Above photo: At left: OCAD U President Emerita Dr. Sara Diamond. At right: The Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada. Photo Credit MCpl Anis Assari, Rideau Hall © OSGG, 2022
Congratulations to President Emerita Sara Diamond who was invested as a Member of the Order of Canada at an in-person ceremony on October 20. An accomplished and prolific artist, researcher and administrator, Dr. Diamond’s revolutionary work bridges the fields of art, design, science and technology.
From the accompanying citation, Dr. Diamond is “renowned for her role as president and vice-chancellor of Ontario College of Art and Design University (OCAD U), and in her previous capacity at The Banff Centre. Under her visionary direction, she positioned OCAD U as an eminent leader in innovative teaching and research, one that fosters opportunities for Indigenous education and collaborative partnerships.” Dr. Diamond was president and vice-chancellor of OCAD U for 15 years, stepping down from the role in June 2020. The announcement of her appointment to the Order of Canada was made in June 2019.
Dr. Diamond holds a PhD in Computing, Information Technology and Engineering from the University of East London; a Master’s degree in Digital Media Theory from the University of Arts London; and a BA in History and Communications from Simon Fraser University. While serving as Artistic Director of Media and Visual Art and Director of Research at The Banff Centre, she created and led the Banff New Media Institute to help incubate and support many of Canada’s leading new media companies.
She is an appointee of the Order of Ontario and the Royal Canadian Society of Artists. In October 2020, she received an honorary degree from Simon Fraser University.
The Order of Canada is one of Canada’s highest civilian honours. Created in 1967, the Order of Canada recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. Close to 7,000 people from all sectors of society have been invested into the Order.