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Renewed appointment of Laurentian University Chancellor

Renewed appointment of Laurentian University Chancellor

TVO’s Steve Paikin to take on second term as Chancellor until 2021

Laurentian University Board of Governors unanimously approved the renewal of Mr. Steve Paikin’s appointment as the Chancellor for a second term of three years, beginning July 1, 2018.

Mr. Paikin was appointed as Laurentian University’s second Chancellor in July 2013 for a five-year term. During that time, he has acted as Speaker of the Laurentian Model Parliament at the House of Commons five times, and assisted the University in a number of other honorary functions. He has also presided over numerous convocation ceremonies, his interaction with graduates on stage having been widely praised.

“It is a great honour to be asked to take on a second term as the Chancellor of Laurentian University – an institution whose students, faculty, staff and alumni contribute immensely to making our world healthier, more sustainable, and inclusive,” said Mr. Paikin. “I am passionately committed to collaborating with our talented Board of Governors, Senate and many institutional partners and supporters to consolidate and shape these next years at Laurentian.”

Mr. Paikin is a journalist, author, documentary film producer and well-known Canadian television personality who has contributed to Laurentian University’s national reputation. He is the anchor and senior editor of TVO’s flagship current affairs program The Agenda with Steve Paikin, which often draws its expertise from Laurentian University.  

He has been conferred with honorary degrees from Laurentian University, Victoria University at the University of Toronto, McMaster University and York University, as well as honorary diplomas from Humber College, Centennial College and Mohawk College. In 2012, Mr. Paikin was presented with a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of his significant contributions to Canadian society. In December of 2013, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada for his contributions as a journalist who engages, informs and educates viewers on a broad range of public policy issues.  He was also invested into the Order of Ontario in 2014. To date, he has authored seven books.

“We are proud to have Mr. Paikin serve as Chancellor of Laurentian University, and we are thrilled that he has accepted this appointment for a second term,” said the Chair of the University’s Board of Governors, Jennifer Witty. “Mr. Paikin embodies the shared values identified in our Strategic Plan entitled Ensemble. Together. Maamwi. and we look forward to his continued leadership as an ambassador for Laurentian.”

Laurentian honours four distinguished Canadians for improving lives and communities

Laurentian honours four distinguished Canadians for improving lives and communities

Nurse, Indigenous educator, noted architect, and dedicated philanthropist to receive Honorary Doctorates at 2017 Spring Convocation

Laurentian University will award honorary doctorates to four distinguished Canadians during its 2017 Spring Convocation ceremonies in Sudbury. This year’s recipients have dedicated themselves to helping people and improving their communities through the fields of healthcare, education, architecture, and law.

“The honorary doctorate recipients this spring have contributed to the betterment of society through their wisdom, dedication, and commitment,” said Dominic Giroux, President and Vice Chancellor, Laurentian University.  “Their selfless contributions and achievements have touched the lives of many and we are thrilled to welcome them as part of our Laurentian Alumni family.”

Among those who will receive honorary doctorates are; noted nursing researcher and advocate Louise Picard, Indigenous Elder and educator Rita Corbiere, internationally renowned architect Marianne McKenna, and Toronto lawyer and philanthropist Perry Dellelce.

“These distinguished Canadians have spent their lives doing good for others,” said Laurentian University Chancellor Steve Paikin. “I am delighted to award these honorary doctorates to these outstanding people who have excelled in their own fields while also turning their talents to improving the world around them.”

The following individuals will be awarded Honorary Doctorates at Convocation ceremonies to be held at Laurentian’s Sudbury campus:

 

Louise Picard

Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at 2:30 pm

Doctorate of Letters (honoris causa)

Headshot of Louise Picard

Louise Picard has played key roles in public health as a nurse, researcher, evaluator, educator, administrator, mentor, leader and innovator since graduating from Laurentian University’s School of Nursing. Louise began her career as a public health nurse doing home visits. In 1977, she played a key role in establishing genetic counseling services at the Sudbury and District Health Unit (SDHU), a model adopted across northern Ontario and internationally. After completing her master’s degree, she was coordinator, and later director, of the Sudbury Public Health Research, Education and Development (PHRED) program. From 1998 until 2005, she was director of the Resources, Research, Evaluation and Development (RRED) Division at SDHU. Louise’s passion for research is evidenced by her Teen Prenatal Study of health outcomes for pregnant adolescents and two provincial reports on francophone health status for which she played a lead role. Louise is recognized for her ability to encourage various sectors and disciplines to work effectively together. She initiated discussions that led to the creation of the Public Health Research Initiative Grant, now renamed the Louise Picard Public Health Research Grant. In addition, she has received the Ontario Public Health Association Honorary Membership Award and was named the Nursing Practice award recipient by the Registered Nursing Association of Ontario Sudbury and District Chapter. She is also recipient of one of Laurentian University’s 50 Years of Alumni Recognition Awards.

