Honorary Degrees
Honorary Degrees 1990 - Present
Please note: this list of honorary degrees is periodically updated. Additional information on degree recipients can be found in our convocation programs, which are scanned and available online at and are also available in the University Archives.
Spring 2023 update
| Name: | Degree: |
| Dr. Bob Dawson | Doctor Of Civil Law, Honoris Causa |
Winter 2023
| Name: | Degree: |
| Dr. Stan Hartling | Doctor Of Commerce, Honoris Causa |
Spring 2022
| Name: | Degree: |
| Dr. James Curleigh | Doctor Of Commerce, Honoris Causa |
| Dr. Roger Lewis | Doctor of Letters, Honoris Causa |
| Dr. Bill Linton | Doctor Of Commerce, Honoris Causa |
| Dr. Karen Oldfield, QC | Doctor Of Commerce, Honoris Causa |
Fall 2021
| Name: | Degree: |
| Dr. Michael McCain | Doctor Of Commerce, Honoris Causa |
Winter 2020
| Name: | Degree: |
| Dr. Gerry Mills | Doctor of Civil Law, Honoris Causa |
Fall 2019
| Name: | Degree: |
| Dr. John A. Young | Doctor of Civil Law, Honoris Causa |
| Dr. Gloria J. Borden | Doctor of Civil Law, Honoris Causa |
Spring 2019
| Name: | Degree: |
| Dr. Al MacPhee | Doctor Of Commerce, Honoris Causa |
| Dr. Senator Dan Christmas | Doctor of Civil Law, Honoris Causa |
| Dr. Her Excellency Lady Sandra Williams | Doctor of Civil Law, Honoris Causa |
| Dr. Padraig O’Malley | Doctor of Civil Law, Honoris Causa |
Winter 2019
| Name: | Degree: |
| Dr. Scott Armour McCrea | Doctor Of Commerce, Honoris Causa |
| Dr. Hope Swinimer | Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa |
Fall 2018
| Name: | Degree: |
| Dr. Rustum Southwell | Doctor Of Civil Law, Honoris Causa |
Spring 2018
| Name: | Degree: |
| Dr. Dominic Barton | Doctor Of Commerce, Honoris Causa |
| Dr. Bernie Francis | Doctor of Civil Law, Honoris Causa |
| Dr. Paul Gauthier | Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa |
| Dr. Robert (Rob) G. Steele | Doctor of Commerce, Honoris Causa |
Winter 2018
| Name: | Degree: |
| Dr. Judy Dietz | Doctor of Civil Law, Honoris Causa |
| Dr. Melvin (Mel) Boutlier | Doctor of Letters, Honoris Causa |
September 2017
| Name: | Degree: |
| Dr. Heather J. Armstrong (Commander) (Retired) | Doctor of Civil Law, Honoris Causa |
| Dr. Ian G. McKay |
Doctor of Civil Law, honoris causa |
May 2017
| Name: | Degree: |
| Dr. William Ritchie | Doctor of Commerce, Honoris Causa |
| Dr. Louise Bradley | Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa |
| Dr. Joseph Jabbra | Doctor of Civil Law, Honoris Causa |
| Dr. John Fitzpatrick | Doctor of Civil Law, Honoris Causa |
| Dr. Donald Julien | Doctor of Civil Law, Honoris Causa |
October 2016
| Name: | Degree: |
| Dr. Joelle (Joey) Berdugo Adler | Doctor of Commerce, Honoris Causa |
| Dr. Thomas (Tim) Moore | Doctor of Commerce, Honoris Causa |
May 2016
| Name: | Degree: |
| Dr. Douglas McGregor | Doctor of Commerce, Honoris Causa |
| Dr. Bassam Nahas | Doctor of Commerce, Honoris Causa |
| Dr. Kim Phuc Phan Thi | Doctor of Civil Law, Honoris Causa |
| Dr. Maureen Reid | Doctor of Civil Law, Honoris Causa |
| Dr. Pauline Scott | Doctor of Civil Law, Honoris Causa |
