University of Guelph: Nine Honorary Degrees to Be Awarded at U of G Convocation

An acclaimed filmmaker-diplomat, advocates of Indigenous leadership and tourism, and a champion of nutrition for developing countries are among those to receive honorary degrees during summer convocation at the University of Guelph.

The ceremonies will take place between Tuesday, June 14 and Friday, June 17, with nine honorary degrees to be conferred. Nearly 3,000 graduates will attend along with about 8,500 family members and friends in U of G’s first in-person convocation ceremonies held since fall 2019.

During the week of June 23, four ceremonies will be held for the Classes of 2020 and 2021, whose grads missed their chance to cross the stage during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The return of in-person celebrations is welcome news not just for grads but also for the entire campus community, said Claire Alexander, associate director, ceremonies and events.

“There is always such a positive energy at convocation that everyone on campus has missed,” she said. “More than ever this year, we are focused on the graduates’ experience. Our grads have had such an interruption to their time on campus, and we want to make this moment of celebration of all their achievements truly memorable.”

Honorary degrees are the highest honour bestowed by the University and are meant to celebrate individuals whose accomplishments provide inspiration to the U of G community.