Honorary Degrees

The University confers “honorary” degrees which symbolize the highest honour that can be conferred upon an individual by the University. An honorary degree may be awarded in recognition of scholarly or creative achievements or distinguished public service to the country or region.

At Convocation, the degree is awarded honoris causa, or “for the sake of honour”. A hood is also given to the recipient and it may be worn to any academic affair. Recipients of these degrees become honorary alumni of the University and they may affix, after their names, the abbreviation of the degree.

Photo of JP Gladu

JP Gladu
Honorary Doctorate of Commerce

JP Gladu is currently the Principal of Mokwateh and previously served as the President and CEO of the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business for approximately eight years. Mr. Gladu has nearly 35 years of experience in the natural resource sector, including working with Indigenous communities and organizations, environmental non-government organizations, industry, and governments from across Canada and the globe.

Mr. Gladu serves on the boards of Suncor, the Institute of Corporate Directors, and BHP’s Forum for Corporate Responsibility. He completed a forestry technician diploma from Sault College, obtained an undergraduate degree in forestry from Northern Arizona University, holds an Executive MBA from Queen's University, an ICD.D from the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management, and an honorary doctorate in law from Carleton University.

He is a senior fellow with the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and served as the Chancellor of St. Paul’s University College at the University of Waterloo from 2017 to 2020. JP’s achievements have been recognized through the Public Policy Forum as a prestigious 2024 Honouree and the Premier's Award.

Photo of Margaret Kenequanash

Margaret Kenequanash
Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters

Margaret Kenequanash has spent over 20 years leading initiatives to bring reliable power to First Nations in northern Ontario. She has been the CEO of Wataynikaneyap Power since August 2017, an Indigenous-led, licensed transmission entity that brought grid connection to remote First Nations previously powered by diesel generators. Margaret has a vast wealth of knowledge gleaned from over 25 years in various senior leadership positions, including being on the Sioux Lookout Municipal Council from 1990-1994 and Executive Director of the Shibogama First Nations Council from 2005-2017. Margaret carries the distinction of being the first female Chief in her community at North Caribou Lake First Nation when she was elected in 1996. She is well known and respected throughout First Nation communities and government for her work in promoting opportunities to facilitate a better quality of life for First Nation Peoples.

Photo of Jennifer Podemski

Jennifer Podemski
Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts

Director, writer, producer, and actor Jennifer Podemski hails from Toronto but proudly calls Barrie home. Jennifer's artistic journey has been shaped by her rich Anishinaabe (First Nation) and Ashkenazi (Jewish) heritage.

Jennifer's acting career took flight with a standout performance as Sadie in Bruce McDonald's iconic film, Dance Me Outside. Driven by a profound desire to address the underrepresentation of Indigenous voices in the entertainment industry, she co-founded Big Soul Productions, a ground-breaking Indigenous-owned and operated full-service film and television production and post-production company.

In 2005, Jennifer established Redcloud Studios Inc., where she continues to create, produce, write, and direct remarkable content. Notable works include five seasons of the captivating paranormal television series, The Other Side, and the award-winning, critically acclaimed limited series, Little Bird.

Jennifer has graced screens with roles in popular shows like Degrassi, Republic of Doyle, Take This Waltz, Blackstone, Hard Rock Medical, Cardinal, and the upcoming comedy, Don’t Even. Among her proudest achievements is her leading role in Empire of Dirt, which earned her a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress and recognition for Best Screenplay, breaking barriers for Indigenous women in the industry.

Beyond her artistic endeavors, Jennifer's passion for empowering Indigenous voices led her to establish The Shine Network Institute in 2020, a Canadian not-for-profit dedicated to advancing the careers of Indigenous women within the screen, media, and creative arts sectors.

Ligaya Byrch

Ligaya Byrch
Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters

With a track record of service and success in supporting LGBTQ+ communities across Ontario, Ligaya Byrch started her work as a volunteer in the community of Windsor and on campus at the University of Windsor. This activism grew in popularity and recognition as she created her award-winning spoken-word show, LesBiQ Airwaves on CJAM Radio.

Ms. Byrch completed a master's degree in Sociology (Applied Social Research) in 1999 at Laurentian University. Her thesis focused on HIV+ women living in northeastern Ontario because at the time, HIV+ women had little voice in the HIV pandemic, and they deserved to be heard. She further completed an MSW at Dalhousie University in 2014 and maintains her registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. Ms. Byrch co-authored a chapter in Queering Social Work Education, a book used in many social work programs across the country.

Ms. Byrch was involved in developing the needs assessment and collection of information required to write a proposal, which led to the funding of primary health care for Transgender Individuals living in Simcoe Muskoka. Located in Orillia, this clinic serves over 3,000 people and is the only one of its kind between Toronto and Sudbury.

Her work has spanned the fields of healthcare, non-profit community health, public health, family health teams, community health centers, and hospitals. As past Chair, she continues to serve as a director for the Orillia Soldiers Memorial Hospital Board.