Royal Military College stands by decision to give Don Cherry honorary degree
If the Professor wants to stand on priciple - Then resign.
Canada
Canada’s Royal Military College defended its decision Friday to award an honorary degree later this month to colourful hockey commentator Don Cherry despite protest from at least one faculty member who said the choice sends the wrong message.
“People are entitled to their opinions obviously, but this is a decision that the [school] senate makes,” said Capt. Cynthia Kent, spokeswoman for the Kingston, Ont., college.
“The senate stands by its decision to award this honorary degree to Mr. Cherry.”
According to media reports, RMC French professor Catherine Lord sent an open letter to local media this week decrying the decision.
“On many occasions he publicly expressed his contempt for many groups of the Canadian population, notably for the French-speaking Canadians, for the [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered] community and for the immigrants,” said Lord’s letter to the Kingston Whig-Standard newspaper.
“What message will RMC send, in celebrating Don Cherry, to the students coming from these groups? And what will the Canadian people remember from RMC, as a serious and prestigious institution?”
Lord was could not be reached at home and the office Friday despite numerous calls.
“Don Cherry was chosen because of his support for Canadian Forces and their families,” Kent said. “He’s well known to go to personnel overseas, let them feel appreciated and express his appreciation for their sacrifices.”
If the Professor wants to stand on priciple - Then resign.
Canada
Canada’s Royal Military College defended its decision Friday to award an honorary degree later this month to colourful hockey commentator Don Cherry despite protest from at least one faculty member who said the choice sends the wrong message.
“People are entitled to their opinions obviously, but this is a decision that the [school] senate makes,” said Capt. Cynthia Kent, spokeswoman for the Kingston, Ont., college.
“The senate stands by its decision to award this honorary degree to Mr. Cherry.”
According to media reports, RMC French professor Catherine Lord sent an open letter to local media this week decrying the decision.
“On many occasions he publicly expressed his contempt for many groups of the Canadian population, notably for the French-speaking Canadians, for the [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered] community and for the immigrants,” said Lord’s letter to the Kingston Whig-Standard newspaper.
“What message will RMC send, in celebrating Don Cherry, to the students coming from these groups? And what will the Canadian people remember from RMC, as a serious and prestigious institution?”
Lord was could not be reached at home and the office Friday despite numerous calls.
“Don Cherry was chosen because of his support for Canadian Forces and their families,” Kent said. “He’s well known to go to personnel overseas, let them feel appreciated and express his appreciation for their sacrifices.”
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