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Ontario Tech acknowledges the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.

We are thankful to be welcome on these lands in friendship. The lands we are situated on are covered by the Williams Treaties and are the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, including Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi. These lands remain home to many Indigenous nations and peoples.

We acknowledge this land out of respect for the Indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island, also called North America, from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. Most importantly, we acknowledge that the history of these lands has been tainted by poor treatment and a lack of friendship with the First Nations who call them home.

This history is something we are all affected by because we are all treaty people in Canada. We all have a shared history to reflect on, and each of us is affected by this history in different ways. Our past defines our present, but if we move forward as friends and allies, then it does not have to define our future.

Learn more about Indigenous Education and Cultural Services

Honorary degrees

Honorary degrees recognize persons who have made an outstanding intellectual and/or scholarly contribution in their chosen field of academic eminence; have provided outstanding service and/or contributions to public service; have made major contributions in areas relevant to the mission of the university; and/or have contributed to Durham Region/Northumberland County.

Honorary Degree Recipients
  • Fall 2023 Honorary Degrees

    Ms. Laura Dottori-AttanasioPresident and Chief Executive Officer at Element Fleet Management, for her outstanding leadership in Canada’s financial industry, and her legacy of professional accomplishments and community involvement, and her strong advocacy for inclusion, acceptance and diversity.

    Ms. Judy Goldring, President and Head of Global Distribution at AGF Management Limited, for her renowned leadership in the asset management industry, her advocacy for diversity and inclusion, her community philanthropy, and for her reputation as one of Canada's most influential businesswomen.

  • Spring 2023 Honorary Degrees

    The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarksonwho served as Canada’s 26th Governor General, for her remarkable work as a role model and champion of inclusion and diversity, and for her dedication to public service and educating Canadians about national issues that reflect our values of integrity and respect.

    Dr. Mike DeGagné, President and CEO of Indspire, an Indigenous national charity that invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples, for his lifetime of work in advancing Indigenous health and education, his national efforts to promote Indigenous reconciliation and healing, and his leadership legacy across Canada’s post-secondary sector.

    Ms. Christine Elliott, Health Law Counsel at Fasken Martineau DuMoulin in Toronto, and former Deputy Premier of Ontario and Ontario Minister of Health, for her outstanding legacy of public service, volunteerism, advocacy for inclusion and acceptance, and contributions toward improving the lives of thousands of people in Durham Region.

    Mr. Sheldon Levy, President and Vice-Chancellor of University Canada West, previous President and Vice-Chancellor of Toronto Metropolitan University, and former Ontario Tech University Vice-President, Finance and Strategy, in recognition of his more than 30 years as a leader in Canada’s higher education sector: a champion of institutional innovation, student entrepreneurship, and of Canadian leadership in the global digital economy.

    Mr. John Ralston Saul, award-winning essayist, novelist and widely acclaimed as one of Canada’s leading thinkers, for his contributions to Canadian literature, his philosophies on social justice, interdisciplinary study, freedom of expression, and championing of Indigenous rights.

    Dr. Samir Sinha, Director of Geriatrics at Sinai Health and the University Health Network, the Peter and Shelagh Godsoe Chair in Geriatrics at Sinai Health, and the Director of Health Policy Research at the National Institute on Ageing at Toronto Metropolitan University, for his tireless work as an advocate for older persons, and his contributions to the development and implementation of new health and social care models, standards and policies to support our ageing population at the provincial, national and international levels.

    Ms. Christina Sorbara, Vice-President of Corporate Knowledge, Sorbara Group of Companies, for her renowned leadership in the real estate development industry, community volunteerism, philanthropic endeavours that have contributed greatly to the growth of Durham Region and beyond, and her success as a national team athlete.

    Mr. Edward Sorbara, Principal of the Sorbara Group of Companies, for his outstanding accomplishments in business, his commitment to building a culture of philanthropy and a lifetime of charitable and volunteer service, attributes which align with Ontario Tech’s key values of integrity, inclusion, intellectual resilience and innovation.

  • Class of 2022 Honorary Degrees

    Mr. Jeffrey Boyce and Mrs. Julia Boyce, President of Evsam Holdings and Philanthropist, for their strong commitment to volunteerism and philanthropic contributions to the communities of Durham Region, for their championing of education, of young women pursuing education and young women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), and for their steadfast ambassadorship of Ontario Tech University.

    Dr. Naheed Dosani, Palliative Care Physician and Ontario Tech class of 2008 alum, for his relentless advocacy for health and human rights, his trailblazing achievements in delivering community-based hospice palliative care to society’s most vulnerable individuals regardless of their housing status or factors such as poverty, mental health or substance addiction and his ongoing commitment to humanitarian efforts.

    Mr. Christian Lassonde, Founder and Managing Partner, Impression Ventures and Director, Lassonde Family Foundation, for his outstanding work as a business leader and entrepreneur, his dedication as a mentor for the next generation of professionals, and his commitment and support to education and health care through philanthropy and volunteer activities. 

