Jesse Ausubel (on Wednesday, May 20, 2:30 p.m. Convocation for Science I.) One of the world’s leading authorities on climate change, Jesse Ausubel has been working tirelessly to bring attention to the global environmental crisis we face today. Mr. Ausubel, a Harvard and Columbia educated scholar, is the director of the Human Environment program at Rockefeller University and has been program director for the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation since 1994. Mr. Ausubel’s expertise in environmental science and technology led to his participation in historic developments surrounding the environment. He was one of the organizers of the first UN World Climate Conference in Geneva in 1979, where climate change was identified as an urgent global problem. He is also involved in establishing the Census for Marine Life, an international program that will record all known life in the oceans by 2010. Mr. Ausubel’s work has crossed into the virtual world too, with his online creation, “Encyclopedia of Life,†cataloging information about virtually all life on earth.
Catherine Frazee (on Friday, May 22, 2:30 p.m. Convocation for Law.) A poet, scholar and “disability guru,†Catherine Frazee has spent her entire career exposing barriers to equality for disabled persons. A professor of distinction and co-director of the Institute for Disability Studies at Ryerson University, she has developed many original courses and worked as a mediator and advisor for an extensive list of clients. Ms. Frazee also uses art to advance understanding of the rights and experiences of persons with disabilities. She is co-curator of the exhibition Out from Under: Disability, History and Things to Remember, which starts a national tour in 2010, and was one of the artists profiled in the 2006 National Film Board of Canada documentary, Shameless: The Art of Disability. Ms. Frazee’s artistic endeavors bring to life poignant stories about the lives of disabled people. Whether through lobbying for law reform, bringing injustices to light or serving as an advisor, consultant or mediator, Ms. Frazee champions understanding and change with unparalleled commitment.  Â
Gordon M. Nixon (on Tuesday, May 26, 9:30 a.m. Convocation for Management I—BComm). As the Chief Executive Officer of RBC Financial Group, Gordon M. Nixon is one of Canada’s most accomplished CEOs. While other financial institutions are struggling in this economic downturn, RBC remains not only the most profitable bank in Canada, but one of the most successful in the world. Mr. Nixon believes an organization is only as good as the people who work for it, and his employees are committed to the RBC vision. Under his leadership, this year the bank was named one of the best places to work in a Globe and Mail survey and was honoured by the federal government for promoting diversity. Mr. Nixon has won several awards, including “Canada’s Outstanding CEO of the Year†in 2007. Despite the responsibilities of his position, Mr. Nixon continues to remain active in the community. He is chairman of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives and serves on the board of directors of Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children. He also sits on several advisory boards, including that of his alma mater, Queen’s University School of Business.
Nicolas Pippenger
Nicolas Pippenger (on Wednesday, May 20, 9:30 a.m. Convocation for Architecture and Planning, Computer Science including Master of Health Informatics). Nicolas Pippenger knows computer science is more than just computers; it’s about our relationship to technology and the role it plays in our lives. One of the leading intellectuals of our age, his groundbreaking theories examine how best to deliver messages across computer networks. Dr. Pippenger, a graduate of Shimer College and MIT, is a Professor of Mathematics at Harvey Mudd College. His work in computer science is complemented by his impressive research record in mathematics. Dr. Pippenger’s skills in discrete mathematical analysis contributed to the emergence of an entirely new branch of study. Meanwhile, his work on quantum computing helped foster the field of study here in Canada. His accomplishments have earned Dr. Pippenger numerous accolades. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and a Fellow of the Association for Computing Machinery, all reflecting the outstanding reputation of his research contributions.