November 22, 2006
UNB Fredericton News Release: D903
Natalie Montgomery, Communication Officer (506) 453-4990

At a ceremony held on Nov. 17, the faculty of law at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton honoured Frank J. McKenna with the Ilsa Greenblatt-Shore Distinguished Graduate Award.

The award was presented to Dr. McKenna by classmate and friend J. Ernest Drapeau, chief justice of the New Brunswick Court of Appeal. Guests from the legal, business and government communities, as well as UNB law students and faculty members turned out for the event.

UNB President John McLaughlin praised Dr. McKenna for his outstanding commitment to the service of the people of New Brunswick.

The Ilsa Greenblatt-Shore Distinguished Graduate Award is given to UNB law school graduates who have made significant contributions to public service, including service to the law school, and who have achieved recognition in their chosen field.

Dr. McKenna graduated from UNB’s faculty of law in 1974 and has gone on to excel in the fields of law, politics, government and business. Highlights of his career include serving as premier of New Brunswick from 1987 to 1997; serving as the Canadian Ambassador to the United States of America from 2005 to 2006; and playing leading roles in numerous provincial, national and international companies. Dr. McKenna is currently the deputy chair of TD Bank Financial Group.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Dr. McKenna has devoted significant time and effort to volunteering with numerous community organizations. He was a past national head of Career Edge; a member of the fund raising committee for the National Ballet School; and has been involved with a number of organizations including the Canadian Business Hall of Fame, National Adult Literacy Database, New Brunswick Foundation for the Arts and the C.D. Howe Institute, as well as the capital campaign of the University of New Brunswick.

In addition to Dr. McKenna, the following graduates have received the Distinguished Graduate Award: 1998 - Ilsa Greenblatt-Shore (in memoriam) 1999 - Franklin O. Leger, Q.C. 2000 - J. Fernand Landry, Q.C. (in memoriam) 2001 - Donald M. Gillis, Q.C. 2004 - His Honour Judge Graydon Nicholas

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