The Clarkson Laureateships were begun in 2005 to honour the public service of the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson as she was coming to the end of her very successful term as Canada’s 26th governor general and commander-in-chief. A committee was formed under the joint chairmanship of the Master of the college and Madam Clarkson, as well as the first four Laureates (then Junior Fellow Rahim Hirji, who started the student mentorship programme, the late alumnus Vincent del Buono, former Don of Hall and deputy director of Amnesty International, Continuing Senior Fellow Professor Emerita Ursula Franklin, and Quadrangler Christine Karcza). Since then, there have been two changes: After Mr. del Buono’s death, the committee chose Alexandra Sorin, the 2010 Laureate, to represent the Alumni on the committee; and Professor Franklin stepped down, citing her great age, and has yet to be replaced by a Senior Fellow laureate).
The committee members met on Friday, February 7th and were able to come to quick agreement on Dr. Malone, but had a very difficult task of choosing amongst seven outstanding nominations for Junior Fellows.
The Laureates will be honoured at a special High Table next Friday, February 22nd. In addition to the honour, each is given a monetary award of $500 to be donated to a cause of their own choosing which they will explain during a brief acceptance speech during the High Table dinner. The ceremony is very simple and modeled loosely on the Order of Canada ceremony held annually at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. Formal evening wear is encouraged (black tie, business suit or jacket, formal short or long dresses, or national dress). Since it is an evening to honour public service, the college encourages the wearing of medals and decorations for those who feel comfortable wearing them.
