June 20, 2018
Seneca News
Seneca50Fest honours Bill Davis
Davis led creation of Ontario's college system
Former premier William G. Davis was honoured at Newnham Campus last week.
The star guest of Seneca50Fest celebrations on Friday, June 15, Davis received several tributes including the Order of Seneca, a campus street named after him and a Seneca 50th anniversary plane inscribed with his initials.
As the Minister of Education for nearly a decade during the 1960s and premier for 14 years, Davis said his crowning achievement was the creation of Ontario’s college system.
“As an individual who had some responsibility for this college system, I cannot thank those who made it work enough,” said Davis, looking out at the crowd. “What you have done for this college [Seneca] is very important for the people of Ontario, and quite frankly, the people of Canada.”
This tribute was a highlight of Seneca50Fest, which drew hundreds of employees and retirees to Newnham Campus for good food and warm weather.
Boasting 12 food and beverage trucks, live music, flower crown workshops, henna tattoo stations and more in Parking Lot 4, summer festival vibes ruled the on-campus celebration.
Special guests at the event also included TVO host Steve Paikin (who has penned a biography on Davis), as well as former Seneca presidents Roy McCutcheon and Steve Quinlan.
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