Former St. Thomas University student and decorated author, David Adams Richards was appointed to the Senate this past August.
While there, he will give a voice to his native land of New Brunswick and consider legislation before it becomes law.
“He will be a fine representative for a province that he has written about so movingly for more than four decades,” said Dawn Russell, St. Thomas University president and vice-chancellor.
Richards first attended St. Thomas in the early 1970s before going on to become an influential Canadian author, writing fiction, non-fiction work and screenplays.
He won several awards during his literary career including the Governor General’s Award for both fiction and non-fiction, and was a co-winner of the 2000 Giller prize.
St. Thomas was proud to offer him an honourary degree in 1990 and he has been an artist-in-residence here since 2011. While here, he has hosted several speeches and has been available as a guide and mentor to students.
“It is most impressive that he always found the time to listen and encourage young writers,”Russell said.
Now, Richards is moving onto Ottawa and bringing his east coast perspective with him. Russell is confident he will embody these values while holding a place in the Senate.
“He will be a fine representative for a province he has written about so movingly and deeply for more than four decades.”
