Text of news release from the Institute of Christian Studies
The Institute for Christian Studies is pleased to announce that Mr. Gerald Vandezande will be awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters at its next convocation, on October 20, 2006. This is the first honorary degree ever offered by ICS under its newly revised Province of Ontario degree granting legislation.
Gerald has long supported the mission of the Institute for Christian Studies to offer Christian graduate education and played a key role in helping ICS obtain the right to offer provincially accredited graduate degrees.
For thirty-five years until his retirement in 1998, Gerald worked with Citizens for Public Justice to promote justice in Canada and during that time had significant impact on social legislation and public policy debates. Deeply motivated by his Christian faith, Gerald continues to advocate for policy alternatives on issues such as aboriginal and refugee rights, educational justice, poverty, the environment, and national unity. Gerald has written many articles and books, the most recent being Justice, Not Just Us: Faith Perspectives and National Priorities.
Gerald was invested into the Order of Canada by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada, on October 17, 2001. The citation called him a “powerful and respected voice for social justice.” Gerald was awarded the 2005 Arthur Kroeger College Award in Ethics in Public Affairs on February 9, 2005.
Gerald is a member of the Grace Christian Reformed Church in Scarborough. He and his wife, Wynne, live in Agincourt, Ontario. Wynne is a retired professional Christian social worker. They have two daughters and five grandchildren.