| Dr. Annette Verschuren | Doctor of Civil Law, Honoris Causa |
January 2016
| Name: | Degree: |
| Dr. John Richard Bond | Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa |
| Dr. Colleen Mary Johnston | Doctor of Commerce, Honoris Causa |
October 2015
| Name: | Degree: |
| Dr. Jean Paul Deveau | Doctor of Commerce, Honoris Causa |
| Dr. A. Wayne MacKay | Doctor of Civil Law, Honoris Causa |
| Dr. Brian O’Brien | Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa |
May 2015
| Name: | Degree: |
| Dr. Taleb Abidali | Doctor of Civil Law, Honoris Causa |
| Dr. Monique Leroux | Doctor of Commerce, Honoris Causa |
| Dr. John McArthur | Doctor of Commerce, Honoris Causa |
| Dr. Terry O’Reilly | Doctor of Civil Law, Honoris Causa |
| Dr. John Sullivan | Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa |
| Dr. Julie Toskan-Casale | Doctor of Civil Law, Honoris Causa |
January 2015
| Name: | Degree: |
| Dr. C. Mark Cleary | Doctor of Civil Law, Honoris Causa |
| Dr. Claire Miller | Doctor of Letters, Honoris Causa |
| Dr. Gerry Pond | Doctor of Commerce, Honoris Causa |
| Dr. Michele Wood-Tweel, F.C.A. | Doctor of Civil Law, Honoris Causa |
October 2014
| Name: | Degree: |
| Dr. Don Connolly | Doctor of Civil Law, Honoris Causa |
| Dr. Rania Llewellyn | Doctor of Commerce, Honoris Causa |
| Dr. Fred MacGillivray | Doctor of Commerce, Honoris Causa |
May 2014
| Name: | Degree: |
| Bonnie Brooks | Doctor of Civil Law, Honoris Causa |
| Major-General Blaise Cathcart | Doctor of Civil Law, Honoris Causa |
| Judith Irving | Doctor of Civil Law, Honoris Causa |
| Dr. Ivar Mendez | Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa |
| Dr. Neil Turok | Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa |
January 2014
| Name: | Degree: |
| Flemming, Brian | Doctor of Civil Law |
| Lecker, Sheri | Doctor of Civil Law |
October 2013
| Name: | Degree: |
| Toney-Shay Knockwood, Isabelle | Doctor of Civil Law |
| MacDonald, Colin | Doctor of Commerce |
| Mercer, Terry | Doctor of Civil Law |
May 2013
| Name: | Degree: |
| Beker, Jeanne | Doctor of Civil Law |
| Robertson, Heather | Doctor of Commerce |
| Oliver, Donald | Doctor of Civil Law |
| Allan, Elyse | Doctor of Fine Arts |
| Medjuck, Ralph | Doctor of Civil Law |
January 2013
| Name: | Degree: |
| Chris Power | Doctor of Civil Law |
| George Han Hwa Kwan | Doctor of Civil Law |
October 2012
| Name: | Degree: |
| Besim Halef | Honorary Doctorate of Commerce |
| Gloria McCluskey | Honorary Doctorate of Civil Law |
| Edward McBride | Honorary Doctorate of Civil Law |
| Fred Smithers | Honorary Doctorate of Commerce |
May 2012
| Name: | Degree: |
| Robert Pace | Honorary Doctorate of Commerce |
| Dennis Deters | Honorary Doctor of Civil Law |
| Arlene Dickinson | Honorary Doctorate of Commerce |
| Mayann E. Francis | Honorary Doctorate of Civil Law |
| Jim Lotz | Honorary Doctorate of Civil Law |
| Stuart McLean | Honorary Doctorate of Civil Law |
January 2012
| Name: | Degree: |
| Hayes, Lawrence (Larry) J. | Doctor of Civil Law |
