Cape Breton University is proud to celebrate two of our honorary degree recipients who received the Order of Nova Scotia today.
Mr. John Bragg and Ms. Clotilda Adessa Coward Douglas Yakimchuk were inducted into the Order of Nova Scotia at a ceremony at Province house on November 6th, 2018.
Born in Springhill, NS, Dr. Bragg received a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a Bachelor of Education degree from Mount Allison University.
Dr. Bragg founded Oxford Frozen Foods in 1968 and since then, the family business has grown to be much more than the world's largest provider of wild blueberries.
He founded Bragg Communications in 1970, which now carries the well-known Eastlink brand. Eastlink has been recognized as one of Canada's "50 Best Managed Companies" for seven years running, and the Bragg Group was named Canada's Family Enterprise of the Year for 2009.
Currently, Dr. Bragg is a Director with TD Bank Group and Maple Leaf Foods Inc., where he lends his leadership, unparalleled business expertise and strong work ethic. He is a Canadian business icon and has received many accolades for his outstanding achievements.
Clotilda Yakimchuk was born and raised in Whitney Pier, Nova Scotia. In 1954, she became the first Black graduate of the Nova Scotia Hospital School of Nursing. She also received a post graduate midwifery diploma from Colony Hospital, Grenada, West Indies; a post graduate psychiatric nursing certificate from the Nova Scotia Hospital and a diploma in adult education from St.FX University.
Commitment to the nursing profession has always been evident in Ms. Yakimchuk. Her passion and commitment were exemplified when she served as President of the Registered Nurses' Association of Nova Scotia (now known as The College of Registered Nurses of Nova Scotia). Notably, she is this organization's only elected Black president in 100 years of the organization history to-date. She is a proponent of education and lifelong learning and was an exceptional role model to the many nurses who followed in her path. In addition to her work as President, she served on numerous national, provincial and local committees and working groups.
