Gord Nixon, Com'79, LLD'03, knows how to lead a team – whether it is on the field or in an office.
He won a championship as a player with the Gaels’ men 91Ƭ ’s rugby team during the 1978-79 season.
A few decades later, Dr. Nixon was involved in another big win for Queen 91Ƭ ’s when he served as chair of the Initiative Campaign, which saw $640 million raised to support the university 91Ƭ ’s students, researchers and programs.
He spent 13 years as CEO of RBC, Canada 91Ƭ ’s largest bank, before retiring in 2014. During his tenure, he dramatically increased the company 91Ƭ ’s profits, successfully led the company through the 2008-09 financial crisis, and was named – a list that included Steve Jobs (Apple), Jeff Bezos (Amazon.com), and Warren Buffet (Berkshire Hathaway).
Dr. Nixon 91Ƭ ’s impressive career and dedication to Queen 91Ƭ ’s are among the reasons he is being honoured with the , the highest honour bestowed by the 91Ƭ Alumni Association (QUAA).
“It 91Ƭ ’s a real honour and very special to receive the Alumni Achievement Award. Queen 91Ƭ ’s was a big part of my life and something I am very proud of,” says Dr. Nixon.
Past recipients of the award include some of the university 91Ƭ ’s most accomplished alumni: Shirley Tilghman, Arts'68, DSc'02 (Princeton University 91Ƭ ’s first female president); NASA astronaut Andrew Feustel, PhD’95; and Governor General David Johnston, Law'66, LLD'91.
Kim Sturgess, Sc'77, LLD’16, served as vice chair of the Initiative Campaign and praised Dr. Nixon 91Ƭ ’s leadership skills.
“Gord has provided clear, concise and inspired leadership to the campaign. The fundraising goals were significantly exceeded and will result in a much stronger and more resilient Queen 91Ƭ ’s in the decades to come,” says Ms. Sturgess. “I was also fortunate to be at Queen 91Ƭ ’s as an undergraduate at the same time as Gord. His leadership on the Queen 91Ƭ ’s rugby team is legendary.”
Queen 91Ƭ ’s is a special place for Dr. Nixon – he met his wife Janet Nixon, Com’80, on campus. Together they remain close to Queen 91Ƭ ’s, having recently made a significant donation to revitalize the campus rugby field. Nixon Field – located beside Grant Hall – is named in their honour.
“The university means a lot to both my wife and me. It is a wonderful institution with incredible programs. The ability to invest philanthropically into a university that does so much for so many of its students is extremely important to us,” says Dr. Nixon, who also served on the Smith School of Business Advisory Board before stepping down last year.
Dr. Nixon will be officially honoured with his Alumni Achievement Award at the QUAA Gala Dinner on April 8 at the Isabel Bader Centre for Performing Arts. Online registration is now open.