 

Perry Dellelce

Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at 2:30 pm

Doctorate of Laws (honoris causa)

Headshot of Perry Dellelce

Born and raised in Sudbury, Perry Dellelce is Managing Partner and co-founder of one of Canada’s largest standalone corporate finance transactional law firms, Wildeboer Dellelce LLP. Perry’s willingness to give to the ongoing prosperity of Ontario and Canada is remarkable. Perry has served in volunteer leadership roles for the Sunnybrook Foundation, Western University, the University of Ottawa, the University of Notre Dame and the Canadian Olympic Foundation. He has given of himself to drive improvements in healthcare, education, arts and culture and athletics to the benefit of all Canadians. In addition to his community service in Toronto and across Canada, Perry is a passionate advocate for Laurentian University. He was one of the most active volunteer cabinet members of Laurentian’s The Next 50 Campaign, the largest fundraising campaign in the history of Northern Ontario. Perry also spearheaded the Sudbury Families Campaign, which was directly responsible for securing $15 million in contributions from prominent members of the Sudbury community. He proudly proclaims his passion for Laurentian University and the City of Greater Sudbury each year as founder and co-chair of Toronto Celebrates Sudbury, a gala fundraising event which brings together Sudbury expatriates living in Toronto for an evening of reminiscence and celebration in support of various Sudbury-based causes. Perry Dellelce is recipient of the Albert Citation and the Purple and White Award from Western University, was inducted into the Honour’s Society of the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law and has been honoured with the Distinguished Alumni Award by the College of Business – University of Notre Dame.

 

Rita G. Corbiere

Thursday, June 1, 2017 at 10:00 am

Doctorate of Laws (honoris causa)

Headshot of Rita Corbiere

Ms. Rita Corbiere is an Anishinaabe Elder and a remarkable educator whose wisdom has been generously shared with many learners. Ginii Kwe (Wild Rose) is Ojibway/Odawa and is a member of the Wikwemikong Unceded Reserve, where she has mostly lived. She has touched many students as an educator, has led by example and has set her students on a good path by providing leadership in Indigenous ways of knowing, in health and in education. Rita’s education began in Wikwemikong where she was a student at the local school, followed by five years in residential school at the Spanish girls’ school. She then completed her Bachelor of Arts in Native and Environmental Studies at Laurentian University and her teacher training at North Bay’s Teacher College. Rita had a remarkable career as a teacher for several decades and was an elementary school principal for seven years. She is a proud speaker of the Anishinaabemowin language and a strong supporter of the language revitalization initiative in Anishinaabe territory. Rita has spent the last decade collaborating with Laurentian University, where she has made significant contributions to the academic literature in her capacity as Elder, research collaborator and co-author. She continues to be an active member in many community-based research projects, contributing as an Elder, advisor, co-author and co-presenter.  Her role has been critical in integrating Anishinaabe perspectives in academic research and helping to frame research in ways that acknowledge and contribute to Anishinaabe knowledge. Rita Corbiere is the recipient of the Anishinabek Nation Lifetime Achievement Award and the Laurentian University Native Education Person of Distinction Award.

