Marcel LeBrun and Madhu Verma to Receive Honorary Degrees at Spring and Summer Convocations
Social entrepreneur, philanthropist, and community builder Marcel LeBrun, and humanitarian, migrant advocate, and community organizer Madhu Verma will be receiving honorary degrees at St. Thomas University at its Spring and Summer Convocations.
“Each of these remarkable individuals have made a significant difference in the community – Marcel with the creation of his social enterprise 12 Neighbours and Madhu in establishing organizations dedicated to welcoming newcomers,” said Dr. Nauman Farooqi, President and Vice-Chancellor.
“We look forward to honouring Marcel at Spring Convocation and Madhu at our Summer Convocation.”
Spring Convocation will take place Tuesday, May 14 at 2 pm at the Grant-Harvey Centre. Summer Convocation will take place on Friday, July 5 at 1 pm at the Fredericton Playhouse.
Marcel LeBrun - Spring Convocation Honorary Degree Recipient
Marcel LeBrun is an inspirational tech executive, social entrepreneur, philanthropist, and community builder. Formerly the CEO of Radian6, Senior Vice-President at Salesforce.com and Venture Partner with Real Ventures, he and his wife Sheila now work to establish charities and projects that benefit people impacted by poverty and marginalization, as well as initiatives that benefit vulnerable youth through the LeBrun Family Foundation.
After his company, Radian6, was acquired by Salesforce.com, Marcel invested his own money into his new project, 12 Neighbours, a dignified, affordable tiny home community in Fredericton, providing fully independent homes as affordable rental units. 12 Neighbours provides supports, such as substance use recovery counselling and opportunities to improve health and education, as well as a social enterprise centre with training businesses designed to help people develop new skills and overcome employment barriers.
Two years ago, Marcel built the first tiny home in his backyard. His goal was to have 99 tiny homes in the community and is expected to complete all 99 by Spring Convocation. These homes are located on a 24-hectare plot of land in Fredericton and are all equipped with a full kitchen, a living room that doubles as a bedroom, and a full bathroom. They also all have a small deck and solar panels.
Madhu Verma – Summer Convocation Honorary Degree Recipient
Madhu Verma is a humanitarian, migrant advocate, and community organizer. Verma became a child refugee during the India-Pakistan partition in 1947. Her experiences gave her an intimate understanding of prejudice and sparked her passion advocacy. In 1962, Verma moved to Fredericton with her husband, recently deceased Dr. Ram Verma, a physics professor (UNB). Upon moving to Fredericton, the Vermas experienced racism and discrimination and felt isolated.
Verma would go on to establish the Asian Heritage Society of New Brunswick and the Multicultural Association of Fredericton. She is responsible for an official New Brunswick multicultural and human rights education policy and was a Canadian delegate at the United Nations World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance. She has presented briefs and discussion papers on issues relating to immigration and refugee policy, employment equity and foreign credentials, human rights, immigrant women, international arranged marriages, art and culture policy, the Multicultural Act, and multiculturalism education in schools. Her work has been recognized by multiple organizations and special awards.
Verma remains at the forefront of organizations like the Madhu Verma Migrant Justice Centre that refuse to allow the mistreatment of people who simply want to make a better life for themselves and families.