (416) 928-1978.