Dr. Wealthy Barber
Our very good friend and company president, David Chilton, is so smart, so successful, and so generous at mentoring others, that Wilfrid Laurier University is giving him an honourary doctorate today! Way to go, Dave! There’s just one small issue: he wants us to call him “Doctor” from now on at the office, and I think he’s only half joking! I said I’d call him Dr. Seuss or Dr. Doolittle, but not Doctor Chilton, as I felt that title should be reserved for “real” doctors, to which he took offence, saying he was a “real” doctor now. So I said, “Well, could you take out my appendix, cuz it’s been bothering me” and he didn’t like my snarky remark one bit. Oh well. We’re very proud of Dave and if anyone deserves this honour, it’s him. I’m off the ceremony right now and can’t wait to see him in his gown and cap. If I can get a photo, I’ll post it tomorrow. Then I might REALLY need medical attention!
P.S. It’s now 4:10 pm and I’m back from the ceremony, which was great. Dave gave an excellent speech, as usual, and the graduates were hanging on his every word. By the way, he was completely joking about us calling him Dr. Chilton. He’s not into titles at all and really just wants to be called “Dave” by everyone! He wouldn’t wear the hat, and he took the gown off pretty fast after the ceremony, so I couldn’t get the great photo I was hoping for 
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Stephanie | June 9, 2006 at 10:27 am →
Ouch. So my hard-earned PhD doesn’t make me a “real” doctor? Physicians came to be called “doctor” long after PhDs! Sure, I’m also not going to take anyone’s appendix out any time soon, but neither is a psychiatrist, or a GP, or a medical researcher…
My degree calls me “doctor”. Why shouldn’t others? I think I just got demoted by a blog!!
Greta Podleski | June 11, 2006 at 4:42 am →
Hi Stephanie! Thanks for your comment. You haven’t been “demoted!” I was just kidding around with Dave when I said he wasn’t a “real” doctor. I can imagine how much work it takes to earn a PhD and I can honestly tell you that I’d NEVER be able to study for that long. You should be very proud of your education and I definitely think people should refer to you as “doctor” if you want them to. Sorry if I accidentally insulted you. I didn’t mean it that way!!
Dixie | June 12, 2006 at 2:13 am →
I hope I’m not putting my foot in my mouth, but I think that most people, at least I would object to, someone using the title of Dr. when it is given as an honorary title. I understand that to be a title that has not been earned by years of study, but rather is a title that was just handed over to someone to honor them. Any one who has actually studied for and earned that distinction is certainly entitled to be called Dr., and my hat is off to you for your admirable hard work.
Margo | June 12, 2006 at 10:17 am →
I have a hunch that although David Chilton did not go the “academic” precontrived route to his doctorate, he nonetheless “earned” it, quite possibly just as much as one who earns a doctorate the way Stephanie and other PhD’s earned theirs. For somebody to be honored in this way, I have to believe it is a reflection of a great deal of hard work, sacrifice, and contribution to our society and that they are as deserving of recognition as the next guy. I don’t imagine honorary doctorates are just handed over, and not actually earned. I say this from the perspective of a mom who homeschools my children (one who has graduated with a very fat transcript and is successfully pursuing a career as a Fire Fighter), and gets into these conversations from time to time with folks who haven’t considered that there are (especially these days) a myriad of ways to get an “education”. A student may have a lengthy impressive transcript from a local school, or an impressive but eclectic portfolio of experience and studies which were gleaned outside of the walls of an institution; both have toiled over a given body of material, persevered through tedium, achieved goals, sacrificed, taken intitiative, etc. I honor and esteem both, as I honor and esteem Dr. Chilton, Dr. Stephanie, and Dr. Anybody, especially those whose hard work is serving others and making our world better. I love Janet and Greta’s success story including their humble beginnings with David Chilton (and his mother!) encouraging them and supporting them financially. It’s people like him who often don’t get the recognition they truly deserve so I join Janet and Greta in singing his praises. Interesting also, that he’s apparently quite a humble guy! That makes him extra cool.
Janet Podleski | June 12, 2006 at 8:37 pm →
This is a message for Margo:
I’m very impressed with your writing style and skills. You express yourself very, very well. (I’ve noticed how articulate you are in other comments that you’ve submitted to our site as well.) Do you use your writing skills in the course of your work? If not, you should!
Margo | June 13, 2006 at 12:50 am →
Dear, Dear Janet,
I have to say THANK YOU! I appreciate your compliment very much because my work for the most part is within my home and network of friends and family. Children learn by example, and my kids certainly see their mom writing, and are subject to listening to, reading and critiquing my writing. I often use too many words, so I force myself to try to be succinct (SO difficult for some of us females!). Writing, for me, is a tool for my own enjoyment and to express ideas I feel strongly about. Because I have enjoyed your cookbooks and your writing so much, and have a lot in common with you girls in our quest for a healthy good life, sharing thoughts on your site has been a lot of fun for me. I don’t have time for much wandering around on the internet (thankfully!), but I do enjoy the opportunity to communicate here. You really made my day.
Bless you.