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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
  • Spring 2025 Honorary Degrees

    Mr. Donato Ardellini, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Environmental 360 Solutions, is recognized for his visionary leadership in the Canadian environmental management sector, commitment to higher education philanthropy, and dedication to the community.  

    Ms. Janet Bannister, Founder and General Partner of Staircase Ventures, is recognized for her visionary and exceptional leadership in the Canadian technology ecosystem, and her significant contributions to innovation and business growth in Canada.

    Ms. Arlene Dickinson, Founder and General Partner of District Ventures Capital, and former mentor on the hit television program Dragons’ Den, is recognized for her exceptional leadership in Canadian business, innovation and philanthropy, and her demonstrated commitment to community service.

    Dr. Christopher Mushquash, Professor at Lakehead University and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine University, and the Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Mental Health and Addiction, is recognized for his devotion to advancing Indigenous mental health, his innovative work to improve the quality of life and care for Indigenous youth and communities, and for the impact of his research in influencing federal funding policies for First Nations.

    Mr. Stephen Poloz, the ninth Governor of the Bank of Canada (2013 to 2020), and current board member of Enbridge and CGI Inc., is recognized for his exemplary record of leadership and commitment to Canada’s economic prosperity, and qualities of strength and accountability that align with Ontario Tech’s values of integrity, respect, and honesty.

    The Honourable Michael H. Tulloch, Chief Justice of Ontario and President of the Court of Appeal for Ontario, is recognized for his distinguished leadership within the Ontario and Canadian judiciary, his tireless commitment to advancing inclusive justice, and his unwavering advocacy for diversity and equity.

  • Fall 2024 Honorary Degrees

    Mr. Edmond Vanhaverbeke and Ms. Sylvia Lisk Vanhaverbeke, longtime philanthropists and community leaders in Durham Region, are recognized for their significant contributions to higher education, health care, the arts and conservation, as well as their enduring support of Ontario Tech University through scholarships and campus development.

    Dr. Alan Shepard, President of Western University since 2019 and former President of Concordia University, is recognized for his leadership in higher education, advocacy for diversity and inclusion, and his promotion of innovation, university-industry partnerships, and transformational education models.

  • Spring 2024 Honorary Degrees

    Mr. Desmond Cole, prominent Canadian journalist, broadcaster, author, and champion of inclusion and diversity, for his leadership as one of Canada’s strongest voices in raising awareness about anti-Black racism, his work as an advocate, activist and journalist, and his significant connections to communities across Durham Region.

    Dr. Jacqueline Gahagan, Associate Vice-President of Research at Mount Saint Vincent University, for their distinguished contributions in health-equity research and advocacy, informing public policy for equitable health care, activism in support of equity-deserving populations with rights-based grassroots organizations, and dedication to HIV prevention, care, treatment and support in Canada and globally.

    Ms. Roberta Jamieson, an accomplished lawyer who was the first First Nations woman to earn a law degree in Canada, for her tireless advocacy for the rights and autonomy of Indigenous peoples, her leadership in the field of alternative dispute resolution, her efforts to improve education funding, access and opportunities for Indigenous youth, and for being a role model for those in public life, particularly women and Indigenous people.

    The Honourable Julie Thorburn, a Justice with the Court of Appeal for Ontario, for her advocacy for improved access to justice and community service with underserved groups in Ontario, francophones and young women, her demonstration of the values of integrity as a member of the justice system, and her promotion of equity, intellectual resilience and innovation in her career trajectory.

  • Fall 2023 Honorary Degrees

    Ms. Laura Dottori-Attanasio, President 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 Clarkson, who 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