| Riteman, Philip | Doctor of Civil Law |
October 2011
| Name: | Degree: |
| George, Fred | Doctor of Commerce |
| Godsoe, Dale | Doctor of Civil Law |
| McCarthy, Danny | Doctor of Commerce |
May 2011
| Name: | Degree: |
| Aucoin, Peter | Doctor of Civil Law |
| Dennis, Sarah | Doctor of Commerce |
| Gillis, Helen | Doctor of Civil Law |
| Hardy, Leica | Doctor of Fine Arts |
| Savoie, Donald | Doctor of Civil Law |
| Sobey, Paul D. | Doctor of Commerce |
October 2010
| Name: | Degree: |
| Bennet, James | Honoris Causa |
| Moore, Jeff and Debra | Doctor of Civil Law |
May 2010
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| Name: | Degree: |
| Durland, J. Michael | Doctor of Commerce |
| Dyer, Paul | Doctor of Commerce |
| Gilfoy, Neville | Doctor of Civil Law |
| Irving, Sandra | Doctor of Civil Law |
| Mongeau, Claude | Doctor of Commerce |
| Rowe, Patricia | Doctor of Science |
October 2009
| Name: | Degree: |
| Dr. Frederic Wien | Doctor of Civil Law |
| Bernard Riordon | Doctor of Civil Law |
May 2009
| Name: | Degree: |
| Armitage, Steve | Doctor of Civil Law |
| Fares, Wadih | Doctor of Commerce |
| Kinnear, James | Doctor of Commerce |
| Moore, Sister Dorothy | Doctor of Civil Law |
| Nutt, Samantha | Doctor of Civil Law |
| Swinemar, Dianne | Doctor of Civil Law |
October 2008
| Name: | Degree: |
| Clarke, George Elliott | Doctor of Letters |
| de Chastelain, General John | Doctor of Civil Law |
| Young, Carol D. | Doctor of Civil Law |
May 2008
| Name: | Degree: |
| Badawi, Jamal | Doctor of Civil Law |
| Donahoe, Arthur Richard | Doctor of Laws |
| Mooney, Gary | Doctor of Commerce |
| Smithers, Nancy | Doctor of Civil Law |
October 2007
| Name: | Degree: |
| Borden, Walter | Doctor of Civil Law |
| Fairfax, Reverend Donald | Doctor of Civil Law |
| Moore, Hon. Wilfred P. | Doctor of Laws |
May 2007
| Name: | Degree: |
| Duckworth, Muriel | Doctor of Civil Law |
| Freeman, Hon. Myra | Doctor of Civil Law |
| Grace, David | Doctor of Commerce |
| Hope, David | Doctor of Commerce |
| Leahey, Stephen | Doctor of Civil Law |
| Rae, Capt. Andrew | Doctor of Civil Law |
October 2006
| Name: | Degree: |
| Chard, Elizabeth A. | Doctor of Civil Law |
| Deveau, Louis E. | Doctor of Commerce |
| McCreath, Hon. Peter L. | Doctor of Civil Law |
May 2006
| Name: | Degree: |
| Belliveau, Robert G. | Doctor of Laws |
| Connolly, Patrick J. | Doctor of Civil Law |
| de Nerciat , Baroness May Man-Yue Sun | Doctor of Civil Law |
| Kennedy, Joseph P. | Doctor of Laws |
| MacDonald, Marjorie-Anne | Doctor of Letters |
| Roche, Douglas | Doctor of Civil Law |
October 2005
| Name: | Degree: |
| MacDonald, Michael | Doctor of Commerce |
| Pobihushchy, Sid | Doctor of Civil Law |
| van Gurp, Hendrika M. | Doctor of Civil Law |
May 2005
| Name: | Degree: |
| Clarke, Lorne O. | Doctor of Laws |
| Homburg, Richard | Doctor of Commerce |
| West, Anne | Doctor of Letters |
| Luckett, Pete | Doctor of Civil Law |
| Moorehead, Colleen | Doctor of Civil Law |
| Perinbam, Lewis | Doctor of Civil Law |
November 14, 2004
| Name: | Degree: |
