Directory of honorary doctorates

After Roger Blais earned a doctorate in economic geology at the University of Toronto in 1954, he went on to quickly achieve prominence in mining geology, developing a number of prospecting and exploration technologies. In the 1960s, he was a leader in the development of Earth sciences in Canada. In 1970, he became a professor in economic geology and the first director of research at Montreal's École polytechnique, where he was a pioneer in establishing productive partnerships between universi...
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As one of the world's foremost architects, Douglas Cardinal has worked tirelessly at setting the aspirations of human beings above the needs of an impersonal system. The result is immediately evident in the buildings he has designed for the world. The son of a game warden, Cardinal grew up in Alberta with a unique Canadian perspective drawn from his parallel European and native roots. For Cardinal, the creation of any building is an intense spiritual act that demands the best from everyone in...
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Her outstanding achievements have brought her to Canada’s highest office and upon entering Rideau Hall, Adrienne Clarkson brought with her the values she has always defended. She takes every opportunity to promote the national identity and to foster a greater appreciation of the cultural diversity and richness of Canada. Eager to advance Canada as a “unique project”, she has set forth on a mission to help raise the awareness and appreciation of Canadians for the complex and pacifist nature of t...
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Mr. Justice Charles Doherty Gonthier is among the most eminent and respected figures in Canadian legal circles. His decisions have reinforced the notions of equity and good faith in law, especially in the area of contracts. A 1951 law graduate from McGill University, Gonthier was admitted to the Quebec bar a year later and practised law with several distinguished Montreal firms, which earned him the designation of Queen's Council in 1971. He became a judge of the Quebec Superior Court in 1974....
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The University will also recognize Herb Gray’s exceptional contribution to political life and a career entirely devoted to serving Canada’s population. First elected to Parliament in 1962, he was reelected 12 times in subsequent federal elections, which constitutes a record both in terms of number of victories and length of service: 39 years, six months and 26 days as Liberal MP for Windsor-West. In government, Herb Gray held ten different cabinet portfolios under three prime ministers. Having...
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Shirley Greenberg has been a trail-blazer in the Canadian women's movement for most of her adult life. She helped found the Ottawa Women's Centre, from which subsequently developed the Rape Crisis Centre, the Women's Career Counselling Centre and Interval House, a refuge for battered women. She entered the University of Ottawa's law school in the 1970s, while still busy raising three children. After obtaining her law degree, Greenberg went on to create the first all-female law practice in Otta...
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Ryoji Noyori has spent more than 40 years in selfless devotion to science, engaged in work that has yielded substantial technical advances with highly practical implications. Two years ago he shared the Nobel Prize in chemistry for his accomplishments. During the 1970s, Noyori's pioneering research yielded a new molecule called BINAP, whose properties opened up new possibilities in chemistry and chemical engineering, and made existing processes more efficient. This innovation was especially w...
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As president and chief executive officer of Torstar Corporation, Robert Prichard is responsible for maintaining the success of Harlequin books, an undisputed international champion in the publishing world. He is also in charge of the well-being of a major newspaper chain, which includes Canada's largest daily, the Toronto Star. Prichard is also called upon to uphold the principles of a company that fosters a host of progressive social causes. Prichard came to his current position two years ago...
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On April 4, 2001, Roy Romanow was appointed to head the Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada. The commission's final report entitled "Building on Values" offers a blueprint for updating and improving the way Canadians deal with all aspects of health. Romanow earned arts and law degrees from the University of Saskatchewan. He was first elected to the Saskatchewan legislature in 1967, the first stage of an outstanding 34-year political career. He was one of the key players in the fe...
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The University of Ottawa honoured His Excellency Rudolf Schuster, President of the Slovak Republic. President Schuster, who was in Ottawa for a private visit, received an honorary doctorate from University Chancellor Huguette Labelle.A civil engineer and author of numerous books on a variety of subject, Rudolf Schuster became the first elected president of Slovakia in 1999. His links to the University of Ottawa date back to his time as ambassador of Czechoslovakia to Canada. During his time in ...
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