President DeGagné receives Order of Canada

Governor General David Johnston recently presided over a ceremony at Rideau Hall to invest 45 recipients into the Order of Canada, including Nipissing University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mike DeGagné, C.M. The ceremony to invest 45 recipients into the Order of Canada — 12 officers and 33 members, took place on November 18, 2015. The announcement that DeGagné would be receiving the distinction was made on December 26, 2014.

DeGagné was recognized for his support of residential school survivors and First Nations communities, notably as the head of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, where he served as Executive Director from 1998 to 2012.  In addition, his two-years serving as President and Vice-Chancellor of Nipissing University, and his 27 years of public sector leadership working as an Executive with provincial and federal agencies as well as numerous roles in the volunteer sector, contributed to his induction in the Order.

Other notable Canadians being honoured included retired Canadian Astronaut, Chris Hadfield; former governor of the Bank of Canada, Mark Carney; Blue Rodeo founding duo Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor; and international expert on early reading and literacy, Dr. Charles Pascal, who received an honorary doctorate of education from Nipissing in 2011.

The Order of Canada was created in 1967, during Canada’s centennial year, to recognize outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. Since its creation, more than 6,000 people from all sectors of society have been invested into the Order.