Two Nipissing University alumni have been recognized for their remarkable dedication to service with one of Canada's most distinguished honours. Paige Trudeau-Shemilt (BBA '15) and Macrina Perron (BA '03) were awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal during a special ceremony on campus on April 25, 2025.
(from left to right:) Peter Chirico, North Bay Mayor, Kelly Grover, CEO of Cystic Fibrosis Canada, Macrina Perron, King Charles III Coronation Medal recipient, Paige Trudeau-Shemilt, King Charles III Coronation Medal recipient, Dr. Kevin Wamsley, President & Vice Chancellor, and the Honorable Anthony Rota, MP.
The Coronation Medal commemorates the ascension of His Majesty King Charles III and honours individuals who have made significant contributions to their communities or to Canada. For both recipients, past winners of Nipissing's Philanthropy Alumni Award, this recognition speaks to decades of passion-driven work in education, advocacy, and volunteerism.
Macrina Perron (BA '03) and Paige Trudeau-Shemilt (BBA '15)
"While we're giving out medals to individuals today, I also want you to know we have a powerful collective of people standing with these two women who have helped to change countless lives, and you cannot get better than that," said Kelly Grover, President and CEO of Cystic Fibrosis Canada.
"The Coronation Medal celebrates those who lead with compassion and a commitment to making the world better," said Bridgette Perron, Alumni Relations Coordinator at Nipissing. "Both Macrina and Paige have been extraordinary examples of that. We're so proud to honour them where their journeys began."
Trudeau-Shemilt has been a driving force behind several community initiatives, including Jordan's Bash for Hope; a fundraiser in memory of her late husband that supports colon cancer awareness and North Bay families in need. For more than 12 years, she's also volunteered with Cystic Fibrosis Canada, inspired by the strength and resilience of those living with the disease.
"Receiving the King Charles III Coronation Medal is a true honour," said Trudeau-Shemilt. "It symbolizes something much greater than myself. It's a tribute to the people and communities that have inspired me, and to the impact of small acts of service over time."
Professionally, she has spent the last 14 years at Oxford Learning North Bay, helping students gain confidence, discover their potential, and overcome academic challenges. One of her proudest moments was seeing a student she first taught at age four, who had faced many learning barriers, begin her studies at Nipissing University with dreams of becoming a teacher.
Perron's career has been shaped by a deep sense of empathy and a lifelong drive to advocate for others. After earning her degree in Liberal Arts, Sociology, and English at Nipissing, she began working with Indigenous youth in Northern Labrador, many of whom had experienced trauma, abuse, and addiction. That early experience set the tone for her ongoing work in social services, where she's spent years amplifying the voices of those facing injustice and systemic barriers.
Perron says her time at Nipissing played a pivotal role in shaping her approach to advocacy. "As a student at Nipissing, I was a first-generation student in my family, so everything I did, I did for the first time on my own," she said. "That gave me the opportunity to really stand on my own two feet and advocate for myself; and do things that hadn't been done before. Being a first-generation student is probably what gave me the courage to do what I've done with cystic fibrosis."
Her work with Cystic Fibrosis Canada has been both personal and purpose-driven. "Everything I've ever done was for the future of my children," she said. "My journey might have looked a little different, but in my mind, I'm not doing anything that any other mom wouldn't do. To be recognized for doing what you're just expected to do: to fight for your kids and for people who can't fight for themselves, is really, really special. And to receive this honour here, on this campus, makes it even more meaningful."
