Queen's University honors Janina
Queen's University's Convocation Hall
In a moving ceremony filled with emotion as well as pomp and circumstance, Janina received an honorary doctorate from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. Chancellor David Dodge, former Governor of the Bank of Canada, bestowed upon her the title of “Doctor of Laws” and she was hooded by her illustrious pianist colleague and friend, Dr. Ireneus Zuk. Principal Daniel Woolf gave the laudatory speech extolling Janina’s achievements both personal and professional.
And then Janina herself took to the podium. Speaking from the heart she urged the graduating class to follow their dreams, to work hard, but most importantly to never forget those less fortunate than themselves.
The night before, she performed an enthusiastically received benefit all-Chopin recital for the Queen’s University School of Music.
Janina receiving her diploma
It is a sweet irony that this doctorate is a “Doctorate of Laws”. Right before she was discovered by Arthur Rubinstein at the inaugural competition in his name in 1974, Janina had actually been accepted to Law School at the University of Montreal. But then her life changed drastically after her meeting with the legendary old man. She finds it rather satisfying to receive a doctorate in a subject she abandoned so many years ago. It is already Janina’s second honorary doctorate. The first being from Acadia University in Nova Scotia