Honorary Degree Recipient: Bruce Cockburn

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Doctor of Music | Presented on June 14, 9:30 a.m.

Chancellor Mercier, President and Vice-Chancellor MacLatchy, faculty, graduates, guests, and co-workers at Laurier, on behalf of Martin Luther University College – the federated college that submitted this nomination for distinction – it is my great pleasure to present Bruce Cockburn for an honorary doctorate.

Many of us will have Bruce Cockburn memories – perhaps recalling the excitement of the first album, or CD we unwrapped, or perhaps remembering a concert that transported us, or maybe recollecting how a lyric from one of his poignant songs met us in our time of need. He has captured in song the spirit of Canada at its best and called for its renewal at its failures. Bruce Cockburn sings as he lives: with humility, courage, and concern for the flourishing of all creation. In so doing he sings Spirit into the room.

For over 40 years Bruce Cockburn has been an advocate for social justice, for the environment, for people indigenous to this land, and for those suffering the assaults of war, abuse, and disadvantage the world round. Like prophets of old he comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable. He has participated in humanitarian visits to locales in the midst of crises all around the world, partnering with organizations such as Oxfam, the Mennonite Central Committee, CUSO international, Mine Action Canada, War Child and World Vision. He has visited the Canadian Military in Afghanistan, rife with landmines, which he has campaigned tirelessly to eradicate following a visit to Mozambique. He is a global citizen who has engaged social, cultural, political, and environmental issues in order to make a difference in the world. Many of us have been moved by his music to become more than we are.

As a theologian, it would be remiss of me not to note that Bruce Cockburn is a theologian in his own right, in his own lyrical way. He is someone who knows well that the inner and outer life are not at odds with one another, but feed and sustain a wholeness, a holiness as the ego makes room for the source of inspiration, for Spirit. In his life’s work we see grace shining through the ordinary in songs extraordinary in their reach. We are so grateful for his service to the world and for his music and poetry that call us to authenticity.

Bruce Cockburn has written more than 400 songs on 38 albums over a career spanning more than 50 years, of which 23 have received gold or platinum certification. His guitar playing, both acoustic and electric, has placed him in the company of the world’s top instrumentalists. He has sold more than nine-million albums worldwide, and has been honoured with 13 JUNO Awards, an induction into both the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, as well as the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award, and he has been made an Officer of the Order of Canada. We are delighted at his presence among us today, and to have his name among other recipients of honorary doctorates at Wilfrid Laurier University.

Madame Chancellor, I am instructed by the Senate of the university to request you to admit to the degree of Doctor of Music, honoris causa, Bruce Cockburn.