Sixteen new Order of Canada appointments for U of T

Governor General David Johnston has appointed 16 members of the University of Toronto community to the Order of Canada.

The awards honour the service and impact of alumni, faculty, and honorary graduates in backgrounds ranging from music to film, biochemistry, space exploration, global health and beyond.

“Arnold Noyek’s work has made huge contributions both to training health professionals in skills critical to health screening and health promotion, and to creating goodwill and international understanding in a region of the world that desperately needs it,” said Howard Hu, dean of the Dalla Lana School of Public Health.

Noyek’s appointment as an Officer of the Order of Canada recognizes his work helping those with hearing loss and his contributions to peace promotion through health care partnerships in the Middle East. The University of Toronto alumnus and professor of global health at the Dalla Lana is internationally known for fostering academic and scientific exchanges, and for building a network of peaceful professional cooperation and knowledge-sharing between institutions in Jordan, Israel, Egypt, Palestine, Qatar, Spain, Thailand, Turkey and other countries.

Also named an Officer of the Order of Canada was U of T music professor, Joe Macerollo, described by Don McLean, dean of the Faculty of Music, as an artist “synonymous with international classical accordion stardom-- and this from the country that also produced ‘Polka King’ Walter Ostanek!”

McLean said when he visited the renowned Rimsky-Korsakov music conservatory in Russia this past fall, he told the accordion ensemble that he was from U of T: “Ah, Joe Macerollo!" they exclaimed. 

Through the late 1950s and 60s, Macerollo “won every major international competition on an instrument that was only beginning to enter the academy as a serious field of study," McLean said.

"Indeed, it could be argued that he created the field," said McLean. "In the 70s and 80s, Joe built a reputation as the world's leading accordion virtuoso. He made the instrument an acceptable, even highly desirable, vehicle for contemporary music.”

A musical thinker and pedagogue as well as a great performer, Macerollo has literally written the book on accordion playing and has been responsible for commissioning and performing an entire repertoire for the instrument. He has been a tireless champion of Canadian music, composers, and ensembles—and has made U of T the go-to place for accordion study.”

Further U of T members named to the Order of Canada include:

OFFICERS

Alumnus William Breukelman is the chairman of Business Arts Inc. He is recognized for his contributions as an entrepreneur, as co-founder of IMAX and other pioneering imaging companies.

Alumnus and Professor Emeritus J. Edward Chamberlin, from the Department of English, is honoured for his scholarship in the humanities and his commitment to the advancement of indigenous issues. Chamberlin served on U of T’s Governing Council, the Jus Memorial Human Rights Prize Selection Committee, the Chancellor’s Award Selection Committee, the New College Alumni Association Executive and the Annual Fund Advisory Committee.

Alumna Denise Chong was named an officer for her contributions to Canadian culture as a writer, as well as her civic engagement in support of the arts and human rights.

Dr. Thomas J. Hudson, professor in the Departments of Molecular Genetics and Medical Biophysics is also President and Scientific Director of the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research. Hudson was recognized for his breakthroughs in genome science and for leadership in the field of cancer research.

John H. McArthur, a former member of the Rotman Canadian Business History Advisory Board, is Dean Emeritus at Harvard Business School. McArthur was named to the Order of Canada for his accomplishments as a leader in business education and for his ongoing engagement as an advisor in Canada’s public and private sectors.

Honorary degree recipient Deepa Mehta was recognized for her contributions to film as a screenwriter, director and producer.

Alumnus Dr. Dafydd Rhys Williams, a physician and retired astronaut, is honoured for his contributions to space exploration and for his leadership in enhancing astronaut health and welfare. Rhys Williams was also formerly a lecturer in the Department of Surgery.

MEMBERS

Alumna Elizabeth Baird was named a member of the Order of Canada for her contributions to the promotion of Canada’s diverse food heritage as an author and former food editor of Canadian Living magazine.

Alumnus David R. Beatty is the Conway Director of the Clarkson Centre for Business Ethics & Board Effectiveness at the Rotman School of Management. Beatty is recognized for his contributions to the development and promotion of corporate governance and ethics standards. He has also served on Rotman’s Dean’s Advisory Council.

Alumnus and honorary degree recipient N. Murray Edwards is recognized for his contributions as an entrepreneur, co-founder and chair of Canadian Natural Resources and as a philanthropist.

Alumna and Professor Emerita Alison Prentice was made a member of the Order of Canada for her pioneering contributions as a scholar advancing the field of women’s history and the history of education.

Alumna Anne Sado, formerly of the Engineering Deans’ Advisory Board, the Engineering Campaign Cabinet, and the OISE/UT Advisory Board, is President of George Brown College. Sado is honoured for her leadership in post-secondary education as a college administrator and for her extensive community engagement.

Alumna Jodi White, currently a Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs and Arthur Kroeger College of Public Affairs at Carleton University, is recognized for her contributions to Canadian public policy and for her commitment to the voluntary sector.

Alumnus William J. Young is made a member of the Order of Canada for his contributions to Canadian society and for his innovative achievements as a social entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is President of Social Capital Partners.