As part of the 2023 spring convocation ceremonies, Carleton University will bestow seven honorary degrees to remarkable individuals for their inspiring accomplishments and service to society.
"Convocation is a highlight for the entire Carleton community and we are all so proud of all of this year's graduates," said Carleton's President and Vice-Chancellor Benoit-Antoine Bacon. "I look forward to honouring their successes at Carleton and to wishing them well on their next adventure."
Each of the seven honorary degree recipients a group that includes leaders in business, government, academia, the arts, and advocacy will be bestowed a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa. At their respective ceremonies, they will share words of wisdom and advice with the assembled graduands.
Convocation ceremonies for the Class of 2023 will be held from June 12 to 16. Full schedules and ceremony details are available at https://convocation.carleton.ca/ceremony/.
2023 List of Honorary Doctorate Recipients (view full bios)
Kate Stevenson, Chair of the Board of Directors of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, and member of the boards of Open Text Corporation and Capital Power Corporation will be awarded an honorary doctorate at the 9 a.m. ceremony on Monday, June 12, in recognition of a distinguished career as a corporate director and for extensive service to the health and education sectors.
Gray Merriam, professor emeritus at Carleton University who taught and directed graduate students in the fields of population and landscape ecology, will be awarded an honorary doctorate at the 3:30 p.m. ceremony on Monday, June 12, in recognition of outstanding contributions to establishing and promoting the field of Landscape Ecology through teaching, research and outreach.
Janice Charette, former Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet will be awarded an honorary degree at the 9 a.m. ceremony on Tuesday, June 13, in recognition of outstanding dedication and distinguished service to Canadians as Clerk of the Privy Council, diplomat and humanitarian.
Liban Abokor, an accomplished non-profit executive who guides organizations in creating data-driven, evidence-based interventions and programs as the Founder and Managing Director of Reimagine LABS, will be awarded an honorary degree at the 3:30 p.m. ceremony on Tuesday, June 13, in recognition of leadership in making philanthropy more justice-oriented and better prepared to serve Black communities.
Ibrahim Gedeon, Chief Technology Officer for TELUS, a leading telecommunications company in Canada will be awarded an honorary degree at the 12:30 p.m. ceremony on Wednesday, June 14, in recognition of a distinguished career in the Canadian and international telecommunications and engineering industries.
Vikas Swarup, a novelist and former diplomat will be awarded an honorary degree at the 9 a.m. ceremony on Friday, June 16, in recognition of a distinguished career as both a high-ranking diplomat and award-winning author of fiction.
Barbara Dumont-Hill, former Elder adviser to the Canadian Department of Justice legal team working with the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and current knowledge-keeper with Carleton's Ojigkawanong Centre will be awarded an honorary degree at the 12:30 p.m. ceremony on Friday, June 16, in recognition of her outstanding contributions as an advisor and community volunteer working to improve the lives of Indigenous peoples.
