Church Point (NS), March 29, 2023- Université Sainte-Anne is proud to announce that it will award Bernard Voyer an honorary doctorate in leadership during the commencement ceremony to be held in the Marcel-R.-Comeau Sports Centre on Saturday, May 15, 2021.
Originally from Rimousky, Québec, Bernard Voyer is an adventurer, environmentalist and a humanist known for his quest for great challenges. A renowned explorer and mountaineer, Mr. Voyer has over 30 years of expeditions and adventures to his credit. Having reached the North Pole in 1994 and the South Pole in 1996, he completed his world tour in 2001 by climbing the highest peak on each continent, including Everest in 1999. He is one of the few modern explorers to have achieved this historic feat.
In 2002, he was recognized by the Governor General of Canada as one of the 50 greatest Canadians of the past 50 years. That same year, Canada Post issued a series of stamps celebrating mountains, and paid tribute to him. In 2003, he was decorated by the Prince of Nepal with the medallion given to every climber who had reached the top of Mount Everest. Also in 2003, Bernard Voyer was honoured by his hero, Sir Edmund Hillary, for his Adventure Grand Slam, recognizing his exceptional career as a polar explorer and mountain climber.
He is one of the new personalities to be included in the 2022 edition of the Le Robert Illustré dictionary.
An exceptional speaker, he has given more than 1,000 presentations around the world in French and English and has met with over 300,000 businesspeople.
He remains committed to causes that affect youth and nature, including climate change and the North. For example, he has partnered with the Canadian Rangers to organize large-scale expeditions for youth in northern communities, including Nunavik.
He is co-chair of the Order of Montréal and a member of the advisory committee for the Canadian Polar Medal and Honorary Consul for Nepal in Montreal. He has previously served as governor for the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, vice-chair of the Fondation Canadienne pour le dialogue des cultures, board member of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (Canada), ambassador for the Offices jeunesse internationaux du Québec (LOJIQ), honorary lieutenant-colonel of the Canadian Rangers (2CRPG) and board member of the Nature Conservancy of Canada-Quebec.
He has received many tributes for his outstanding career, including the titles of Officer of the Order of Canada, Knight of the Ordre National du Québec and Knight of the Legion of Honour in France, and has received four honorary doctorates and the medal of the Assemblée nationale du Québec and the Meritorious Service Medal (military division). In addition, the Royal Canadian Geographical Society awarded him its highest distinction, the prestigious Gold Medal.
In recognition of his exceptional career as an explorer, his unwavering dedication to youth and his exemplary contribution to the Canadian Francophonie, Université Sainte-Anne is proud to honour Mr. Voyer on May 13.
About Université Sainte-Anne
Université Sainte-Anne, the only French language post-secondary institution in Nova Scotia, offers university and college-level courses as well as a French immersion program and customized training in French as a second language. Recognized for its excellent programs as well as its unique and exceptional living environment, Sainte-Anne offers experiential learning opportunities that promote student engagement and success, and an atmosphere which encourages a culture of excellence in research and development. Solidly established in its community, Université Sainte-Anne is a partner of choice for all those who wish to strengthen the vitality of the regions surrounding its 5 campuses as well as all of Acadie throughout Nova Scotia.
For more information
Rachelle LeBlanc, Director of Communications and Marketing
Université Sainte-Anne
Tel.: 902-769-2114 Extension 7222
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