Humber Polytechnic will confer honorary degrees on Chief of the Defence Staff General Jennie Carignan, Indigenous advocate and leader Roberta Jamieson and Canadian basketball icon Jamaal Magloire during its Fall 2026 Convocation ceremonies.
"This week, we will honour three exceptional Canadians whose achievements have transformed organizations, communities and lives. Through their courage, vision and commitment to others, General Jennie Carignan, Roberta Jamieson and Jamaal Magloire have shown what it means to lead with impact," said Ann Marie Vaughan, president and CEO, Humber Polytechnic. "Their accomplishments are an inspiration to our graduates and a reminder that each of them has the brilliant potential to contribute new ideas, tackle complex challenges and build a future that has yet to be imagined."
General Jennie Carignan:
General Carignan has served Canada with distinction for more than three decades, leading military operations at home and abroad while helping shape the future of the Canadian Armed Forces.
In 2003, she became the first woman to serve as deputy commander of a Canadian combat arms unit. She later led an Engineering Regiment in Afghanistan and served as commandant of Royal Military College Saint-Jean. Promoted to brigadier-general in 2016, Carignan continued her rise through the senior ranks of the Canadian Armed Forces. As commander of the 2nd Canadian Division, she led more than 10,000 soldiers and spearheaded crisis operations during the 2019 flood relief efforts in Quebec. She later commanded the NATO Mission in Iraq from 2019 to 2020.
In 2024, Carignan was appointed Chief of the Defence Staff, becoming the first woman to lead the Canadian Armed Forces as Canada's highest-ranking military officer.
Roberta Jamieson:
Born and raised on the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, Roberta Jamieson has dedicated her career to advancing Indigenous education, leadership and opportunity. In 1976, she became the first First Nations woman in Canada to earn a law degree. She went on to build a distinguished career as a lawyer, mediator and advocate. Jamieson later became the first woman appointed Ombudsman of Ontario and the first woman elected Chief of the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. In 2016, Jamieson was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada.
As president and CEO of Indspire, Jamieson expanded access to postsecondary education and career development opportunities for Indigenous students across Canada. Today, she continues to provide leadership through her service on corporate and non-profit boards.
Jamaal Magloire:
Jamaal Magloire has left a lasting impact on Canadian basketball, both on and off the court. Raised in Scarborough, Magloire won two Ontario high school basketball championships with Eastern Commerce Collegiate Institute before capturing an NCAA national championship with the University of Kentucky and being selected in the 2000 NBA Draft.
During his 12-season NBA career, Magloire became the second Canadian-born NBA All-Star and the first Canadian-born player to suit up for the Toronto Raptors. He later contributed to the Raptors' 2019 NBA championship as a member of the team's coaching staff and continues to support the organization as an advisor and community ambassador.
Through the Jamaal Magloire Foundation, he supports underserved youth through scholarships, mentorship and community initiatives that promote education, personal growth and leadership.
Magloire was inducted into the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame this past August.
More than 3,500 graduates will cross the stage during Humber Polytechnic's Fall 2026 Convocation ceremonies. To learn more about this year's honorary degree recipients, visit the Convocation webpage.