 

Marianne McKenna

Thursday, June 1, 2017 – 2:30 pm (convocation for the charter class of the McEwen School of Architecture)

Doctorate of Laws (honoris causa)

Headshot of Marianne McKenna

Marianne McKenna founded KPMB Architects with her partners in 1987 as a hybrid model of practice based on gender equity, collaboration, diversity and excellence. Today KPMB is globally recognized as an award-winning Canadian practice. Born in Montreal, and educated at Swarthmore College and Yale University, Marianne has devoted her career to design excellence in architecture. In 2010, Marianne was named one of Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women and in 2014, one of the 50 Most Powerful People in Canada by Maclean's. In 2012, she was invested as an Officer of the Order of Canada for creating "architecture that enriches the public experience." Marianne is internationally acclaimed as the architect of the Royal Conservatory TELUS Centre and its iconic Koerner Hall, which has been praised by artists ranging from Chick Correa to Yo-Yo Ma. Her distinguished projects include the Rotman School of Management at the University Toronto, the Mike & Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum-Nano Centre at the University of Waterloo, and the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, described by the Chicago Tribune as a “spatially complex design that promises to teach valuable lessons of collaboration.” Currently Marianne is working on projects for the Brearley School in New York, historic Massey Hall in Toronto, and the Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity in Banff National Park, Alberta. Marianne's love of architecture extends to teaching, mentoring, and advocacy. In the fall of 2016, she was the Lord Norman R. Foster Visiting Professor at Yale University and she currently serves on the Board of Directors for Metrolinx.

 

About Laurentian University

Laurentian University offers an outstanding university experience in English and French, with a comprehensive approach to Indigenous education.  Laurentian University, situated on the traditional territory of the Anishinabe peoples of Atikameksheng First Nation, prepares students as agents of change and empowers them to create innovative responses to local and global challenges. Laurentian’s students benefit from small class sizes and exceptional post-graduation employment rates.  With nine Canada Research Chairs and eighteen research centres, Laurentian is a recognized leader in its specialized areas of research strength, which include mining innovation and exploration, stressed watershed systems, particle astrophysics and rural and northern children’s health. Laurentian University has secured over $200 million in research income in the past five years.

Laurentian University Recognizes Two Prominent Sudburians

Laurentian University Recognizes Two Prominent Sudburians

Rick Bartolucci, Antoni Cimolino to receive honorary doctorates at fall convocation ceremonies

Long-standing educator and politician Rick Bartolucci and Stratford Festival artistic director Antoni Cimolino will receive an honorary doctorate at Laurentian University’s fall convocation ceremonies on October 29, 2016.

“Whether on the political stage or the theatre stage this fall’s honorary doctorates have demonstrated that Arts graduates can go far,” said Chancellor Steve Paikin. “Arts education provides foundational knowledge and transferrable skills that can open a wide array of career paths if you are willing to think outside the box and be open to new unexpected opportunities.”
 

Antoni Cimolino 
Stratford Festival artistic director Antoni Cimolino.

Antoni Cimolino will have a doctorate of letters conferred upon him at the 10:00 a.m. ceremony. 

Mr. Cimolino is the artistic director for the Stratford Festival and director of the 2016 critically-acclaimed productions of Macbeth and The Hypochondriac.

Born and raised in Sudbury, Mr. Cimolino credits his first love for the theatre to his teachers at St. Charles College and Marymount College.

A respected artist and an influential leader in the global theatrical community, Mr. Cimolino began his Stratford career in 1988 as an actor, and began to direct for the Stratford Festival in the mid-1990s, winning acclaim for numerous productions.

Mr. Cimolino is passionate about enriching the lives of others through the education and practice of the arts. His dedication to this cause led him to spearhead the Festival’s involvement in a joint project with CUSO, Canada’s international volunteer co-operation agency, to establish a performing arts and educational centre in the City of Suchitoto, El Savador.
 

Long-standing educator and politician Rick Bartolucci.Rick Bartolucci

Rick Bartolucci will have a doctorate of laws conferred upon him at the 2:30 p.m. ceremony.

Mr. Bartolucci was born in Sudbury and earned a Laurentian University Bachelor of Arts degree in 1973. He worked as a teacher and school principal for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board for 30 years before entering public office as a Sudbury city councillor from 1979 to 1982 and again from 1985 to 1991.

Mr. Bartolucci proceeded to win five provincial elections and served as member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1995 to 2014, representing Sudbury for 19 years.

During those 19 years he held three Ministerial portfolios and served as Chair of Cabinet. Mr. Bartolucci’s tireless advocacy for funding was instrumental in the launch of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, the McEwen School of Architecture, the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation and the Vale Living with Lakes Centre. 
 

