L-R in back) BCIT President Don Wright, Acting Registrar Dawna Mackay, and Acting Vice President of Student Services Val Karpinsky. (Front) Tony Parsons with his dog Jack. BCIT Photographer Scott McAlpine.
Global Television anchor Tony Parsons is now "Doctor" Tony Parsons. Tony received his Honourary Doctorate from the British Columbia Institute of Technology on Thursday, at the Convocation Ceremony for BCIT Broadcast and Media Communications graduates.
As a veteran Vancouver news anchor, Mr. Tony Parsons began his career as a broadcast journalist in 1957. Nearly twenty years later, Mr. Parsons took a posting in Vancouver as West Coast correspondent for CTV National News. He enjoyed the challenge of reporting to the nation and appeared frequently on The National and Canada AM. When he was offered the six o’clock anchor assignment at Global BC he jumped at the opportunity and has occupied the anchor desk for 26 years, helping to make the "News Hour" the most-watched, English-language newscast in Canada, and second most-watched in North America. Mr. Parsons has been a long-time supporter of BCIT’s Broadcast and Media Communication programs and an inspiration to its students. He has participated as a member of the Broadcast Journalism Advisory Committee and has been instrumental in developing the careers of a number of BCIT students and graduates who have worked in the Global Television Newsroom. Mr. Parsons is a keen supporter of young people, dedicates much of his time to charity work with the Cancer Society, Variety Club, Crossroads Hospice, various charity golf tournaments, and the Miracle Network Telethons. Mr. Parsons has exhibited genuine achievement not only in the field of broadcasting but in philanthropy as well.
Tony's 50+ year broadcast career and his contributions to new people moving into the industry over the years merited this recognition. Tony has been a guest lecturer at BCIT over many years, and has served on the Broadcast Journalism Program's advisory committee.
Congratulations Doctor Tony Parsons !
thanks to Brian Antonson brian_antonson@bcit.ca Associate Dean Broadcast and Media Communications British Columbia Institute of Technology BCIT website: http://www.bcit.ca/
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tighthead
June 24, 2008, 1:41am
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How can an institution grant honourary doctorates when it doesn't even grant doctorates?
This whole honourary degree thing has been watered down.
British Prime Minister Winston Churchill (second from left) and U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (receiving his hood) were given McGill honorary degrees in the spring of 1944
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Tony is a nice guy, down to earth and a gentleman. He certianly has made an impact in Canadian TV. And now he can write us perscriptions. What a guy!!! Congrats!!!
Tony is a nice guy, down to earth and a gentleman. He certianly has made an impact in Canadian TV. ... Congrats!!!
Having a had a chance to interview Tony as television news headed in some new directions back in the 70's (it became more of an 'entertainment' package {poor choice of words .. but can't think of anything else} rather than just blood and guts facts) .. I agree with Zuben and Dudley. It is good to see Tony get some sort of recognition after he helped to make the 6 o'clock news what it has evolved into today; -- a place to sit and eat dinner and gather the facts of the day .. and chew on all of it at the same time.
[quote=882]How can an institution grant honourary doctorates when it doesn't even grant doctorates?
Actually, I believe BCIT became a degree-granting institution quite some time ago. I'm sure it's at least 10 years. But what does it really matter...it's the recognition of his place in the industry. They could have given him an honorary diploma of technology, or made him an honorary instructor of communications.
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