Ken Kernaghan, left, is an adjunct professor of Political Science who received the Order of Canada in 2010. He stopped by to congratulate Dorothy Griffiths, Brock's newest recipient.

It was party time in Pond Inlet on Dec. 16 as Dorothy Griffiths — Brock’s newest Order of Canada recipient — was joined by 70 family, friends and colleagues at an afternoon reception thrown by Social Sciences Dean Tom Dunk and his faculty.

With the Order of Canada ribbon pinned to her lapel, the researcher and professor in Child and Youth Studies and Applied Disabilities Studies smiled quietly as speaker after speaker praised the commitment and dedication of a career spent helping people with intellectual disabilities and mental health issues.

The event, emceed by Dunk, heard remarks from Vice-President of Research Gary Libben; Child and Youth Studies department chair Tom O’Neill; Welland MP Malcolm Allen; St. Catharines MPP Jim Bradley; Associate Dean of Undergraduate Affairs June Corman; and Alumni Association President Chris Capredopni.

Libben made reference to the lengthy list of publications, awards and accomplishments Griffiths has had both as an academic and during her career in the health care industry.

“Regardless of what sphere of her career you look at, the scope of Dorothy’s achievements is awe-inspiring,” he said.

Libben also read out a letter from University President Jack Lightstone, who said the Brock community was “very proud and thrilled” over Griffiths’ selection or the Order of Canada.

“We are especially happy because of why you received this special honour,” wrote Lightstone. “In our busy world, it is a very special person who makes it their priority to protect and advance the rights and dignity of those who are often unable to do so for themselves.”

When her turn came, Griffiths thanked her fellow faculty members for what she said was their enormous help to her career.

“I’ve just tried to do my job the best way I knew how,” she said. “Winning the Order has been a humbling experience,” and “I would not be here were it not for the work and help of my colleagues.”

From left to right, faculty members from Child and Youth Studies: Shannon Moore, chair Tom O'Neill, Voula Marinos, Richard Mitchell, Tricia Vause, Dorothy Griffiths, Zopito Marini, Frances Owen, Nancy Johnston (adjunct professor and department founder), Donato Tarulli, Ayda Tekok-Kilic and John McNamara.