| F. Wayne Adams | Doctor of Civil Law |
| George L. Barron | Doctor of Science |
| Janet F. Kitz | Doctor of Letters |
| Chief Lawrence Paul | Doctor of Civil Law |
March 28, 2004
| Name: | Degree: |
| Ken Dryden | Doctor of Civil Law |
May 21, 2004
| Name: | Degree: |
| Sara H. Basson | Doctor of Civil Law |
| Daniel M. Brownlow | Doctor of Civil Law |
| Burris Devanney | Doctor of Civil Law |
| Graham W. Dennis | Doctor of Civil Law |
| Frank J. Hayden | Doctor of Civil Law |
| Marjorie M. Scardino | Doctor of Commerce |
November 9, 2003
| Name: | Degree: |
| Krishna Ahooja-Patel | Doctor of Letters |
| Malachi C. Jones | Doctor of Laws |
| Kenneth F. Moore | Doctor of Civil Laws |
June 5, 2003
| Name: | Degree: |
| Mary Robinson | Doctor of Civil Laws |
May 23, 2003
| Name: | Degree: |
| Harold G. Coward | Doctor of Civil Laws |
| Flora Isabel MacDonald | Doctor of Civil Laws |
| Carloyn S. Shoemaker | Doctor of Science |
| Luca Codignola | Doctor of Letters |
| J. Chalmers Doane | Doctor of Fine Arts |
| Nancy L. Knowlton | Doctor of Commerce |
May 24, 2002
| Name: | Degree: |
| William J. Bryson SJ | Doctor of Civil Laws |
| John Savage | Doctor of Civil Laws |
| Simon Spatz | Doctor of Civil Laws |
| Phyllis Grosskurth | Doctor of Letters |
| Terence Kelly | Doctor of Fine Arts |
| James J. “Skip” Oliver | Doctor of Laws |
| Mansfield (Jim) Brock | Doctor of Commerce |
October 27, 2002
| Name: | Degree: |
| Hon. Alan Rockwell Abraham | Doctor of Civil Laws |
| Anne M. Fawcett | Doctor of Commerce |
| Daniele Sauvageau | Doctor of Civil Laws |
| Austin Willis | Doctor of Fine Arts |
October 21, 2001
| Name: | Degree: |
| Cora de Jong Greenaway | Doctor of Fine Arts |
| John George Flemming | Doctor of Civil Laws |
| Paul M. Tellier | Doctor of Civil Laws |
October 4, 2001
| Name: | Degree: |
| Jean Beliveau | Doctor of Civil Laws |
May 15, 2001
| Name: | Degree: |
| Mary Ashworth | Doctor of Education |
| Terence Richard Boyd Donahoe | Doctor of Laws |
| Sara Lee Lewis | Doctor of Letters |
| Garnet Brown | Doctor of Commerce |
| E. Leo Kolber | Doctor of Laws |
| David Palmer Petrie | Doctor of Science |
October 22, 2000
| Name: | Degree: |
| Elizabeth Ann Duggan | Doctor of Sciences |
| Constance R. Glube | Doctor of Laws |
| Hanan Mikhail-Ashrawi | Doctor of Civil Laws |
May 12, 2000
| Name: | Degree: |
| Guy L. Noel | Doctor of Civil Laws |
| Terrance Michael Punch | Doctor of Letters |
| Bruce S. C. Oland | Doctor of Letters |
October 17, 1999
| Name: | Degree: |
| A. Kevin Francis | Doctor of Commerce |
| Richard E. Franklin | Doctor of Commerce |
| Eligio M. Gaudio | Doctor of Commerce |
| Gao Shan | Doctor of Commerce |
| Irwin D. Simon | Doctor of Commerce |
| Grace White | Doctor of Commerce |
May 13, 1999
| Name: | Degree: |
| Scott D. Tremaine | Doctor of Science |
| C. William Eliot | Doctor of Letters |
| Doane Hallett | Doctor of Laws |
| Martha L. Jodrey | Doctor of Education |
October 25, 1998
| Name: | Degree: |
| Tadashi Okudaira | Doctor of Education |
October 9, 1998
| Name: | Degree: |
| Mary McAleese | Doctor of Civil Laws |
