Lady Violet Aitken succeeded her husband, Sir Max Aitken, as Chancellor of UNB in 1982, when he became seriously ill. She was the first, and to date, only woman to hold this prestigious position. She remained as Chancellor for ten years, continuing the Aitken family's long association with the university (Sir Max was Chancellor from 1966-1982, and his father, Lord Beaverbrook, served in this same capacity from 1947-1964).
Lady Violet was awarded an honorary degree in 1990. At the end of her term in 1992, the university conferred the honorary status Chancellor Emerita upon her as "an indication of its respect for her and an expression of its appreciation for the distinguished manner in which she and the Aitken family served UNB."
Source(s):
- UA Case 138; Section 2.
- [UNB Honorary Degrees Database]