“We are proud to recognize two outstanding Sudburians who have the vision, ambition, and grit to take on leadership roles that improve our lives and enrich our communities,” said Laurentian University President and Vice-Chancellor Dominic Giroux. “We are proud to honour them as distinguished members of our university community.” 

Both ceremonies will take place in the Auditorium of the H. J. Fraser Building.  Media interviews can be arranged in advance of the ceremonies. 

Convocation ceremonies will be live streamed and available for media who have COMREX and Dejero capacity.

Six distinguished Canadians to receive Honorary Doctorates

Six distinguished Canadians to receive Honorary Doctorates

Chief Justice of Canada, Chief Executive of Anglo American among recipients

MAY 26, 2016 – Six distinguished Canadians from the fields of law, mining, engineering, journalism, education and social activism will be awarded Honorary Doctorates by Laurentian University at Spring 2016 Convocation ceremonies in Sudbury and Barrie.

 

Among the recipients of Honorary Doctorates this Convocation season are the Chief Justice of Canada, the Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin (May 31, 10:00 a.m.) and Suzanne Tessier, the first woman to graduate from Laurentian University’s School of Engineering. 

 

“It is a privilege for us to pay tribute to these outstanding Canadians who have led the way in their respective fields,” said Laurentian University Chancellor Steve Paikin.  “Each of them has inspired and enlightened so many others, and we are proud to celebrate them.”

 

The full list of Honorary Doctorate recipients follows:

The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, P.C (May 31, 10 am, Sudbury, ON)

Born and raised in Pincher Creek, AB, The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin is the 17th and current Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada. Appointed on January 7, 2000, she is the first woman to hold this position and is the longest serving Chief Justice in Canadian history. The Chief Justice also chairs the Canadian Judicial Council, the Advisory Council of the Order of Canada and the Board of Governors of the National Judicial Institute.

 

Mark Cutifani (June 1, 2:30 pm, Sudbury, ON)

A champion for workplace safety in mining, Mark Cutifani is the current Chief Executive of Anglo American, one of the world’s largest mining companies. He is also a member of the Board and Group Management Committee, a non-executive director of Anglo American Platinum, Chair of Anglo American South Africa and Chair of De Beers. Mr. Cutifani is the former COO for Inco and Vale’s global nickel business.

 

Suzanne Tessier  (June 1, 7:00 pm, Sudbury, ON)

Sudbury-born Suzanne Tessier was the first woman to graduate from Laurentian University’s School of Engineering (B.Eng ’79) and currently serves on the Advisory Board of Laurentian’s Bharti School of Engineering. One of her great passions has been encouraging girls and women to consider science and engineering as career choices, and mentoring new women engineers in the mining industry. She was elected to the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers Board of Directors in 2014.

 

André Picard (June 2, 10:00 am, Sudbury, ON)

As a public health journalist for The Globe and Mail, André Picard’s work has shone a light on health policy in Canada. Considered one of the country’s leading voices on health policy, his work includes articles on the treatment of thalidomide survivors and on the death toll of asbestos. He is a best-selling author and the recipient of the Michener Award for Meritorious Public Service Journalism, the Canadian Policy Research Award and the Atkinson Fellowship for Public Policy Research. 

 

Dr. Charles E Pascal (June 2, 2:30 pm, Sudbury, ON)

Dr. Charles Pascal is a Canadian educator with expertise in early and higher education, public policy and leadership development. In 2007, he was appointed Ontario’s Special Advisor on Early Learning. In June 2009, he released his seminal report With Our Best Future in Mind: Implementing Early Learning in Ontario, which has informed policy and practice across and outside of Canada.  Dr. Pascal also serves as Chair of the Ontario Council of Regents for the province’s colleges of applied arts and technology and has held several Ontario Deputy Minister positions including the Premier’s Council on Health, Well-Being and Social Justice.

 

Joseph Roberts (June 23, 2:00 pm, Barrie, ON)

Joseph Roberts is a social activist, author, motivational speaker and CEO. Born and raised in Barrie, Mr. Roberts overcame personal struggles with addiction, poverty and homelessness.  He created a foundation dedicated to youth drug prevention after entering an alcohol and drug intensive treatment program.  As a motivational speaker, Mr. Roberts has reached thousands of young people.  He is currently leading a campaign to end homelessness among youth.  He was named to the Maclean’s Magazine’s Honour Roll in 2003 and has won several awards for his public service.