    Ms. Rania Llewellyn, President and Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors of the Laurentian Bank of Canada, for her significant business successes, her leadership in driving growth and change, and for promoting diversity in the workplace, and her continuing commitment to supporting new Canadian immigrants.

    Mr. John Tavares, Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, for his outstanding work as a Canadian athlete, his dedication as a role model to aspiring young athletes, and for inspiring the next generation to build a better world for themselves and their generation.

    Ms. Phyllis Webstad, Founder and Executive Director of the Orange Shirt Society and Author of Phyllis’s Orange Shirt, for her profound storytelling and raising awareness about the residential school system, her advocacy for Indigenous Peoples, and her commitment to providing Indigenous Peoples with a platform to having their voices heard.

  • Class of 2021 Honorary Degrees
    Mr. Andreas Apostolopoulos

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa
    Faculty of Business and IT

    Dr. Mohamed Lachemi

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa
    Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science

    The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney and Mrs. Mila Mulroney

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa
    Faculty of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science and Faculty of Science

    Mr. Paul Ralph

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa
    Faculty of Health Sciences

    Ms. Tanya Talaga

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa
    Faculty of Social Science and Humanities

    Ms. Noreen Taylor

    Doctors of Laws, honoris causa
    Faculty of Education

  • Class of 2020 Honorary Degrees
    The Right Honourable David Johnston and Mrs. Sharon Johnston

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa
    Class of 2020, all faculties

    Note: degrees awarded in June 2021 during the Class of 2020 virtual convocation ceremony.

  • Class of 2019 Honorary Degrees
    Ms. Kate Beirness

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa
    Faculty of Business and IT and Faculty of Science

    Mr. Al Libfeld

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa
    Faculty of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science and Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science

    The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa
    Faculty of Education and Faculty of Social Science and Humanities

    Ms. Annette Verschuren

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa
    Faculty of Health Sciences

  • Class of 2018 Honorary Degrees
    The Honourable Frank Iacobucci

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa
    Faculty of Health Sciences

    Mr. Craig Kielburger & Mr. Marc Kielbruger

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa
    Faculty of Education and Faculty of Social Science and Humanities

    Dr. Maria Klawe

    Doctor of Science, honoris causa
    Faculty of Business and Information Technology and Faculty of Science

    Mr. Kenneth Knox

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa
    Faculty of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science and Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science

  • Class of 2017 Honorary Degrees
    The Honourable Sarabjit (Sabi) Marwah

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa
    Faculty of Business and Information Technology and Faculty of Science

    Ms. Shirlee Sharkey

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa
    Faculty of Education and Faculty of Health Sciences

    Ms. Jeanette Southwood

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa
    Faculty of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science and Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science

    Elder Shirley Williams

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa
    Faculty of Social Science and Humanities

     

  • Class of 2016 Honorary Degrees
    The Honourable Perrin Beatty

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa
    Faculty of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science and Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science

    Mr. Robert Houle

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa
    Faculty of Social Science and Humanities

    Ms. Kathryn (Kate) Lines

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa
    Faculty of Business and Information Technology and Faculty of Science

    Mr. Neil Pasricha

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa
    Faculty of Education and Faculty of Health Sciences

  • Class of 2015 Honorary Degrees
    Mr. Grantley Morris

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa
    Faculty of Social Science and Humanities

    Dr. Jean Moss

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa
    Faculty of Education and Faculty of Health Sciences

    Mr. Desmond Newman

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa
    Faculty of Business and Information Technology and Faculty of Science

    Mrs. Helen Vari

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa
    Faculty of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science and Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science

  • Class of 2014 Honorary Degrees
    Mr. Robert Deluce

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa

    Mr. Gary Edgar

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa

    Ms. Mary Haddad

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa

    Dr. Ilse Treurnicht

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa

  • Class of 2013 Honorary Degrees
    Dr. Clement Bowman

    Doctor of Science, honoris causa

    Mr. Garry Cubitt

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa

    Ms. Elizabeth Dowdeswell

    Doctor of Science, honoris causa

    Mr. Peter Mackinnon

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa

    Mr. Andre Picard

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa

    Mr. Robert Strickert

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa

    Mr. Lorne Trottier

    Doctor of Science, honoris causa

  • Class of 2012 Honorary Degrees
    Mrs. Laura Formusa

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa

    Mr. Tom Mitchell

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa

    Mr. Ken Shaw

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa

  • Class of 2011 Honorary Degrees
    Dr. Edward Broadbent

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa

    Mr. Daniel Carter

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa

    Dr. Doris Grinspun

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa

  • Class of 2010 Honorary Degrees
    Ms. Lyn McLeod

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa

    Dr. Gary Polonsky 

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa

  • Class of 2009 Honorary Degrees
    Mr. Donald McGillis 

    Doctor of Science, honoris causa

    Mr. Vernon White

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa

  • Class of 2008 Honorary Degrees
    Dr. Avis Glaze

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa

    Mr. William Lishman

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa

  • Class of 2007 Honorary Degrees
    Mr. Robert Baun

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa

    Mr. James O'Donnell

    Doctor of Laws, honoris causa

    Dr. David Sanborn Scott

    Doctor of Science, honoris causa