Nipissing unveils Honorary Degrees for 2012
Nipissing University is very pleased to announce that the Right Honourable Paul Martin, Grand Chief Stan Louttit, Dr. Dennis Mock, Roxanne Joyal and the Honourable William G. Davis will accept the university’s highest mark of distinction, an honorary degree, during the 2012 convocation ceremonies, June 13 - 15.
“This is a stellar group of individuals, including a Prime Minister, a Premier, a Grand Chief, a University President and a founding member of Free the Children,” said Vicky Paine-Mantha, Nipissing University President and Vice-Chancellor (interim). “The university is deeply honoured that these amazing leaders feel strongly enough about Nipissing University, our mission and our future, to support and recognize us through the acceptance of an honorary degree.”
The Right Honourable Paul Martin is Canada’s 21st Prime Minister. His many achievements include a $41 billion healthcare improvement initiative; a landmark agreement for a national early learning and childcare program; and building a consensus to ensure the provision of equal opportunity for Canada’s Aboriginal population. Currently, Mr. Martin is responsible for the Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative, which recently recognized Nipissing’s Aboriginal Student Links program. The initiative aims to reduce the Aboriginal youth dropout rate and increase the number of Aboriginal students attending postsecondary institutions. The Right Honourable Paul Martin will accept his honorary degree on June 13, at 9:30 a.m.
Grand Chief Stan Louttit is presently in the second year of a three-year term as Grand Chief of Mushkegowuk Council. Grand Chief Louttit is a Cree from the Albany Band who resides in Moose Factory, and was raised in Attawapiskat. He has devoted more than 25 years to the field of politics to improve the lives of the people in his region. He is known for his leadership and his advocacy work on housing, clean water, resource extraction and other issues affecting the lives of First Nations people in the Mushkegowuk territory. Grand Chief Louttit will accept his honorary degree on June 14, at 2 p.m.
Dr. Dennis Mock is the fourth President and Vice-Chancellor of Nipissing University, serving in that role from 2003-2009, following a one-year term as Interim President. As President, Mock led an engaging and inclusive strategic planning process that would guide the university’s future development. He embarked the institution on a major fundraising campaign to generate funds for the priority project, the Harris Learning Library, and in so doing forged long-lasting relationships with students, alumni, and community partners. During his presidency, he also established an Institutional Planning Office and played an integral role in establishing the high profile Lakers men’s hockey team. His 36 years of dedication and passion for the post-secondary education sector had a significant and lasting impact on Nipissing University. Mock will receive his honorary degree on June 14 at 9:30 a.m.
Roxanne Joyal is Co-CEO of Me to We, an innovative social enterprise that provides people with better choices for a better world, and a founding member of Free the Children. Me to We promotes socially conscious and environmentally friendly clothes and accessories, as well as life-changing international volunteer trips, leadership training programs and materials, and books that address issues of positive social change. Joyal is directly responsible for corporate and family engagement at Me to We, and leads social and economic empowerment initiatives for women in Kenya, India and Ecuador as founder of Me to We Artisans. Joyal will receive her honorary degree on June 15 at 9:30 a.m.
The Honourable William G. Davis is the 18th Premier of Ontario, a position he held for 14 years, from 1971 – 1985. His support of and role in Canada’s constitutional negotiations was pivotal in achieving the 1982 Constitution. Davis also served Ontario as Minister of Education and Minister of University Affairs. During his political career, he established many new public schools, undertook dramatic revisions of Ontario's school board system, created new universities and community colleges, and established the TV Ontario educational television network. The Honourable William G. Davis will accept his honorary degree on June 19 during the Nipissing Brantford convocation ceremony.