A Visit from Steve Paikin

A Visit from Steve Paikin

Laurentian University chancellor, Steve Paikin, attends classes

See what Steve Paikin wrote about his experience of going to classes at Laurentian University : http://tvo.org/blog/current-affairs/steve-paikin-goes-back-to-school

Laurentian hosts second annual Leadership Summit

Laurentian hosts second annual Leadership Summit

Conference aims to build ‘Culture of Collaborative Leadership’

October, 9, 2014 – The City of Greater Sudbury and Laurentian University, with the sponsorship of Canadian Government Executive magazine, have announced the schedule for the second annual Leadership Summit to be held October 16th and 17th in Sudbury.
 

The goals of this summit are to build an innovative and collaborative leadership network, to present the latest research on leadership development, and to lay the foundation for the development of a new Leadership Institute.
 

“We built up some extraordinary momentum with last year’s inaugural Leadership Summit, and we are delighted to see that energy moving us forward,” said Laurentian University President and Vice-Chancellor Dominic Giroux.  “This is a truly collaborative undertaking and all of the partners have a real commitment to working together to grow our leadership potential.”
 

The Summit will begin with an opening reception at the Vale Cavern of Science North on the evening of October 16th.  After an official welcome from Laurentian University Chancellor Steve Paikin, keynote speaker Stephen M. R. Covey will deliver a presentation entitled “The Speed of Trust.” Covey is the New York Times and Wall Street Journal best-selling author of “The Speed of Trust—The One Thing that Changes Everything.”  He is the former CEO of Covey Leadership Centre, and led the strategy that propelled his father’s book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” to become one of the most influential business books of the 20th century.  Covey co-founded CoveyLink, a learning and consulting practice focused on enabling leaders and organizations to achieve superior performance. 
 

On October 17th, the Summit moves to the campus of Laurentian University for a full day of interactive discussions, round-table conversations and a summit keynote. 

The forum will provide an opportunity for leaders from the private, public and non-profit sectors to share their perspectives on leadership.  The Summit is also sponsored by the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI) and by Laurentian University’s Goodman School of Mines.
 

Other featured speakers at Leadership Summit 2014 include:
 

Kerry Pond, Assistant Deputy Minister, Centre for Leadership and Learning, Ontario Public Service (OPS);


Jennifer J. Deal Ph.D., senior Research Scientist at the Centre for Creative Leadership (CCL) and an Affiliated Research Scientist at the Center for Effective Organizations at the University of South Carolina.
 

Dr. Rosie Steeves, founder and President of Executive Works, an organization dedicated to helping leaders transform their organizations through effective leadership.
 

Registration details can be found at: laurentian.canadiangovernmentexecutive.ca/

Laurentian University Recognizes four eminent Canadians in 2014

Laurentian University Recognizes four eminent Canadians in 2014

Michaëlle Jean, Bruce Cockburn among Honourary Doctorate recipients

June 2nd, 2014 – Canada’s 27th Governor-General, Michaëlle Jean, and renowned singer-songwriter and activist Bruce Cockburn are among the recipients of Honourary Doctorates at Spring Convocation ceremonies at Laurentian University this year. 

Laurentian University Chancellor Steve Paikin presented the Honoris Causa (Laws) to Mme Jean at the Convocation ceremony in Barrie, May 28th.  In her Convocation address, Mme Jean spoke to graduates about the value of education and the importance of close collaborations across cultures, languages and individual differences.

“The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean has been an extraordinary role model for many people throughout her career,” said Chancellor Paikin.  “She has shown exceptional courage and dedication and, always, a tremendous amount of heart.  We look up to her, as do so many other Canadians.” 

Honourary Doctorates will also be awarded at Convocation ceremonies on the Sudbury campus, taking place from June 2nd to June 6th.

June 5th, 2014, at 10:00 a.m.

  • Blaine Nicholls, Doctorate of Laws: Blaine Nicholls was an early proponent and an influential force in the establishment of the Laurentian University School of Architecture.  He was chair of the original Northern Ontario School of Architecture community commmittee and then served on the School of Architecture project steering committee.  Former senior partner at the Sudbury architectural firm Nicholls Yallowega Bélanger Architects/Architectes, Mr. Nicholls has retired from practice and remains an active supporter of Laurentian Architecture. His family has also made a significant donation to create scholarships for Architecture students.