May 11, 1998
| Name: | Degree: |
| Edward John Flinn | Doctor of Laws |
| Linda Carvery | Doctor of Letters |
| Sheree Lynn Fitch | Doctor of Letters |
| Sherman Hines | Doctor of Letters |
| John G. Keith | Doctor of Commerce |
October 19, 1997
| Name: | Degree: |
| John Amagoalik | Doctor of Civil Law |
| Jack Buckley | Doctor of Civil Law |
| Diane Marie Francis | Doctor of Commerce |
| Linda Moore | Doctor of Letters |
May 12, 1997
| Name: | Degree: |
| I. King Jordan | Doctor of Civil Laws |
| Robert P. Kelly | Doctor of Commerce |
| Tomas B. Berry | Doctor of Letters |
| Douglas Fetherling | Doctor of Letters |
October 20, 1996
| Name: | Degree: |
| P. Michael Maher | Doctor of Commerce |
| Diane E. McGarry | Doctor of Commerce |
| J. Phillip Vaughan | Doctor of Science |
May 15, 1996
| Name: | Degree: |
| J. Bruce MacKinnon | Doctor of Letters |
| Donald Graham Tremaine | Doctor of Civil Laws |
| Louis R. Comeau | Doctor of Commerce |
| Vigdis Finnbogadottir | Doctor of Civil Law |
| Leo Margolis | Doctor of Science |
October 22, 1995
| Name: | Degree: |
| R. Irene d’Entremont | Doctor of Commerce |
| Ron Wallace | Doctor of Civil Laws |
May 12, 1995
| Name: | Degree: |
| Sylvia D. Hamilton | Doctor of Letters |
| Frank Stronach | Doctor of Commerce |
| R. David Thomas | Doctor of Commerce |
| Sidney van den Bergh | Doctor of Sciences |
| V. Maureen Kempston Darkes | Doctor of Commerce |
| Hector Jacques | Doctor of Commerce |
October 23, 1994
| Name: | Degree: |
| William Sefton Fyfe | Doctor of Science |
| Bridglal Pachai | Doctor of Civil Law |
| Denis Joseph Patrick Ryan | Doctor of Laws |
| Judith Mary Sapp | Doctor of Civil Laws |
May 9, 1994
| Name: | Degree: |
| Sister Evelyn Rae Purdy Pollard | Doctor of Letters |
| Ronald Wan Hay Wong | Doctor of Civil Law |
| Doctor of Laws |
October 24, 1993
| Name: | Degree: |
| Louise Frechette | Doctor of Laws |
| Lewis Whaeton MacKenzie | Doctor of Civil Laws |
| Margaret Elizabeth McCully | Doctor of Sciences |
| Surendra J. Patel | Doctor of Laws |
May 12, 1993
| Name: | Degree: |
| Cheung Tsang Chung | Doctor of Commerce |
| Richard Marvin Hansen | Doctor of Civil Laws |
| Ron V. Joyce | Doctor of Commerce |
| Jane Shaw Law | Doctor of Letters |
| Louise Lore | Doctor of Letters |
October 25, 1992
| Name: | Degree: |
| Philip Alfred Buckner | Doctor of Letters |
| Ovide W. Mercredi | Doctor of Civil Laws |
| Eric Peter Milledge | Doctor of Commerce |
| Jeannine Guillevin Wood | Doctor of Commerce |
May 11, 1992
| Name: | Degree: |
| Matthew William Barrett | Doctor of Commerce |
| Roberta Lynn Bondar | Doctor of Sciences |
| Nelly Beveridge Gray | Doctor of Letters |
| Anna Porter | Doctor of Letters |
October 20, 1991
| Name: | Degree: |
| William Andrew Dimma | Doctor of Commerce |
| Lydia Pauline Makhubu | Doctor of Laws |
| Patrick G. Malone | Doctor of Laws |
May 13, 1991
| Name: | Degree: |
| Frank Baldwin | Doctor of Civil Laws |
| Naomi Hersom | Doctor of Civil Laws |
| Gerhard Herzberg | Doctor of Science |
| David F. Sobey | Doctor of Commerce |