McGill confers honorary degrees on Alzheimer’s researcher and Montreal business leaders

McGill University conferred degrees today upon some 900 students from its Faculty of Education and Desautels Faculty of Management and awarded honorary degrees to Carl W. Cotman, Albert D. Bensadoun and Paul Desmarais Jr., in recognition of their outstanding contributions to their fields.

Carl W. Cotman, Doctor of Science, honoris causa

A professor of Neurology, Neurobiology & Behaviour, and Biomedical Engineering at the University of California, Irvine, Carl W. Cotman is also the founding director of its Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders Institute and is director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. He is recognized internationally for his landmark studies into the understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and other age-related cognitive disorders.

Albert D. Bensadoun, LLD - Doctor of Laws, honoris causa

Albert Bensadoun is the founder of the ALDO Group, a multinational retailer of shoes and accessories. Under Mr. Bensadoun’s leadership, the company has grown to include more than 1,000 shoe stores in 65 countries and 160 accessories stores in 19 countries. A remarkable philanthropist, he has contributed to many important causes including leading an active community campaign against AIDS and contributing more than $10 million to the cause.

Paul Desmarais Jr., Doctor of Laws, honoris causa

Paul Desmarais Jr. is the chair and co-chief executive officer of Power Corporation and co-chair of Power Financial. A proven business leader and well-known philanthropist, Mr. Desmarais is committed to helping the less fortunate through his involvement with community organizations in the areas of education, health care, culture and social causes.

McGill’s Convocation ceremonies can be followed live at: http://bcooltv.mcgill.ca/ConvocationLive/