A special honour

Dalhousie professor Mary Anne White. (Danny Abriel Photo)

McMaster University is bestowing an honorary degree on Dalhousie scientist Mary Anne White.

A McMaster alumna, Dr. White will receive the honorary degree, Doctor of Science, during convocation ceremonies for the Faculty of Science at McMaster, located in Hamilton, Ont. Dr. White graduated from McMaster with a PhD in chemistry in 1979.

At Dalhousie, she is a University Research Professor and Director of the Institute for Research in Materials. Her research focuses explores the heat-conducting properties of materials. A professor of chemistry and physics, she teaches a third-year class on materials science (CHEM/PHYC 3303) and a graduate level class on advanced materials science.

“The letter from the president arrived in the mail and here I was thinking he was going to ask for money,” says Dr. White, who first got word of the honour over Christmas holidays. “I was totally floored… my kids (David and Alice) were there and it was so nice to share the news with them.”

Bruce D. Gaulin, a professor of physics at McMaster, is one of Dr. White’s nominators. He says Dr. White stands out for the quality of her research and her efforts to make science better understood by all kinds of people.

“I’ve caught some of her research seminars which have been aimed at different audiences,” says Dr. Gaulin. “She is truly an outstanding lecturer.”

Professor emeritus Ian Spenser adds Dalhousie University is fortunate to have Dr. White on faculty.

“It is my view that universities should recognize in a meaningful way those of their alumni who have distinguished themselves in the course of their careers. Mary Anne certainly qualifies and that is why I nominated her,” says Dr. Spenser, who has followed her career since she was a graduate student.

Last fall, the Royal Society of Canada awarded Dr. White the McNeil Medal for her efforts to promote and communicate science. A fellow McNeil Medal winner, science journalist Bob MacDonald will also receive a Doctor of Science from McMaster at the same ceremony on Tuesday, June 10 and will address the graduates.