Long-standing educator and politician Rick Bartolucci and Stratford Festival artistic director Antoni Cimolino will receive an honorary doctorate at Laurentian University’s fall convocation ceremonies on October 29, 2016.
“Whether on the political stage or the theatre stage this fall’s honorary doctorates have demonstrated that Arts graduates can go far,” said Chancellor Steve Paikin. “Arts education provides foundational knowledge and transferrable skills that can open a wide array of career paths if you are willing to think outside the box and be open to new unexpected opportunities.”
Antoni Cimolino
Antoni Cimolino will have a doctorate of letters conferred upon him at the 10:00 a.m. ceremony.
Mr. Cimolino is the artistic director for the Stratford Festival and director of the 2016 critically-acclaimed productions of Macbeth and The Hypochondriac.
Born and raised in Sudbury, Mr. Cimolino credits his first love for the theatre to his teachers at St. Charles College and Marymount College.
A respected artist and an influential leader in the global theatrical community, Mr. Cimolino began his Stratford career in 1988 as an actor, and began to direct for the Stratford Festival in the mid-1990s, winning acclaim for numerous productions.
Mr. Cimolino is passionate about enriching the lives of others through the education and practice of the arts. His dedication to this cause led him to spearhead the Festival’s involvement in a joint project with CUSO, Canada’s international volunteer co-operation agency, to establish a performing arts and educational centre in the City of Suchitoto, El Savador.
Rick Bartolucci
Rick Bartolucci will have a doctorate of laws conferred upon him at the 2:30 p.m. ceremony.
Mr. Bartolucci was born in Sudbury and earned a Laurentian University Bachelor of Arts degree in 1973. He worked as a teacher and school principal for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board for 30 years before entering public office as a Sudbury city councillor from 1979 to 1982 and again from 1985 to 1991.
Mr. Bartolucci proceeded to win five provincial elections and served as member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1995 to 2014, representing Sudbury for 19 years.
During those 19 years he held three Ministerial portfolios and served as Chair of Cabinet. Mr. Bartolucci’s tireless advocacy for funding was instrumental in the launch of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, the McEwen School of Architecture, the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation and the Vale Living with Lakes Centre.
“We are proud to recognize two outstanding Sudburians who have the vision, ambition, and grit to take on leadership roles that improve our lives and enrich our communities,” said Laurentian University President and Vice-Chancellor Dominic Giroux. “We are proud to honour them as distinguished members of our university community.”
Both ceremonies will take place in the Auditorium of the H. J. Fraser Building. Media interviews can be arranged in advance of the ceremonies.
Convocation ceremonies will be live streamed and available for media who have COMREX and Dejero capacity.