Bruce S. C. Oland

Doctor of Letters

Mr. Bruce S.C. Oland, the former president of Oland and Son Ltd., will be recognized by Saint Mary's with a Doctor of Commerce (Honoris Causa). He will be honoured for a lifetime of achievement in business, service in the Canadian navy and armed forces and philanthropic work.

Mr. Oland's received his early education at Kings College in Windsor, Nova Scotia and later attended Beaumont College, Old Windsor, Berkshire, in England. After graduation, he joined his family's brewing company. From its beginnings in 1867, Oland Breweries was one of the Maritimes' most firmly established breweries. Mr. Oland would later become President of Oland & Son Ltd in 1964 and Oland Breweries Ltd. seven years later. His involvement in business ventures continues today. He is currently President of Lindwood Holdings Ltd., Culverwell Holdings Ltd, Oland Investments Ltd. and a director of Maritime Paper Ltd. He has been Honourary Consul General of Japan at Halifax, member and Chair of the Board of Governors and Nova Scotia Division Canadian Corps of Commissionaires.

Mr. Oland, a former commodore in the Royal Canadian Navy Reserve, has an ongoing interest in the Canadian Armed Forces. He was actively involved in the Militia and Royal Canadian Naval Reserve from 1933 to 1971. At the outbreak of hostilities in 1939, he was promoted to Captain and served with the Royal Canadian Artillery during the entirety of World War Two.

After the war, he continued to rise through the ranks of the Militia and Royal Canadian Naval Reserve. In 1970, Commodore Oland was appointed the Naval Reserve Advisor to the Commander, Maritime Command. Mr. Oland has been very active in a number of charitable and community activities such as the Nova Scotia Association for Community Living, the Halifax School for the Blind and the Canadian Association for the Mentally Retarded. Mr. Oland will receive his honourary doctorate on May 12 at the evening convocation ceremony.