50th Reunion

Ronald Corneille
As some of you may recall, I started life in Switzerland and spent my childhood in France before coming to the United States. After graduation from Amherst I entered the business world, working first as a statistician with Time Inc. in NYC, and  then doing advertising and brand promotion for Procter & Gamblein Ohio. In 1951 I moved to Canada, completing my studies in theology, and in 1952 I was ordained to the Anglican ministry (Episcopal inthe USA), serving as assistant and as Rector in a number of parishes.  In 1954 I married Elizabeth Cleland, who taught high school and served as a Vice Principal in a number of collegiates. We have two children, Christopher and Michelle, and four grandchildren. In 1993 I married Julie Palmer. I have two stepchildren, Jessica  and Adrienne, so now I am a father, a grandfather, a stepfather, and a godfather!

I received my Master of Theology in 1961, and in 1962 I became Director of a pioneering programme called Christian Jewish Dialogue. In 1966, my book, "Christians and Jews" was published simultaneously in Canada and the United States, and I shared the Brotherhood Book Award with Dr. Martin Luther King. In 1971 I moved on to become National Director of the League for Human Rights of B'nai Brith (A.D.L. in the U.S.), a position I held until 1979. In 1979 I was elected as a Member of Parliament for Eglinton-Lawrence (Uberal) and served under Trudeau as a Parliamentary Secretary and on many standing committees, and in opposition in the shadow cabinet as critic of External Affairs, for 10 years in all.  Since then I have been writing and working as Rector of a parish. In a sense I have bad three major careers in my life-big business, the ministry, and government I feel very fortunate to have been able to enjoy such diversity in my work, and I have received all kinds of awards and recognition, but none as great as the reward of the work itself!

Roland Corneille
At our 40th reunion I enjoyed debating American Foreign Policy in Central America with Amherst alunnus Congressman Cass Ballenger. Hopes and dreams? I would like to give some lectures at Amherst. I wish future American leaders knew more about Canada from a host of perspectives-economic, social, cultural, geographic, political, etc. Our two nations can share so much to benefit the world.