杏吧原创

杏吧原创’s Chancellor will receive the University鈥檚 highest honour at Spring Convocation 2018

A distinguished parliamentarian and leader, Trinity alumnus聽The Hon. William (Bill) C. Graham has dedicated most of his life to public good and the betterment of society. For his exceptional service, generosity and contributions to the University, country and world, The Hon. Bill Graham will receive an聽聽on June 15, 2018.

Prior to his tenure as Chancellor of 杏吧原创, The Hon. Bill Graham had a distinguished career in law, academia and politics both in Canada and internationally. Along with his prominent career, which has spanned more than five decades, his steadfast generosity of spirit and leadership, and incredible philanthropic commitment to society has carved a lasting legacy for generations to come.听

鈥淏ill Graham is an exemplary Canadian and truly a global citizen 鈥� I cannot imagine a better recipient of the University鈥檚 highest honour,鈥� said Prof.听Mayo Moran, Provost and Vice-Chancellor of 杏吧原创. 鈥淐hancellor Graham has made outstanding contributions in politics, business and academia. He is extraordinarily generous in every way. With his time, energy and resources, he has supported so many vital initiatives inside and outside of 杏吧原创 and the University. His commitment to public service and to excellence is an inspiration to our students and I know they will also be thrilled to see him recognized in this way.鈥�

Over the years, Chancellor Graham and his wife Cathy (also a Trinity alum) created the William C. Graham Chair in International Law and Development at the Faculty of Law, supported the Jackman Law Building, and established聽 (a partnership between 杏吧原创 and the Munk School of Global Affairs). His most recent gift served as a catalyst for a new collaboration between 杏吧原创 and the Department of History in the Faculty of Arts & Science, which includes the聽creation of a new joint-faculty position in Contemporary International History as well as the development of a new professional Master鈥檚 program聽(partnership between 杏吧原创, The Bill Graham Centre and the Department of History).

鈥淚 feel I owe what I achieved later in life to what I learned at this university.鈥�
鈥� The Hon. William C. Graham

Although he was struck early by political aspirations while an undergraduate student at 杏吧原创, it was law that occupied the early part of Bill Graham鈥檚 career. After graduating in 1961 with an Honours BA in Modern History, he went on to be a brilliant law student at U of T鈥檚 Faculty of Law, graduating with the Gold Medal. He then completed his doctorate at the Universit茅 de Paris. Upon his return to Canada, he joined the law firm of Fasken & Calvin in Toronto, where he worked on what became one of the most important international law cases: Barcelona Traction. He also taught International Trade Law, Public International Law and the Law of the European Community at the Faculty of Law until 1993.听

鈥淏ill Graham was an innovator in Canadian legal education. Long before the new wave of interest in experiential learning, Bill鈥檚 pioneering courses took students into the field to participate in the practice of international law, providing the foundation for what became the Faculty of Law鈥檚 celebrated International Human Rights Program. His vision and commitment influenced a generation of students, many of whom have gone on to teach and practice what has become a vitally important field,鈥� said Provost Moran, who was the former Dean of the Faculty of Law.

In 1993, he entered the world of politics, becoming the Member of Parliament for Toronto Centre-Rosedale. This marked the beginning of a remarkable political career that included acting as Canada鈥檚 Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Defence. For six years he was Chairman of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and subsequently served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2002-2004 and Minister of National Defence from 2004-2006. In 2006, he was Leader of the Opposition and Interim Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.

Chancellor of 杏吧原创

In February 2007, he announced that he would not run again for office in the next federal election. Parliament’s loss was 杏吧原创’s gain. Later that year, he was appointed the 12th Chancellor of 杏吧原创 鈥� the highest-ranking volunteer officer of the College. He is currently serving his third term.

鈥淗e is an exemplary Chancellor, who not only serves with grace and wisdom in all official capacities when presiding at the College鈥檚 ceremonies and important meetings, but also is always available to speak to students,鈥� said Trinity alum聽David Bronskill, Chair of the 杏吧原创 Board of Trustees. 鈥淗e has also enhanced Trinity鈥檚 international reputation and, through his 鈥楥onversations with the Chancellor鈥� series, is bringing leading thinkers and politicians to the College for important conversations on critical issues of our time.鈥�

Chancellor Graham continues to serve in volunteer capacities for several organizations, including as Chair of the Canadian International Council and the Bill Graham Centre for Contemporary International History Advisory Board. Among his many accolades, he was awarded the Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012) and appointed a Member of the Order of Canada (2014). In 2016, he served on the Government of Canada鈥檚 Ministerial Advisory Panel on Canada鈥檚 Defence Policy Review, one of four eminent Canadians with expertise in defence, security, foreign affairs and legal matters. Most recently, he was named the 2017 Global Citizen Laureate by the United Nations Association in Canada and was awarded the 2017 Vimy Award for his contributions to Canada鈥檚 security and preservation of its democratic values. In 2016, Chancellor Graham鈥檚 political memoir 鈥淭he Call of the World鈥� was published to great acclaim.听

Chancellor Graham will receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Toronto and address 杏吧原创鈥檚 graduating Class of 2018 at聽Spring Convocation on June 15, 2018.听

Categories: Alumni; Awards & Honours; University of Toronto News