June 6th, 2014, at 10:00 a.m.

  • Masha Krupp, Doctorate of Letters: Masha Krupp is President and CEO of Ottawa-based The Masha Krupp Translation Group Ltd, Canada’s largest and most successful privately-held translation management firm. Born in Sudbury and raised in nearby Markstay, Ms. Krupp earned a Bachelor’s degree in French and Russian from Laurentian University and went on to found a thriving company that now employs close to 100 full-time salaried staff and 85 associate contractors.  She is a champion of the Franco-Ontarian community and an important role model for female entrepreneurs, devoting her time to mentoring the next generation of business leaders.

June 6th, 2014, at 2:30 p.m.

  • Bruce Cockburn, Doctorate of Letters: Winner of a Governor-General’s Performing Arts Award and 13 Juno Awards, Bruce Cockburn has released more than 30 albums over a career spanning four decades.  As a folk-rock singer-songwriter, he has performed in venues around the world and continues to tour widely, while his songs have been covered by many artists, including Judy Collins, Jimmy Buffet, K. D. Lang, Chet Atkins, Maria Muldaur and Jerry Garcia.  Mr. Cockburn is also renowned as a humanitarian and activist.  He has served as an international representative of aid agency OXFAM and has been deeply involved with the global campaign to ban landmines, carrying out advocacy work in countries such as Mozambique and Cambodia.   In 2002, Mr. Cockburn was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame for his powerful lyrics and his immense contribution to Canadian music.  He is an Officer of the Order of Canada.

“Each of our Honourary Doctorate recipients this year is an outstanding achiever, and each has contributed so much, in their respective spheres,” said Laurentian University President and Vice-Chancellor Dominic Giroux. “We are are proud to call them members of our university community.” 

Laurentian honours former Governor-General Michaëlle Jean

Laurentian honours former Governor-General Michaëlle Jean

Jean receives Honourary Doctorate at Convocation ceremony in Barrie


May 28, 2014 – Canada’s 27th Governor-General, the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean was today awarded an Honourary Doctorate (Laws) at Laurentian University’s Spring Convocation for graduates of programs in Barrie, Ontario. The Honourary Doctorate was presented by Laurentian University Chancellor Steve Paikin.

“The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean has been an extraordinary role model for many people throughout her career,” said Paikin. “She has shown exceptional courage and dedication and, always, a tremendous amount of heart. We look up to her, as do so many other Canadians.” 
Michaelle Jean

Born in Port-au-Prince, Mme Jean fled Haiti with her family in 1968 and came to Canada, settling in the community of Thetford Mines, Québec. She earned degrees in modern languages and literature at the University of Montréal, and pursued language studies at universities in Italy. She worked with organizations involved with immigration and wrote about the experiences of immigrant women in Canada. Later, she began a successful career at Radio-Canada and became one of the country’s most recognized and respected journalists. She anchored news and current affairs programs on both French- and English-language television networks, and also produced documentary films.

In 2005, Michaëlle Jean became the first Canadian of Caribbean origin to serve as Governor- General. During her term, she led 40 missions and state visits to countries around the world, and also navigated the potential constitutional crisis that ended with the prorogation of Parliament in 2008. She served in the vice-regal position until 2010, and soon after her term she was named Special Envoy to Haiti by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Mme Jean is also Founder and Co-Director of the Michaëlle Jean Foundation, a charitable organization that promotes and supports youth arts initiatives that “tranform young lives and revitalize underserved communities”  

Mme Jean is a Companion of the Order of Canada (CC) and has won numerous awards, including the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) Canada Award; Prix Anik for best information reporting in Canada; and the inaugural Amnesty International Canada Journalism Award. The Assemblée internationale des parlementaires de langue française bestowed upon her the Ordre des Chevaliers de La Pléiade. She was recently conferred the Grand Cross, the highest dignity from the order of the Legion of Honour of the French Republic. In addition, the Universities Fighting World Hunger international network oversees the new Michaëlle Jean Award.

“Both in her professional life and through her commitment to public service, Mme Jean has been a truly inspirational figure to Canadians,” said Dominic Giroux, President and Vice-Chancellor Laurentian University. “We are honoured to call her a member of the Laurentian University community.”