Our new Planewave CDK24 telescope is named the Dr. Ralph M. Medjuck Telescope. He and Mrs. Shirlee Medjuck made a substantial contribution towards the recent renewal of the observatory.

(the information below is reproduced from Dr. Medjuck's SMU honorary degree information)

For more than half a century, Halifax has been the canvas for Ralph Medjuck's developments. As Chairman and CEO of The Centennial Group Limited, a leading real estate development company and its affiliates, he has been responsible for many of the city’s renowned structures including downtown office buildings, seniors’ facilities, apartment buildings, Park Victoria, the Citadel Inn, the Lord Nelson Hotel, the Prince George Hotel and the Cambridge Suites Hotel.

Born and raised in Halifax, Ralph Medjuck attended Dalhousie University, receiving his Law degree in 1954 and practising with the firm Medjuck, Buchanan & Dickson. For his work and contributions to the community and development professions, Dalhousie University honoured him with a Doctor of Laws degree in 2006.

Mr. Medjuck is one of five inspirational leaders who will receive Honorary degrees on  May 17 at the Halifax Metro Centre. Other recipients include Elyse Allan President and Chief Executive Officer of GE Canada; Fashion icon Jeanne Beker; Honourable Dr. Donald H. Oliver, Q.C.,the Speaker pro tempore of the Senate; and Justice Heather Robertson, a Judge for the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia.

A Passion for Development

Following practising law, Ralph Medjuck became a real estate developer, a passion and profession he continues to this day. He became associated with prominent public real estate companies, and ventured west for development projects in New Brunswick, Alberta, and ultimately in Ontario with the Yonge Richmond Centre and the Cambridge Suites Hotel in downtown Toronto. As well, he led Centennial into Assisted Housing, Nursing Homes---notably Northwood Manor---and Student Residential housing for Saint Mary’s University, Acadia University and the University of New Brunswick.

Active in the Community

A strong community advocate, he has served as Chairman of the Halifax-Dartmouth United Appeal and the Neptune Theatre Foundation, as a Director of the Nova Scotia Rehabilitation Council, the Canadian Mental Health Association, the Nova Scotia Human Rights Foundation, the Halifax Police Boy’s Club and the Canadian Housing Design Council. He has also served as a council member for the Halifax Board of Trade, was a founding Governor of the International Development Research Centre and was a member of the Board of Governors of Dalhousie University. Since 1965 he has been an active Director of the Central Guaranty & Trust Company.

A Man of Faith

Ralph Medjuck is also passionate about his role in the Jewish community and has served in many capacities including as Director of the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews, the Canada Israel Foundation and the University Outreach Committee; and Chairman of the Canadian Jewish Congress- Atlantic Region, the United Jewish Appeal, Camp Kadimah and the State of Israel Bonds - Halifax.

Ralph Medjuck has received many honours including the Queen's Jubilee Medal in 2002 and the Tourism Industry Association's Tourism Vision Award in 2004. In 2009, he was inducted into the Junior Achievement Nova Scotia Business Hall of Fame.