Add another name to the list of Brock’s Order of Canada recipients

On Dec. 16, family, friends and colleagues gathered in the Pond Inlet to celebrate and honour Dorothy Griffiths — a Professor in Child and Youth Studies and Applied Disabilities Studies — Brock University's most recent recipient of the Order of Canada.

The reception was thrown by the Dean of Social Sciences, Thomas Dunk, and his faculty. Colleagues and members of the Brock community praised Griffiths, highlighting some of her accomplishments both as an academic and during her career in the health care industry.

"I don't think anyone could imagine that this was ever going to happen to them, it's beyond words," said Griffiths. "It's an award that my colleagues have nominated me for and so the nomination itself is an enormous honour. To think that people thought my work somehow deserved this kind of credit, and then for the [Advisory Council] to confirm it was just amazing. It's unbelievable actually."

Griffiths was accepted into the Order on June 30, 2011. The Order of Canada was first introduced in July 1967, coinciding with the country's centennial celebrations as an honour to recognize distinguished service by Canadians who have made a major difference to their country. Griffiths is the fourth member of the Brock community to be recognized, joining James Gibson, Allan Earp and Kenneth Kernaghan.

The Order of Canada Investiture Ceremony was held on Nov. 4 at Rideau Hall. New recipients of the Order gather at this ceremony to accept their award from His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnson, the Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada.

"There were so many other individuals," said Griffiths. "They say it's humbling to receive this type of award, but it truly is because I was there with amazing people from all over Canada, who had done so much unique work within the arts, or medicine, or social services and in so many other areas where people have made such a significant difference. To be among them was truly, truly humbling."

Griffiths is recognized for her years of work improving the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities. She was also a driving force behind the formation of Brock's Centre for Applied Disabilities Studies. Even after more than 30 years in her field, Griffiths said she still finds inspiration from her time spent at Brock as an undergraduate.

"I think my inspiration actually came from one of the Professors here at Brock, which was Dr. Nancy Johnson," said Griffiths. "When I was an undergraduate here at Brock she was working with children with learning disabilities. She was such an inspiration to many of us because she truly was a leader in her field in terms of how she motivated us to look at children in a unique way to see how we could assist each and every child, regardless of their challenge. So, that's what I did, one person at a time is continued what Nancy taught us to do."

Griffiths said the award truly is an honour, and that she "couldn't think of anything more enriching for a proud Canadian" but in spite of that, Griffiths still plans to keep moving forward.

"The reality of it is, it's a wonderful award, but I will continue; the world goes on as a Professor in exactly the same way," she said. "However, I will hold in my heart a very wonderful place of this honour that will always be carried with me, but the reality is I will continue to do my work as a Professor the same as I always did."