2009 Alumnus of the Year
The Honourable Dr. Edward Roberts
C.M., O.N.L., Q.C.LLD'03, MA'06
The Lifetime Achievement award recognizes an individual’s contribution to and distinction in their chosen professional fields. It honours individuals who inspire others by displaying exceptional human values.
It is not possible to exaggerate the personal achievements and the immense impact that the Honorable Edward Roberts, CM, ONL, QC, had on the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
During more than 45 years of legal and public service, Mr. Roberts has occupied some of the most distinguished offices in the land. As a lawyer, he made his mark at courts of every level from the Provincial Court of Newfoundland and Labrador to the Supreme Court of Canada. As a legislator and a government minister whose career spanned over 23 years, he served under Newfoundland and Labrador’s first premier Joey Smallwood, was attorney general in Clyde Wells’ administration, and ended his legislative career under the premiership of Brian Tobin. His passion for the province and for his former constituencies, especially in Labrador, is unrivaled.
These achievements alone would make Mr. Roberts a strong contender for the Alumnus of the Year Award, but he has done so much more.
As the Chair of the Board of Regents of Memorial University of Newfoundland, Mr. Roberts has been an integral part of the visionary team that brought Memorial University international recognition for the quality of research and education. During his tenure as the chairman of the board from 1997 to 2002, he navigated rough financial waters with a steady hand and his eyes firmly focused on the horizon where he saw a bright future for the university. Under his leadership, Memorial saw the expansion of both the St. John’s and Sir Wilfred Grenfell campus, as well as a renewed commitment to the Harlow campus.
Mr. Roberts’ chairmanship ended in 2002 with his appointment as Lieutenant Governor. A passionate historian who has collected history books on Newfoundland for over 50 years, the Honorable Edward Roberts cherished the opportunity to share his immense knowledge and experience with people throughout the province and the country. He used his new position to share his love and pride in Newfoundland and Labrador and the achievements of its people. He ‘opened up’ Government House to the public and offered his leadership and patronage to many organizations around the province including the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, the Royal Newfoundland Regiment and the Church Lads’ Brigade.
During that time, Mr. Roberts took his lifelong passion for history to a new level, completing an MA in history at Memorial University of Newfoundland. He graduated in 2006 and was appointed a Fellow of the School of Graduate Studies as a mark of academic distinction. He also holds an honorary doctorate from Memorial University of Newfoundland.
Mr. Roberts’ passion and devotion to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador and to Memorial University of Newfoundland is recognized with the Alumni of the Year Award. This is the highest award that the university alumni can bestow on one of their own.