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| Pierre-Yves Boucher with his wife Pierrette and son Eric. |
On June 21, 2006, the University of Ottawa celebrated the career and achievements of Pierre-Yves Boucher, who is retiring this summer as secretary of the University. A reception was held in Tabaret Hall to honour Mr. Boucher. Among those in attendance were staff, colleagues, friends, and family.
During his more than 50 years with the University, Pierre-Yves Boucher has remained an integral contributor to its success. His valuable blend of leadership and approachability was praised by friends and colleagues.
He is recognized for his immediate connection to students, staff and colleagues; his ability to adapt in the face of enormous change over the years; and his tremendous vision for the University while maintaining a great sense of tradition.
“Pierre-Yves is highly respected by all those who have worked with him. He has always been there to provide well-balanced advice and counsel. With his retirement, we will not only be losing a brilliant legal mind, but an important figure who, as part of our institutional history, has remained committed to the University of Ottawa,” explained President Gilles Patry.
A native of Ottawa, Boucher’s commitment to the University can be traced back to 1954 when, as an outstanding student, he exemplified leadership skills and academic achievement as a gold medal winner and top student in common law.
Boucher is a three-time graduate from the University of Ottawa:earning a bachelor of arts (1962), an LLB (1965) and a graduate diploma in law (1966). He went on to become assistant to the vice-president (academic) in 1967; a position which he held until 1971, when he entered private practice as a partner in the Ottawa legal firm of Séguin, Landriault, Patenaude & Boucher. In 1975, he returned to the University as legal counsel until 1982. He was then appointed to the position of associate executive director and legal counsel, and later as executive vice-president and legal counsel of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada from 1982 to 1990. In 1990, Boucher was appointed to the position that he continues to hold today: secretary of the University. In his role for the past 16 years, he has overseen the secretarial and administrative services required for the operation of the Board, the Senate and their committees. During the reception, Boucher was presented with a work of art by noted Canadian artist and former uOttawa student, Manon Elder. The work was donated by the artist to the University. Boucher was deeply touched, expressing gratitude to all those in attendance. “We are all looking for happiness in our lives and indeed I have found it at the University,” he explained.
In commemoration of Boucher’s outstanding achievements, the University has created the Pierre-Yves Boucher Scholarship Fund, which has accumulated $52,000 to date. It will become an important endowment fund offering scholarships to deserving undergraduate students in perpetuity.
