Community leader and university chancellor, Dr. Bela Ravi, has been awarded an honorary doctorate from Huntington University.
The Honorary Doctorate of Sacred Letters is among one of the highest honours for achievement bestowed by the institution and was conferred upon Ravi at the June 27 convocation ceremony, held at the Caruso Club. The ceremony was conducted by Mary-Liz Warwick, chair of the Huntington University Board of Regents, and Dr. Kevin McCormick, president and cice-chancellor of Huntington University, as members of Ravi’s family and numerous high-profile Sudburians, including Mayor Brian Bigger, MP Marc Serré and Gerry and Geoffrey Lougheed.
A member of the Greater Sudbury community since she immigrated here from India in 1973, Ravi serves as president of the Sudbury Multicultural & Folk Arts Association and sits as a board member for such organizations as the Local Immigration Partnership and the India-Canada Association.
She is also a member of the City of Greater Sudbury’s Senior Advisory Pane, past co-chair of the Institute of Canadian Citizenship, past fundraising committee member for Elgin Street Mission, and a past board member of the Ontario Arts Council and the YMCA Northeastern Ontario-Fund Development Committee.
She has involved herself in many educational leadership roles over the years, including as a former member of the Laurentian University Board of Governors, and as a supporter of the Rainbow Board through her role on the MacLeod Public School Parent Council and in raising funds to establish the Joan Mantle Music Trust.
For her dedicated community service, Dr. Ravi has been awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Hall of Fame Community Builders Award of Excellence, and the Paul Harris Fellowship, just to name a few.
“I am extremely proud and humbled to accept this Honorary Doctorate of Sacred Letters from Huntington University, an institution I take immense pride in being affiliated with as chancellor,” said Ravi. “I would like to sincerely thank the board of regents for this recognition, as well as Dr. Kevin McCormick for his inspiring and skillful leadership of Huntington University. It’s exciting for me to be a part of this journey with Huntington University, and I look forward to seeing where it leads us.”
In a press release, Warwick, chair of the Huntington University board of regents, noted Ravi’s contributions over the last two years.
“At this point in our history, Huntington University is in a transformative phase and Dr. Bela Ravi’s unwavering advocacy for our institution has inspired meaningful collaborations that will set the stage for new initiatives and opportunities for Huntington in the coming months,” she said.
Dr. Kevin McCormick, President and Vice-Chancellor of Huntington University, said Ravi is one of Greater Sudbury’s most influential and highly respected community leaders.
“For decades her name has been synonymous with philanthropy, community service, leadership, and education, which has earned her many distinguished accolades and awards at the local and national levels,” he said. “Dr. Bela Ravi in her role of Chancellor has prioritized higher education in northern Ontario, and has been steadfast in her efforts to ensure the future prosperity of Huntington.”
