Honorary Degrees

Honorary Degrees

Each year, Laurentian University solicits recommendations from the university community for potential candidates for an honorary degree.


The awarding of honorary degrees is an important feature of Laurentian’s convocation and is meant to honour both the individual and the university, as well as inspire our graduates, their families and guests.

Sue Johanson et Tannys Laughren

The university’s honorary degree recipients are selected from
individuals who:

  • Have made outstanding contributions to intellectual advancements in key disciplines offered at Laurentian;
  • Reflect the university’s values: students first, excellence, academic freedom, respect, alumni, diversity, truth, integrity, inclusiveness;
  • Have been or have the potential to be significant benefactors of the university either creatively, materially or financially;
  • Have made outstanding contributions to northeastern Ontario; or
  • Have the ability to enhance the reputation of Laurentian University through their outstanding contributions in their fields at the national or international levels.


Solicited in January of every year, nominations are accepted when accompanied by a short biography and rationale for why this person should be considered.

If you know of a worthy candidate, please email president@laurentian.ca. Letters of reference are not required at this time. Candidates must not be aware of the nomination.

Hon doc2

Honorary Doctorate Recipients

2020s

2025

  • ​Thomas (Tom) R. Greco, Laws
  • Kristan Straub, Laws
  • Dawn Madahbee Leach, Laws
  • Luciano (Lu) Galasso, Laws

2024

2020

  • Margarete Kalin-Seidenfaden, Sciences

2010s

2019

 

2018

 

2017

  • Louise Picard, Letters
  • Perry Dellelce, Laws
  • Rita G. Corbiere, Laws
  • Marianne McKenna, Laws

 

2016

 

2015

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

2010

2000s

2009

  • David Dodge, Laws
  • Bruce Ferguson, Letters
  • Raymond Kinoshameg, Laws
  • Felix Lopes Sr., Laws
  • James Orbinski, Sciences
  • Lorraine Petzold, Laws

 

2008

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

1990s

1999

  • Louise Arbour, Laws
  • Denis F. Cheff, Business Administration
  • Claire Dimock, Business Administration
  • Nicholas Goldschmidt, Letters
  • Guy A. Goulard, Laws
  • Spyros Loukidelis, Laws
  • Donald Obonsawin, Letters

 

1998

  • John I. Clark, Sciences
  • Morris Duhaime, Sciences
  • Hélène Gravel, Letters
  • Tom Jackson, Letters
  • Gérald Janneteau, Letters
  • Basil H. Johnston, Laws

 

1997

 

1996

 

1995

 

1994

 

1993

 

1992

  • Tom Angus, Sciences
  • Margaret R. Borley, Laws
  • Mary Lou Fox Radulovich, Laws
  • Alan J. Johnson, Education
  • Oliver T. Jones, Music
  • Tak Wah Mak, Sciences
  • J. Arthur Pharand, Business Administration
  • George J. Zytaruk, Letters

 

1991

 

1990

1980s

1989

  • Molly R. Hancock, Social Work
  • John Frank Leyerle, Letters
  • Daniel E. Pine Sr., Laws
  • Alec D. Thorpe, Sciences

 

1988

 

1987

 

1986

  • Herbert E. Brown, Laws
  • R.G. Brian Dickson, Laws
  • Paul-Émile Filion, Letters
  • James Grassby, Laws
  • Paul Lacombe, Sciences
  • (Ontario) Terry Mancini, Laws
  • Benoit R. Mandelbrot, Sciences
  • Edward Newbery, Laws
  • Arthur Solomon, Laws
  • Patterson Webster, Letters

1985

  • Robert Campeau, Business Administration
  • Chris Doherty, Laws
  • Don L. James, Laws
  • Nigel M. Kensit, Law
  • Anton Kuerti, Music
  • J. W. McNutt, Laws
  • Robert Perras, Laws
  • Alibert St-Aubin, Laws

 

1984

 

1983

  • Walter Curlook, Sciences
  • Clifford Fielding, Sciences
  • Gérard Gardner, Sciences
  • Conrad Lavigne, Laws
  • John C. MacIsaac, Sciences
  • William B. Plaunt, Laws
  • Maurice Saulnier, Letters
  • Mary Whelan, Laws

 

1982

 

1981

 

1980 

1970s

1979

 

1978

 

1977

 

1976

 

1974 

 

1973

  • Donald J. LeRoy, Sciences
  • J. d’Auteuil Richard, Letters
  • Keith Spicer, Laws

1972

 

1971 

 

1970

1960s

1969

 

1968

  • Louis P. Bonneau, Laws
  • David S. Holbrook, Laws
  • W.G. Schneider, Laws
  • Henry S. Wingate, Laws

 

1967

 

1966

 

1965

 

1964

  • Benjamin F. Avery, Laws
  • William Wright, Laws

 

1963

 

1962

 

1961